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Winterize your home before the first sustained freeze: clear gutters, check the roof drainage and nearby trees, seal drafts, insulate the attic and exposed plumbing, arrange heating and chimney maintenance, test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and stage supplies for a power outage. During a freeze, protect vulnerable pipes and use generators or alternate heaters only with the ventilation and clearances specified by the National Weather Service (NWS). The right details depend on your local climate, construction, codes, and utility procedures.
Use a seasonal plan instead of a last-minute dash
Start when leaves begin to fall and finish the safety checks before your area’s first likely freeze. A short inspection in early fall gives you time to hire a qualified professional for roof, chimney, furnace, electrical, or tree work that is unsafe to do yourself. Repeat the most important checks after a major windstorm, ice event, or extended outage.
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| When | What to do | Why the timing matters |
|---|---|---|
| Early fall | Clean gutters; inspect visible roof drainage; look for weak branches; review local forecasts and utility procedures. | Leaves and debris can block drainage, and tree work is easier before ice or snow adds weight. |
| Before sustained cold | Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows; insulate exposed pipes and the attic as appropriate; schedule furnace and chimney checks. | Sealing and maintenance are safer and more effective before equipment is under heavy demand. |
| Before storm season | Test alarms; replace batteries as needed; gather lighting, food, water, medicines, heating fuel, and other outage supplies. | Stores, roads, electricity, telephone service, and heat may be unavailable during a storm. |
| During or after a freeze | Keep vents clear, watch for frozen plumbing, and inspect for leaks or storm damage when conditions are safe. | Snow, ice, and frozen pipes can create hazards that were not present during the initial preparation. |
Use local forecasts and instructions from your city, county, state, utility, and emergency-management office for requirements that vary by jurisdiction. This is especially important where winter weather overlaps with flooding, wildfire, severe wind, or other regional hazards.
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Start outside: drainage, roof edges, and trees
Clean gutters and verify the drainage path
Remove leaves, nests, and other debris from gutters and downspouts. Confirm that water can move through the downspouts and discharge away from the foundation rather than pooling beside it. If a roof edge, steep slope, fragile surface, or ladder location is unsafe, do not climb it; arrange a qualified professional instead. A ground-level look can still reveal sagging gutters, detached sections, overflowing joints, or downspouts that terminate against the house.
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After cleaning, look for signs of water entry in the attic, at ceilings near exterior walls, and around the foundation. These observations do not replace a roof inspection, but they help you identify a problem before a freeze turns trapped water into an ice-related repair.
Reduce ice-storm tree hazards
Inspect trees and large limbs near the house, driveway, power lines, and walkways. NWS ice-storm guidance recommends trimming weak or damaged branches and avoiding parking under trees. Hire a qualified tree professional for branches that are high, near utility lines, cracked, or beyond safe reach. Do not attempt tree work while branches are iced, winds are strong, or the ground is unstable.
Move vehicles before an expected ice storm when possible. Keep a clear route to doors and utility shutoffs, and identify a safe place for family members and pets away from windows if branches or wires begin to fall.
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Caulk and weatherstrip openings
Inspect the perimeter of exterior doors and windows for visible gaps, daylight, cracked sealant, or moving weatherstripping. Apply an appropriate exterior caulk where a fixed joint needs sealing, and replace worn weatherstripping where a door or operable window needs a flexible seal. Follow the product and surface instructions; some materials will not adhere to wet, dirty, frozen, or incompatible surfaces.
Check less obvious openings as well: service penetrations, attic hatches, sill areas, and pipe or cable entries. Do not seal over a required combustion-air opening, dryer exhaust, plumbing vent, or other opening that must remain open. If you are unsure whether an opening is intentional, ask a qualified contractor or code official before closing it.
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Insulate the attic appropriately
The NWS home-winterization checklist includes attic insulation. The correct amount and installation method depend on the home’s age, climate zone, roof design, ventilation, and existing materials. Keep insulation away from fixtures and equipment that require clearance, and do not block soffit or other designed ventilation. A professional can identify moisture, air-leak, or electrical issues before adding material.
Protect exposed plumbing
Insulate exposed hot- and cold-water pipes where the material is suitable for the pipe and location. Foam sleeves are one option for accessible sections, but the sleeve must fit the pipe diameter and be installed without hiding leaks or interfering with valves, fittings, or required clearances. Pipes are especially vulnerable when they run along exterior walls or through basements, attics, crawlspaces, garages, and under kitchen cabinets.
Open cabinet doors under sinks during an extreme cold spell if doing so allows warm household air to reach pipes. Protecting plumbing does not mean leaving a space heater unattended or placing heat near combustible materials. If a plumbing area is normally unheated, ask a licensed plumber or building professional about a safe, code-compliant solution for your construction and climate.
