Winter home maintenance checklist
Through the winter: check the furnace filter monthly, test smoke and CO alarms monthly, keep pipes from freezing, and watch for ice dams after snow. Once each winter: clean the dryer vent, check your storm kit (flashlights, batteries, water, a few days of food), and keep vents and the meter clear of snow.
Winter home maintenance checklist
Checklist
- Check the furnace filter; replace it if it looks dirtyMonthly
- Test smoke and CO alarmsMonthly
- Protect pipes on the coldest nights (drip, open cabinets)Cold snaps
- Clean the dryer vent ductOnce a year; winter is a good time
- Keep furnace, dryer and water heater vents outside clear of snowAfter every snow
- Look for ice dams and icicles along the roof edgeAfter snow
- Check the storm kit: flashlights, batteries, water, food, medicineEarly winter
- Test the sump pump by pouring water in the pitBefore the spring thaw
- Clean refrigerator coilsOnce or twice a year
- Check the car: tires, battery, wipers, washer fluidEarly winter
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Winter is about watching, not projects
The big jobs belong in the fall. Winter maintenance is mostly short checks: a filter, an alarm, a vent after a snowstorm. They are easy to skip because nothing looks wrong until something fails, usually on the coldest night of the year.
Carbon monoxide matters more in winter
Furnaces, fireplaces, gas water heaters and generators all run more in winter. Keep their outside vents clear of snow, never run a generator in a garage or near a window, and test CO alarms with your smoke alarms. Ready.gov also recommends a winter emergency kit for power outages.
What you'll need
- Furnace filters (check your size)For the monthly check
- Combination smoke + CO alarmCovers both in one device
- Roof snow rakeClears snow from the roof edge from the ground
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Questions
What home maintenance should I do in winter?
Check the furnace filter and test smoke and CO alarms every month, protect pipes in cold snaps, keep outside vents clear of snow, and clean the dryer vent once a year. Save big outdoor jobs for fall and spring.
How do I prevent ice dams?
Ice dams form when heat from the house melts snow on the roof and it refreezes at the cold edge. Long term, more attic insulation and air sealing fix it. In the moment, a roof rake used from the ground removes the snow that feeds them.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR — Heating & Cooling Maintenance Checklist
- U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) — Smoke Alarms
- Ready.gov — Winter Weather
- American Red Cross — Winter Storm Safety
Related guides
General guidance for typical homes. Follow your equipment manufacturer's instructions and local codes, and hire a pro for anything you're not comfortable doing.