[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":484},["ShallowReactive",2],{"post-home-winterization-checklist":3,"related-home-winterization-checklist":464},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":12,"description":448,"extension":449,"faqs":450,"inLiveSitemap":451,"mainImage":452,"meta":453,"navigation":451,"path":454,"publishedOn":455,"readingTime":456,"seo":457,"status":458,"stem":459,"thumbnailImage":452,"topics":460,"updatedOn":455,"__hash__":463},"posts\u002Fposts\u002Fhome-winterization-checklist.md","The Complete Home Winterization Checklist",{"name":7,"bio":8,"picture":9,"links":10},"Elizabeth Kiselev","A member of the HouseFacts research team exploring practical insights and valuable resources to support homeowners. Our goal is to provide information that helps you stay organized, prepared, and in control of your home.","\u002Fimages\u002Fposts\u002Funtitled-design-62.png",{"linkedin":11},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Felizabethkiselev\u002F",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":427},"minimark",[15,19,36,39,44,53,61,65,68,73,102,105,109,112,129,133,136,150,154,180,184,187,190,193,232,235,239,242,246,260,274,278,292,305,309,323,327,330,356,364,368,371,374,386,390,393,419],[16,17,18],"p",{},"Winter damage rarely announces itself. A hose left connected in November becomes a burst pipe in January. A pool closed two weeks too late becomes an algae bloom in April. A grill left uncovered becomes a rusted burner by spring.",[16,20,21,22,29,30,35],{},"The numbers behind those small oversights are not small. Water damage and freezing account for nearly 30% of all homeowners' insurance claims, averaging $12,514 per incident (",[23,24,28],"a",{"href":25,"rel":26},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.iii.org\u002Ffact-statistic\u002Ffacts-statistics-homeowners-and-renters-insurance",[27],"nofollow","Insurance Information Institute","). Just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage to a typical home. A single burst pipe can release 250 gallons of water per day (",[23,31,34],{"href":32,"rel":33},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.maine.gov\u002Fmema\u002Fmaine-prepares\u002Fhome-preparedness\u002Fpreventing-thawing-frozen-pipes",[27],"Maine.gov",").",[16,37,38],{},"The good news: winterization is one of the highest-return weekends of the homeowner year. This home winterization checklist covers every zone of the property, in the order most people should tackle them. Work through it once in the fall, and spring gets a lot cheaper.",[40,41,43],"h2",{"id":42},"when-to-start","When to Start",[16,45,46,47,52],{},"Timing matters as much as the tasks. Begin when nighttime temperatures consistently drop to around 65°F (18°C), but before the first hard freeze (",[23,48,51],{"href":49,"rel":50},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.armandhammer.com\u002Fen\u002Farticles\u002Fsteps-for-closing-and-winterizing-a-pool",[27],"Arm & Hammer","). Start too early and pools and outdoor systems can still grow algae or collect debris. Wait too long and you're racing a freeze that has already reached your plumbing.",[16,54,55,56,60],{},"For most of the country, that means a window between late September and early November. Put it on the calendar now, or set it once as a ",[23,57,59],{"href":58},"\u002Fmaintenance","seasonal reminder that comes back every fall on its own",".",[40,62,64],{"id":63},"zone-1-outdoor-appliances","Zone 1: Outdoor Appliances",[16,66,67],{},"Outdoor kitchens and living spaces hold some of the most expensive equipment on your property, and none of it is built for months of snow and freeze-thaw cycles.",[69,70,72],"h3",{"id":71},"the-grill","The grill",[74,75,76,84,90,96],"ul",{},[77,78,79,83],"li",{},[80,81,82],"strong",{},"Deep clean:"," Scrub grates, burners, and drip trays with a stiff wire brush or a ball of aluminum foil. For stubborn grease, warm water and dish soap work well. This prevents rust and keeps pests away from leftover residue.",[77,85,86,89],{},[80,87,88],{},"Disconnect gas:"," Shut off and disconnect the propane tank. Store it upright in a ventilated outdoor area, never indoors.",[77,91,92,95],{},[80,93,94],{},"Protect burners:"," Coat metal parts lightly with cooking oil to hold off rust.",[77,97,98,101],{},[80,99,100],{},"Cover securely:"," Use a weatherproof grill cover rated for snow and ice.",[16,103,104],{},"A quality grill costs $800 to $2,000 or more, and neglect can cut its lifespan in half. A $40 cover and 30 minutes of cleaning each fall can add five or more years of use. If you have a built-in gas line, schedule a professional inspection before winter to confirm the valves are fully shut.",[69,106,108],{"id":107},"the-outdoor-refrigerator","The