What to do if a pipe freezes
A frozen pipe may show as little or no water from a faucet, a sudden drop in pressure, or frost on an exposed section. Treat it as a potential leak: know where the main water shutoff is, and keep access clear before winter begins.
- Open the affected faucet. This relieves pressure as ice melts and gives you an indication when flow begins returning.
- Warm the pipe safely. NWS advises using a space heater, heating pad, electric hair dryer, or hot water applied to a cloth. Start near the faucet and work toward the blockage so melting water can escape through the open tap.
- Stay present while heating. Keep electrical equipment dry, maintain the manufacturer’s clearances, and keep heat away from curtains, paper, insulation, and other combustibles.
- Stop if the pipe leaks or conditions worsen. Close the main water shutoff if necessary and call a plumber. A pipe can split inside a wall and leak only after thawing.
Never use an open flame, torch, charcoal burner, or other flame source to thaw plumbing. When water pressure does not return to normal, several fixtures are affected, or the frozen section is inaccessible, professional help is the safest next step.
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Prepare heating equipment and the chimney
Arrange maintenance before cold weather
Have the furnace checked before cold weather if it has not received its recommended service or if it shows unusual noise, odor, cycling, weak airflow, or ignition problems. Keep the service record and the equipment instructions where an adult can find them. Do not remove safety controls or attempt fuel-system repairs beyond your training.
Inspect the chimney before using a fireplace or wood stove. A qualified chimney professional can identify blockages, damaged liners, creosote, loose masonry, or clearance problems. Keep the area around the appliance clear of combustibles and use only the fuel and operating method specified for that appliance.
Vent every heat source correctly
Alternative heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, and fuel-burning appliances require proper ventilation. Blocked flues or vents can send combustion gases into the home. Keep outside vents clear of leaves and debris, and clear snow from vents during or after a storm. Do not improvise a vent, operate an appliance in a room where it is not approved, or use a cooking appliance as a room heater.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors according to the devices’ instructions and local code. The NWS home-winterization checklist specifically calls for alarms with battery backups. Test smoke alarms monthly, verify that CO detectors respond to their test function, and replace batteries or devices when required by the manufacturer. Keep spare batteries where household members can find them.
| Alarm check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Smoke alarm | It is installed in the locations required by local code, sounds during the test, and has a working battery backup if provided. |
| CO detector | It is placed as directed for the home and fuel-burning equipment, passes its test, and has a working battery backup if provided. |
| Replacement and access | Household members know the alarm sound, batteries are reachable, and no alarm is covered, disabled, painted, or blocked. |
Alarm placement rules differ by jurisdiction and device type. Follow the product instructions and local fire-code requirements rather than relying on a generic room-by-room rule.
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Build a winter outage kit before the forecast turns serious
Plan for loss of electricity, heat, telephone service, refrigeration, and the ability to shop. Store supplies together in a dry, accessible place that does not become blocked by snow or a fallen branch.
- Flashlights or lanterns and extra batteries.
- A battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, with spare batteries and a way to receive local alerts when internet or cellular service is unreliable.
- Food and drinking water that do not require cooking or refrigeration.
- Prescription medicines and a written list of medications, doses, and prescriber contacts.
- First-aid supplies and basic personal-care items.
- Heating fuel appropriate for your equipment, stored and handled according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local rules.
- Warm clothing, blankets, and a safe plan for keeping rooms habitable if the main heat fails.
- Baby supplies when relevant, including formula or food that can be used without refrigeration or cooking.
- Pet food, water, medication, carriers, and a warm indoor shelter.
- Copies of important contact information, utility numbers, and instructions for shutting off water, gas, or electricity if needed.
For ice-storm messaging, NWS advises keeping a week’s worth of food and prescriptions because outages can last several days. Match that recommendation to the number of people and pets in your household, medical needs, storage space, and local emergency guidance.
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Portable generators belong outdoors
Never run a generator in an enclosed space. NWS outage guidance specifies outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and garages, and says to follow the generator’s instructions. That means not in a garage, basement, crawlspace, shed, porch, or carport, even if a door is open. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can accumulate quickly.
Position the exhaust away from the home and neighboring openings, keep the unit dry, and allow it to cool before refueling. Connect appliances only as the instructions permit. If the home is wired for a generator connection, have a qualified electrician install and operate the transfer equipment; never backfeed a household circuit with an improvised connection.
