Not all winters across the country look the same, but if yours often includes cold weather, snow, or ice, it’s important to prepare your home for the temperature change. Your preparations should include your yard and your home’s exterior and interior. Our tips will help you keep your home in good shape, allowing you to stay comfortable all season.

Inspect Your Yard

Start by looking at summer lawn equipment that you won’t need during the winter. Pack away lawn furniture when it’s dry (moisture trapped in storage can easily turn into mold). Bring in outdoor plants to prevent them from being damaged during the winter. Drain gas from lawn equipment before storing it away because gas exposed to air over the winter may clog fuel filters. If you have sprinklers, turn off the water and drain the system. Leave your backflow valve partially open to allow it to drain naturally. If you have exposed pipes, make sure they’re insulated to prevent freezing. As you transition to winter equipment, make sure you assess its condition before the first snowfall of the season! This includes changing the oil in your snowblower and filling it up with fresh fuel.

As the temperatures begin to drop, inspect the trees and foliage in your yard to see if they can survive winter weather. Trimming back tree branches in the winter is called “dormant pruning.” During this time, trees store their energy in their trunk and root system which means that misshapen or crossed branches can be safely removed without risking the life and overall health of the tree.

Prepare Your Home’s Exterior

If you have exterior faucets or pipes, make sure to turn them off and insulate as needed to keep them from bursting during a cold spell. Then, inspect your gutters (or hire a special contractor) and make sure there are no gaps, standing water, or any blockages. Keeping leaves and debris clear is the most basic step to prevent blockages and ice dams in the future. Finally, inspect exterior surfaces like window edges, trim/molding, and siding joints or corners for cracks. Using a weather-resistant caulk can protect the exterior (and interior) of your home from winter weather.

Winterize Your Home’s Interior

Start with something simple and small like reversing the direction of your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans spinning clockwise can push rising heat back down towards you. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed. Clean out your dryer vent—excess lint and dust can force your dryer to work harder than necessary, but it’s also good to make sure no critters or birds are trying to use the vent as a winter nest.

Then move on to larger tasks like inspecting your heating system. Insulate your pipes to improve efficiency and help keep warm water warm. Air sealing can also protect your home while helping you save an average of 15% on heating and cooling bills, according to the Department of Energy. Inspect drafty doors that could use weather-stripping and insulate your attic if you haven’t already. If you have a chimney, scheduling an inspection and service each year can prevent fire hazards.

Restock Your Winter and Emergency Supplies

Maintaining your winter supplies in addition to an emergency kit is an important part of winter weather home preparation. Inspect shovels, snow roof rakes, and ice scrapers from last season to determine if they need to be replaced. Buy rock salt (look for pet-friendly alternatives as needed) to help keep your driveway and sidewalk clear. Winter storms with heavy winds and snow fall can lead to downed power lines, so make sure you have backup energy sources or batteries, flashlights, and emergency blankets. If you haven’t already built an emergency kit, here’s a helpful checklist.

We hope these tips help you stay safe and comfortable through the winter in your home.