Winterizing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide

Winterizing doesn't need to be a huge project, but going room by room helps make sure nothing gets missed before temperatures drop.

Attic

Check insulation depth and look for any gaps around vents or pipes where warm air could escape, which also helps prevent ice dams on the roof.

Windows and Doors

Feel for drafts around frames and add weatherstripping or caulk where needed. This is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost winterizing steps.

Kitchen and Bathrooms

Insulate any exposed pipes, especially those running along exterior walls or through unheated spaces like a garage or crawl space.

Basement or Crawl Space

Seal any gaps where cold air enters and check that the water heater and any exposed plumbing are insulated.

Outdoors

Disconnect and drain garden hoses, shut off exterior faucets if they have an interior shutoff valve, and clear gutters one final time before freezing weather sets in.

Heating System

Replace the furnace filter and schedule a tune-up if it hasn't been serviced recently. A clean, well-maintained system runs more efficiently through the cold months.

Going through the house methodically like this catches the small gaps and overlooked spots that cause the biggest winter headaches.