Use alternate heaters only as designed
Read the heater’s instructions before an outage and keep required clearances from bedding, furniture, curtains, clothing, and walls. Never leave a portable heater unattended or use it to dry clothing. Maintain ventilation for any fuel-burning appliance, keep its exhaust path clear, and stop using it if an alarm sounds, anyone develops headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or unusual fatigue, or you suspect combustion gases. Move everyone to fresh air and call emergency services from a safe location.
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What to do during a freeze or winter storm
Monitor conditions and protect the home
Use local forecasts, emergency alerts, and the NOAA Weather Radio to track changing conditions. Avoid unnecessary travel during ice or heavy snow. Keep exterior vents, furnace intakes, and exhausts free of drifting snow and leaves, but do not stand beneath unstable branches or near downed wires while clearing them.
If a storm threatens a long outage, conserve battery power, keep refrigerators and freezers closed, and use only the heating and lighting equipment you can operate safely. Never bring a generator, grill, camp stove, or fuel-burning appliance indoors.
Watch for plumbing and roof warning signs
Check accessible plumbing for frost, bulging, dampness, or reduced flow. If a pipe freezes, follow the safe thawing procedure above and be prepared to shut off the main water supply. Look for new ceiling stains, dripping, sagging gutters, or water entering near roof edges, but postpone exterior inspection until wind, ice, and electrical hazards have passed.
Keep people and pets warm without creating a fire hazard
Dress in layers, use blankets, and gather occupants in a safe, warm room if the main system fails. Keep pets indoors and provide dry bedding and water. Do not heat a room with an oven, stovetop, charcoal grill, or any appliance not approved for that use.
After the storm: inspect, document, and restore safely
- Check for immediate hazards. Stay away from downed power lines, damaged utility equipment, unstable trees, and flooded areas. Report hazards to the responsible utility or emergency authority.
- Check alarms and vents. Confirm that smoke and CO alarms still work, and clear snow or debris from appliance vents only when it is safe.
- Inspect for water damage. Look under sinks, around water heaters, in basements, and near ceilings below roof edges. If a pipe has burst, close the main water valve and call a plumber.
- Check heating equipment before restarting. If equipment, wiring, controls, or fuel lines were wet or damaged, have a qualified technician inspect them. Do not relight or reset equipment against the instructions.
- Record damage. Photograph conditions from a safe location, save receipts for emergency work, and notify your insurer or landlord according to the policy or lease.
- Restock the kit. Replace batteries, medicines, fuel, food, and first-aid items used during the event so the next storm does not find the household unprepared.
Adapt the checklist to your home and your role
Homeowners
Use your construction drawings, equipment manuals, and utility maps to locate shutoffs, vents, cleanouts, and vulnerable plumbing. Schedule licensed or qualified professionals for work involving roofs, chimneys, gas, electrical systems, structural trees, or inaccessible plumbing. Ask what local permits, clearances, and inspection records apply.
Renters
Report drafts, leaks, damaged weatherstripping, blocked vents, unsafe heat, and exposed pipes to the landlord or property manager in writing before cold weather. Ask where the water shutoff and emergency contacts are, what snow or ice responsibilities the lease assigns, and which heaters or appliances are allowed. You can still test alarms, assemble personal medicines and food, keep pets warm, and follow generator and alternate-heat safety rules, but do not modify building systems without permission.
Homes with special needs
Households relying on powered medical equipment, refrigerated medicines, mobility devices, wells, sump pumps, or electrically controlled heat need a specific outage plan with their utility, clinician, and emergency contacts. Identify a safe backup location before a storm and do not assume a portable generator can support medical or building systems without professional sizing and connection.
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- Gutters and downspouts are clear and discharge away from the foundation.
- Roof, attic, and drainage concerns have been professionally assessed where access is unsafe.
- Weak or damaged branches near the home have been addressed, and vehicles will not be parked beneath hazardous trees during an ice storm.
- Doors, windows, service penetrations, and attic access are sealed without blocking required ventilation.
- Attic and exposed-pipe insulation suits the building, pipe diameter, and location.
- Furnace maintenance and chimney inspection are complete or scheduled before use.
- Exterior appliance vents are clear, and a plan exists to clear snow after a storm.
- Smoke and CO alarms are installed as required, tested, and backed up by working batteries.
- Flashlights, spare batteries, a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, food, water, medicines, first aid, heating fuel, baby supplies, and pet supplies are accessible.
- Everyone knows that a portable generator stays outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and garages and is never operated in an enclosed space.
- The main water shutoff, utility contacts, and emergency numbers are known.
Use this list as a starting point, then confirm local code, utility, fire-safety, and weather guidance for the exact property. A few hours of preparation in fall can prevent frozen-pipe damage, unsafe heating, and a much harder outage response in winter.
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