outdoor refrigerator",[16,110,111],{},"Outdoor fridges often run $1,500 to $3,000, and the compressor is the weak point. Once freezing temperatures damage it, the unit is usually not worth repairing.",[74,113,114,117,120,123,126],{},[77,115,116],{},"Unplug the unit to protect the compressor.",[77,118,119],{},"Empty all food and drinks.",[77,121,122],{},"Wipe down shelves to prevent mold and mildew.",[77,124,125],{},"Prop the door slightly open so odors don't build up.",[77,127,128],{},"Cover with a tarp or fitted cover.",[69,130,132],{"id":131},"the-fire-pit","The fire pit",[16,134,135],{},"Gas fire pits typically cost $300 to $1,500, and custom masonry versions can run $5,000 or more. Water and ash left in the bowl corrode metal and crack stone.",[74,137,138,141,144,147],{},[77,139,140],{},"Remove ash, soot, and leftover logs.",[77,142,143],{},"Turn gas valves to the off position and cap burners.",[77,145,146],{},"Check gas lines for leaks.",[77,148,149],{},"Cover with a heavy-duty fire pit cover. A $50 cover prevents hundreds in repairs.",[69,151,153],{"id":152},"everything-else-outside","Everything else outside",[74,155,156,162,168,174],{},[77,157,158,161],{},[80,159,160],{},"Patio heaters:"," Remove and store the propane tank separately. Clean the burner tubes, because spider webs and debris inside them are one of the top causes of ignition failure in spring. Heaters range from $150 to $600; a $25 cover adds years.",[77,163,164,167],{},[80,165,166],{},"Outdoor sinks and ice makers:"," Shut off the water supply and drain all lines completely. Pour non-toxic antifreeze into traps and lines if your area sees hard freezes, and add foam pipe covers or heat tape to exposed pipes.",[77,169,170,173],{},[80,171,172],{},"Smokers and pizza ovens:"," Deep clean before covering. Ash mixed with winter moisture becomes lye, which eats through metal quickly. For pizza ovens, inspect the masonry for cracks and reseal, since freeze-thaw cycles widen gaps. Use a breathable cover so condensation doesn't get trapped. A quality pizza oven runs $1,000 to $5,000 or more; a $50 fall routine protects it.",[77,175,176,179],{},[80,177,178],{},"Outdoor kitchens and counters:"," Polish stainless steel to prevent pitting, seal stone or tile against moisture and ice, and cover what you can.",[40,181,183],{"id":182},"zone-2-the-pool","Zone 2: The Pool",[16,185,186],{},"Winterizing a pool costs about $200 to $300 for an in-ground pool and $150 to $200 for above-ground, according to Fixr. Skipping it risks frozen pipes, cracked filters, algae, and structural damage that runs into the thousands. Pools closed correctly also reopen cheaper: homeowners who consistently winterized with a solid cover saved about 20% on maintenance costs over time in one AQUA Magazine case study.",[16,188,189],{},"You likely own most of the supplies already: shock, algaecide, stain and scale preventers, your regular skimmer net, brush, and vacuum. The seasonal additions are a winter cover (solid or mesh, depending on climate and debris), winterizing expansion plugs for return lines and skimmers, and a blower or air compressor for clearing water out of the lines.",[16,191,192],{},"The sequence:",[194,195,196,202,208,214,220,226],"ol",{},[77,197,198,201],{},[80,199,200],{},"Clean thoroughly."," Skim leaves, brush walls, vacuum the bottom, and clean filters. Less organic debris means less algae and staining under the cover.",[77,203,204,207],{},[80,205,206],{},"Balance the water."," Aim for pH 7.2 to 7.6 and alkalinity of 80 to 120 ppm, with calcium hardness appropriate for your pool type. Add shock, algaecide, and any stain or scale treatments.",[77,209,210,213],{},[80,211,212],{},"Lower the water level."," Drop it enough to prevent freeze damage, based on your cover type, and remove or plug skimmer lines.",[77,215,216,219],{},[80,217,218],{},"Drain and store equipment."," Turn off pumps, heaters, and filters. Drain residual water from plumbing lines and filter casings, lubricate seals and o-rings, and store removable parts indoors.",[77,221,222,225],{},[80,223,224],{},"Install and secure the cover."," Anchor it properly so water and snow buildup can't damage the cover or pool walls.",[77,227,228,231],{},[80,229,230],{},"Check monthly through winter."," Clear leaves, keep the cover taut, and fix any animal damage quickly before a small tear becomes a sag.",[16,233,234],{},"Do the simple parts yourself (skimming, brushing, water testing) and hire out the tricky ones, like blowing out lines. Log the closing date, chemical treatments, and any invoices so you know exactly what was done when you reopen.",[40,236,238],{"id":237},"zone-3-plumbing-hvac-and-the-interior","Zone 3: Plumbing, HVAC, and the Interior",[16,240,241],{},"This