Leaves left in the gutter freeze into ice dams and push water under the shingles. Scoop, then flush with a hose and check that water runs out the downspout.
Checklist · Home · October
Winterize your home before the first freeze
Twelve steps to get a house ready for winter: gutters, hoses, drafts, the furnace and the pipes. One weekend, with what you'll need for each.
0 of 12 doneStart with step 1
As an Amazon Associate, Almanac Kit earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are shown on Amazon.
Part 1
Outside, while it is still warm
A hose left connected can freeze and crack the faucet inside the wall. Disconnect, drain, coil, and shut off the indoor valve if you have one.
Walk the house with a tube of exterior caulk. Any gap you can slide a card into is letting cold air in all winter.
Covers are fine for a grill; cushions go inside. This is also the month patio sets go on clearance, if you need a new one.
Part 2
Inside
On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near windows, outlets and the attic hatch. Where the smoke bends, air is moving.
Foam tape for windows, a sweep for the bottom of exterior doors. This step alone is most of the heating bill savings.
Flip the small switch on the fan body so blades turn clockwise. It pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
Less about insulation than about feeling warm at a lower thermostat setting. Hardwood and tile rooms benefit most.
Part 3
Systems
A clogged filter makes the furnace run longer for the same heat. Check the size printed on the old one; buy a 3-pack.
Run it for ten minutes on a mild day. A burning-dust smell for a minute is normal; anything longer means a service call.
Pipes in the garage, crawl space or along exterior walls are the ones that burst. Foam sleeves slip on in seconds.
Drop 7–10°F while you sleep or are out. A programmable thermostat does this for you and pays for itself in a season.
House is ready for winter.Next on the list for October: the car. Tires, battery, an emergency kit in the trunk.Winterize your car →
Keep your progressTicks are saved on this device. Sign in with your email to see them on your other devices too.Sign in with email