Home & Garden

Preparing Your Home's Exterior for Winter

Updated Jan 24, 2023· 6 min read
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A suburban home exterior being prepared for winter with clean gutters and sealed windows

In This Article

Key Takeaways

Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets before the first freeze prevents burst pipes.
Caulking gaps around windows and doors blocks drafts and reduces heating costs.
Clogged gutters in winter can cause ice dams that damage your roof and siding.
Inspecting your roof before snow arrives makes it far easier to spot and address problems.
Dryer vents and HVAC intakes need to be clear before cold weather increases demand on those systems.
120–240 min

Summary

18 items · 2–4 hours spread across one or two weekends

Why Fall Is the Right Time to Act

Cold weather does not announce itself with much warning, and damage from freezing temperatures, ice, and moisture tends to compound quickly. A burst pipe can flood a basement in hours; an ice dam can lift shingles and let water into your walls over weeks. The good news is that most of the vulnerabilities are predictable — and fixable — if you address them before temperatures drop.

This checklist covers the exterior systems most commonly damaged by winter conditions: gutters, roof, caulking and seals, outdoor plumbing, vents, and drainage. Work through it section by section, and pair it with our seasonal home maintenance calendar to keep the full picture in view year-round.

Gutters and Drainage

Clear all leaves, debris, and sediment from gutters so water flows freely before the first freeze. Must
Check downspouts for blockages and confirm water discharges at least 4–6 feet away from the foundation. Must
Inspect gutter hangers and seams for looseness or separation; resecure or reseal as needed. Should
Grade soil away from the foundation in any spots where it has settled toward the house, to redirect runoff. Should

Roof and Eaves

From the ground or a safe ladder position, scan for missing, curling, or cracked shingles that could admit water under snow load. Must
Check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents for lifted edges or rust that could allow water infiltration. Must
Look for granule buildup in gutters, which can signal accelerated shingle wear — review our guide to catching roof problems early for what to watch for. Should
Trim any tree branches hanging over the roofline that could break under ice or snow and cause structural damage. Should

Caulking, Seals, and Weatherstripping

Inspect caulk around all exterior windows and door frames; remove and replace any sections that are cracked, shrunken, or pulling away. Must
Check weatherstripping on exterior doors and replace any strips that are compressed, torn, or failing to create a tight seal. Must
Seal any gaps where utilities (pipes, cables, wires) enter the home's exterior walls to block cold air and pest intrusion. Should

Outdoor Plumbing and Irrigation

Shut off the interior valve supplying each outdoor faucet (hose bib), then open the faucet to drain remaining water from the line. Must
Disconnect and drain all garden hoses before storing them, since water left in a hose can freeze and damage the faucet connection. Must
If you have an in-ground irrigation system, have it professionally blown out with compressed air before the ground freezes, unless you are experienced with the process yourself. Should

Vents, Exhausts, and Intakes

Clear the dryer exhaust vent of any lint buildup or bird nesting material that could block airflow or create a fire hazard. Must
Locate your furnace or HVAC air intake and exhaust pipes on the exterior wall and confirm they are unobstructed. Must
Check bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents for debris blockages, and make sure vent flaps open and close freely. Should
Mark the location of exterior vent pipes with a tall stake or flag so they can be found and cleared after heavy snowfall. Nice to have

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gathering your tools and materials in advance keeps the job from stalling halfway through. Most items below are common to any hardware store and worth having on hand for general maintenance.

Required

Extension ladder

Provides safe access to gutters and eaves for inspection and cleaning.

Required

Gutter scoop or garden trowel

Removes compacted leaves and debris from gutter channels efficiently.

Required

Garden hose with spray nozzle

Flushes gutters and downspouts to confirm water flows freely.

Required

Exterior-grade caulk and caulk gun

Seals gaps around windows, doors, and utility penetrations in exterior walls.

Required

Weatherstripping

Replaces worn door seals to block drafts and moisture around exterior doors.

Optional

Foam backer rod

Fills larger gaps before caulking to get a proper, durable seal.

Optional

Binoculars

Allows a closer ground-level look at roof shingles and flashing without climbing.

If you discover roofing damage, significant caulk failure around multiple windows, or signs of pest intrusion during your inspection, note those areas and contact a licensed contractor before winter sets in. Some exterior repairs are not safe or practical to tackle as DIY projects, particularly anything involving roof walking or gas line access.

After the Checklist: What to Monitor All Season

Completing this checklist before the first hard freeze puts you well ahead of most cold-weather problems, but winter maintenance does not stop there. After significant snowfall, check that vent pipes, dryer exhausts, and HVAC intakes are not buried or blocked. Ice buildup along eaves (called an ice dam) is a sign that attic heat is escaping through the roof — a problem that overlaps with insulation and air sealing. Our companion article on home weatherization from the inside out covers the interior side of that equation.

Gutters deserve a second look in late winter or early spring, since freezing and thawing cycles can loosen hangers or open seams that were fine in October. For a deeper look at what happens when gutters are neglected, see why your gutters deserve more attention than you're giving them. And if your yard prep is still pending, our fall yard prep guide walks through lawn and garden tasks that dovetail with exterior home work.

Finally, if you are newer to homeownership, the upkeep tasks new homeowners consistently overlook is worth bookmarking — it covers the easy-to-forget interior and exterior items that often go unaddressed until they become expensive repairs.

Home & Garden Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.

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