12-08-2025 11:11am

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How To Winterize Your House Inside and Out – Experts Reveal the Simple Jobs That Can Save You $100s On Repair Bills

Knowing how to winterize a house inside and out is essential for keeping your home warm and dry throughout the winter period – it will also save you from potentially expensive and destructive problems further down the line.

Experts agree that prevention is key. Simple steps such as sealing windows, insulating exposed pipes, clearing gutters, and checking your heating system can make a major difference to how efficiently your home runs through the coldest months.

With just a few strategic and simple winterizing tasks, you can protect your property, prevent mold, lower your energy bills, and stay cozy all winter – no matter what the weather brings.

Winterizing a House Checklist

Although the NOAA has predicted a milder winter for most of the southern and central parts of the US for late 2025 and early 2026, it is still important to plan ahead and stock up on snow essentials in the face of winter storm warnings, just in case.

With that in mind, there are some general tasks you should complete as the temperature starts to dip in your region:

Check the roof: ‘Good roof maintenance is vital to avoid water damage to a building’s fabric. Slipped slats or tiles, failing leadwork, and roof valleys blocked by debris will all wreak havoc if neglected,’ says Roger Hunt, author of the Old House Handbook. ‘Roofs should be repaired promptly by an experienced roofer. Never use quick fixes, such as spray foams or liquid waterproofing; they may trap moisture, hinder repairs, and are likely to prevent the future reuse of materials,’ he adds. It is also important that you remove any moss and leaves from the roof as this will hold water, leading to dampness and rot.
Clean your gutters: Cleaning gutters is far from the easiest chore, but it is essential to winterize a home, says Matt Schmitz, home expert and managing editor at HomeServe USA. 'Obstructions in your gutters can trap moisture and snow; the resulting cycle of repeated freezing and melting can cause a large mass of ice to accumulate, damaging shingles, gutters, and siding.' Over time, this can result in roof leaks. It can be made easier with a floor-level gutter cleaning tool from Walmart, negating the need for ladders and helping you to avoid common winter home maintenance mistakes.
Assess the chimney: The chimney is a vulnerable part of the house, exposed to high winds, frost, and snow, which is why inspecting and cleaning it is an essential November home maintenance job. Repair minor cracks with a patching cement from Lowe's. For more severe damage, it is time to call the pros for lasting repairs before you light your fireplace. If you are not planning on using your fireplace over winter, consider installing a removable chimney draft excluder from Amazon to block downdrafts and make your heating more efficient. Always remove it before using the fireplace.
Check exterior walls: Douglas Kent, technical and research director at the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, explains, 'Freeze-thaw cycles affecting wet masonry or unfired earth in cold weather can cause cracking, spalling, and structural instability. Exposed parts are particularly susceptible, including parapets, copings, cornices, and chimneys.' Look for signs of cracking, rot, or efflorescence (a sign of damp), and call a repair expert as needed to protect against further damage.
Draftproof windows & doors: 'A task homeowners can do in the fall to prepare for the winter weather is inspecting and draft-proofing their windows and doors,' says David Flax, president of Window Genie, a Neighborly company. ‘For windows, a layer of thermal insulating film from Walmart can add an extra layer of protection against cold air transfer,’ he says. For doors, use weather stripping (also from Walmart) to seal gaps in the frame, and hang thermal insulating curtains from Wayfair to create a cozy entry shield.
Insulate: Knowing where to insulate your home can help keep your home warm all winter. Attic insulation and basement insulation, in particular, are fantastic for limiting energy loss to keep a home warm all day for less. There are, however, several areas of your home you should never insulate to avoid trapped moisture and mold problems.
Check ventilation: ‘It is important to stay on top of our home ventilation systems in winter as we look to turn on the heating and close our windows, so as to reduce humidity in a house, improve air quality indoors, and prevent mold in our homes. Ben Leo, HVAC specialist and founder of HomeCaprice, recommends cleaning vents, adding 'consider investing in an air purifier, especially if you have pets or allergy concerns, and a dehumidifier such as the Insignia 25-pint Energy Star Dehumidifier from Best Buy to keep your warm indoor air dry.’
Service heating: There are several home heating types your home can have, and each of them will need a professional service before you turn it on again, especially if you have not been using it over spring and summer. Austin Fain, CEO of Perfect Steel Solutions, urges, 'Schedule a professional HVAC technician to inspect and service your furnace or heating system and replace air filters with high-efficiency filters ready for constant use.'

Winterizing HVAC & Plumbing

Servicing your HVAC system can help you avoid emergency call-outs in the middle of winter, Matt suggests. Even if you are not using your AC in winter, a few winterizing tasks now will ensure it is ready for use when the temperatures rise again next year.

Matt begins, ‘For your outdoor AC unit, trim back shrubbery around the unit, and clear any natural debris (leaves, acorns, mulch) that has found its way onto, into, around, and under your unit.

‘If you decide to cover the unit for the winter to keep debris out while not in use, be sure to get a proper cover, preferably one that is breathable and covers only the top of the unit, stretching down the sides no more than a few inches to prevent trapping snow or providing an enticing spot for critters to hole up for the season.

Matt also recommends scheduling an annual HVAC tune-up with a trusted local technician to confidently prepare your household for the cold if you are unsure of what to do yourself. 'You should also ensure you’re changing your furnace filter quarterly,' he adds. 'It is the single most vital routine maintenance task you can do for your HVAC system’s health.'