is the zone where winter does its most expensive work, because the damage happens inside walls where you can't see it.",[69,243,245],{"id":244},"plumbing-and-water-systems","Plumbing and water systems",[74,247,248,251,254,257],{},[77,249,250],{},"Shut off and drain all outdoor faucets, and disconnect hoses.",[77,252,253],{},"Drain irrigation and sprinkler systems completely.",[77,255,256],{},"Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, and attics with foam covers or heat tape.",[77,258,259],{},"Know where your main water shutoff is, and label it. If a pipe does burst, minutes matter.",[16,261,262,263,268,269,273],{},"Interior water damage severity increased by 8% between 2019 and 2023 (",[23,264,267],{"href":265,"rel":266},"https:\u002F\u002Ffortifiedhome.org\u002Farticle\u002Fwinters-unexpected-threat-ice-and-water-damage\u002F",[27],"Fortified Home","), so this is a risk that's growing, not shrinking. Smart leak sensors or a remote shutoff valve are worth considering, especially if you travel. Our guide on ",[23,270,272],{"href":271},"\u002Fpost\u002Fhow-to-prevent-water-damage-while-youre-away","preventing water damage while you're away"," covers the setup in detail.",[69,275,277],{"id":276},"heating-and-hvac","Heating and HVAC",[74,279,280,283,286,289],{},[77,281,282],{},"Schedule a furnace tune-up before temperatures drop, when technicians still have open slots.",[77,284,285],{},"Replace filters, and clean ducts if they need it.",[77,287,288],{},"Clean AC coils at the end of cooling season so the system starts efficiently next summer.",[77,290,291],{},"Never let the thermostat fall below 55°F, even in rooms you don't use. That floor is what keeps pipes inside exterior walls from freezing.",[16,293,294,295,299,300,304],{},"A furnace failure in January is a plumbing emergency waiting to happen. If you're not sure how old your furnace is, ",[23,296,298],{"href":297},"\u002Fappliance-intelligence","a photo of its data label can tell you its age, expected lifespan, and any active recalls",". If your system is aging, the ",[23,301,303],{"href":302},"\u002Fpost\u002Fultimate-guide-to-hvac-preventive-maintenance","HVAC preventive maintenance guide"," walks through what a tune-up should include.",[69,306,308],{"id":307},"roof-gutters-and-exterior","Roof, gutters, and exterior",[74,310,311,314,317,320],{},[77,312,313],{},"Clean gutters and downspouts so meltwater flows freely instead of forming ice dams.",[77,315,316],{},"Inspect the roof for loose shingles, cracked flashing, and blocked vents.",[77,318,319],{},"Trim overhanging branches that could come down in a storm.",[77,321,322],{},"Seal gaps around doors, windows, and siding to keep out cold air and the rodents looking for a warm winter home.",[40,324,326],{"id":325},"zone-4-vacation-and-second-homes","Zone 4: Vacation and Second Homes",[16,328,329],{},"A vacant home has no one around to notice the first drip, the furnace that quit, or the door that didn't latch. Small problems get days or weeks to grow. Everything above still applies, plus a layer of absentee protection.",[74,331,332,338,344,350],{},[77,333,334,337],{},[80,335,336],{},"Decide on your water strategy."," If the home will be completely vacant and unheated, shut off the main water valve, drain all pipes, toilets, and the water heater, and pour non-toxic antifreeze into drains and toilets. If you'll visit mid-season, keep systems running at minimal levels instead: thermostat at 55°F, water on, fridge in low use.",[77,339,340,343],{},[80,341,342],{},"Prepare appliances and utilities."," Unplug small appliances to avoid power surges, empty and clean the refrigerator for long vacancies, and shut off gas to fireplaces and grills.",[77,345,346,349],{},[80,347,348],{},"Make the home look and stay occupied."," Install smart security cameras and motion-activated lighting, put indoor lights on timers, and forward mail or have a neighbor collect it.",[77,351,352,355],{},[80,353,354],{},"Line up local eyes."," Share a spare key and your contact information with a trusted neighbor, friend, or property manager who can check in after storms.",[16,357,358,359,363],{},"Second homes reward a repeatable routine more than any other property, since you're managing them from memory and from a distance. Our ",[23,360,362],{"href":361},"\u002Fpost\u002Fsecond-home-management-for-absentee-homeowners-stay-organized-year-round","second home management guide for absentee homeowners"," covers the year-round version of this system.",[40,365,367],{"id":366},"make-it-a-record-not-a-memory","Make It a Record, Not a Memory",[16,369,370],{},"The hardest part of winterization isn't any single task. It's remembering all of them, every year, in the right order, and knowing what you did last fall when something goes wrong in February.",[16,372,373],{},"This is where a written record earns its keep. When you close the pool, log the date and chemical treatments. When the furnace gets its tune-up, save the invoice. When you drain the irrigation system, note it. If a pipe bursts anyway and you file an insurance claim, that documentation is the difference between a smooth payout and an argument.",[16,375,376,377,381,382,60],{},"HouseFacts comes preloaded with ready-to-use seasonal checklists, so you can customize this list for your own home and check tasks off as you go. Smart Records keeps every tune-up invoice, pool closing receipt, and service contact organized in one place, and reminders bring the whole routine back on their own next fall. Getting started is as simple as ",[23,378,380],{"href":379},"\u002Fhow-it-works","snapping a photo or forwarding an email, and everything gets organized from there",". You can try it free for 14 days and see how much lighter next winter feels. If you're wondering what those service records are worth down the road, ",[23,383,385],{"href":384},"\u002Fpost\u002Fthe-paperwork-you-need-before-listing-your-house-and-why-most-sellers-start-this-too-late","documented maintenance history matters more at sale than most sellers expect",[40,387,389],{"id":388},"the-short-version","The Short Version",[16,391,392],{},"If you only remember four things from this home winterization checklist:",[194,394,395,401,407,413],{},[77,396,397,400],{},[80,398,399],{},"Water is the enemy."," Drain, insulate, and shut off everything that holds it outdoors.",[77,402,403,406],{},[80,404,405],{},"Covers are cheap insurance."," $25 to $50 per appliance protects thousands of dollars of equipment.",[77,408,409,412],{},[80,410,411],{},"Timing beats effort."," Start around 65°F nights, before the first freeze.",[77,414,415,418],{},[80,416,417],{},"Write it down."," The record you keep this fall is the one that saves you next fall.",[16,420,421,422,426],{},"A few hours in October is the cheapest repair bill you'll ever pay. ",[23,423,425],{"href":424},"\u002F","Start your winterization checklist in HouseFacts"," and let next season run on the record instead of your memory.",{"title":428,"searchDepth":429,"depth":429,"links":430},"",2,[431,432,439,440,445,446,447],{"id":42,"depth":429,"text":43},{"id":63,"depth":429,"text":64,"children":433},[434,436,437,438],{"id":71,"depth":435,"text":72},3,{"id":107,"depth":435,"text":108},{"id":131,"depth":435,"text":132},{"id":152,"depth":435,"text":153},{"id":182,"depth":429,"text":183},{"id":237,"depth":429,"text":238,"children":441},[442,443,444],{"id":244,"depth":435,"text":245},{"id":276,"depth":435,"text":277},{"id":307,"depth":435,"text":308},{"id":325,"depth":429,"text":326},{"id":366,"depth":429,"text":367},{"id":388,"depth":429,"text":389},"One home winterization checklist for every zone of your property: outdoor appliances, the pool, interior plumbing and HVAC, and vacation or second homes. Specific steps, real costs, and what each hour of prep actually saves you.","md",null,true,"\u002Fimages\u002Fposts\u002Funtitled-design-21.webp",{},"\u002Fposts\u002Fhome-winterization-checklist","2026-07-14","9",{"title":5,"description":448},"published","posts\u002Fhome-winterization-checklist",[461,462],"seasonal","maintenance","up2xRYOrUkTL92k1cncd28kcPQwliLHJevHULfZzJeY",[465,472,478],{"title":466,"description":467,"path":468,"thumbnailImage":469,"topics":470},"Your Water Heater Might Fail. Whether Insurance Pays for the Damage Comes Down to a Few Words in Your Policy.","Does homeowners insurance cover water heater leaks? Usually yes if the failure is sudden, no if it's gradual. Here's how to protect your claim before it happens.","\u002Fposts\u002Fyour-water-heater-might-fail-whether-insurance-pays-for-the-damage-comes-down-to-a-few-words-in-your-policy","\u002Fimages\u002Fposts\u002Fum-12.webp",[471,462],"appliances",{"title":473,"description":474,"path":475,"thumbnailImage":476,"topics":477},"What Homebuyers Notice in Your Yard (Before They Even Walk Inside)","Selling your home? Buyers judge your yard in seconds, and it can cost you thousands. Here's what they notice and the low-cost fixes that can protect your price.","\u002Fposts\u002Fwhat-homebuyers-notice-in-your-yard","\u002Fimages\u002Fposts\u002Fum-1.webp",[462],{"title":479,"description":480,"path":481,"thumbnailImage":482,"topics":483},"The Things That Live Outside: A Guide to Outdoor Appliance Safety","Keep your grill, generator, and outdoor appliances safe year-round. Practical tips on fuel, electrical safety, and off-season storage for homeowners.","\u002Fposts\u002Fa-guide-to-outdoor-appliance-safety","\u002Fimages\u002Fposts\u002Fthermo-3.webp",[471,461],1785470119335]