13 Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Winter, From Pantry Prep to Thermostat Maintenance

Prevent Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes aren't just an inconvenience—they can also be costly to repair should they burst. "Temperatures at or below 20 degrees Fahrenheit can cause water in the pipes to freeze," says Gary McCoy, store manager at Lowe's. "When that happens, the water—now ice—in your pipes expands and exerts pressure on the pipe. Too much pressure can lead to a ruptured pipe."

Pipes that run along exterior walls or have little to no insulation are most susceptible to freezing—as are supply pipes in unheated interior areas. "If cold weather settles in and you notice temperatures beginning to drop, start a small drip of both hot water and cold water in the kitchen, bath, laundry areas and any other faucets in the home," says Joe Cobb, customer training manager at The Home Depot. "A small water drip is all that is needed to keep water moving through the system and prevent frozen pipes."

Covering your pipes with insulation is a long-term way to prevent frozen pipes and keep your home warm when cold weather hits. "You can use pipe wrap insulation that winds around the pipe, or tubular pipe insulation," says McCoy.

Prep Your Pantry

The bright flavors of spring and summer can certainly be delicious year-round. But giving your pantry a seasonal refresh can help you rid it of clutter (i.e. expired foods and supplies you never use), as well as help you usher in the warm and comforting ingredients of the season.

"During the colder seasons, we tend to crave things like warm, creamy soups and hearty veggies," says private chef and event planner Rebecca Cavalier-Mann. "Look for in-season produce and ingredients that make up these recipes and keep them in stock."

Come winter, comb the produce aisle for root vegetables like rutabagas and turnips and greens like broccoli and collards. Pantry staples like vegetable stock and ready-made pastas will also see plenty of play, and consider stocking up on baking supplies. (It is cookie season, after all.)

Clean Your Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is an essential part of preparing for winter. If water gets trapped in your gutters during cold temperatures, it can freeze and force ice back under the edge of your home's shingles, causing long-term damage and making your roof susceptible to leaks.

"To prevent clogging, inspect and clean the gutters of leaves and other debris," says McCoy. "For a shortcut, you could consider purchasing gutter guards. They will help keep out leaves, pine needles, roof sand grit, and other debris from your gutter, and only need to be occasionally brushed off."

Keep Entertaining Must-Haves On-Hand

The holiday season usually brings with it plenty of houseguests—both expected and unexpected. To avoid the stress of getting your home ready for guests, have entertaining must-haves ready to go. "Having some appetizers in the freezer that you can quickly defrost or an emergency bottle of wine will go a long way in keeping you prepared for whenever guests pop over," says Cavalier-Mann.

Prep your bar cart with ingredients for seasonal cocktails (think cloves, cinnamon, and ginger), have a party playlist ready to go, and freshen up the guest room linens, too.

Clear Out Your Closet

Winter coats and knit sweaters are pretty bulky—there's no getting around it. With these cold-weather clothing staples about to take up significant closet space, now is the perfect opportunity to stage a clean-out. Toss items that are damaged beyond repair, donate what you no longer wear, and store pieces like swimsuits and sundresses where they'll be out of the way for the winter season. Fill the space you've uncovered with more appropriate (read: warmer) outerwear.

Seal Holes and Cracks

Keep the cold out of your home by checking for any cracks and holes in your foundation. Use caulk around windows and foam outlet protectors as a preventative measure. Additionally, implementing rubber or vinyl weather stripping around doors and windows can help insulate areas where cracks let cold air in—or heat is released out. "Replace your door seals, door sweeps, or thresholds to keep cold outside air from seeping into your home," says Cobb.

Swap Out Linens

See ya, waffle-knit blankets and lightweight sheet sets. It's the time to pull out those extra-warm throws and flannel sheets you have hiding in the back of your linen closet or vacuum-sealed in the attic. This seasonal swap will help make space for bedding you actually use, as well as keep you and your family perfectly toasty and sleeping soundly throughout those chilly winter nights.

Check Your Thermostat

If your thermostat gives out on you during winter, you won't have a working heat source to keep the inside of your home warm. Many thermostats require batteries, so be sure you have extra available before severe weather hits. If the entire thermostat stops working and you need a replacement, electric heaters are the safest short-term heating solution. "They can be used to effectively heat smaller spaces and should be kept away from any flammable materials," says McCoy.

Guard Your Garden

Don't let frost wreak havoc on the plants you've spent all year lovingly tending to. With some preparation, your garden can easily survive the season. Bring in houseplants before temperatures drop, cut back perennials, insulate plants with mulch, and collect seeds or cuttings from annuals so you can put them to use next season.

There are also plenty of winter-hardy flowers, plants, and vegetables you can incorporate into your outdoor space. Winter garden wonderland, here you come.

Invest in a Generator

To prepare for potential power outages, consider getting a generator for your home. "A home generator will have you up and running within seconds of losing power and can be used to run electrical heat sources during power outages, such as a water heater," says Cobb. "Always run generators outside at least 15 to 20 feet away from a doorway with the exhaust facing away from the home."

Check Your Fireplace

Before using, regularly inspect your fireplace to ensure it operates properly and safely. "If not properly maintained, a faulty fireplace can lead to a house fire or a potential carbon monoxide [emergency]," warns McCoy.

Look for any abnormalities like cracks, holes, and other forms of damage, and consider hiring a professional to come inspect your fireplace for nests, creosote buildup, soot, and other debris prior to firing it up. "Lastly, it's important to also vacuum or sweep out any accumulated ash from the firebox," says McCoy.

Make an Emergency Kit

Preparedness is key when it comes to severe winter weather. "The Red Cross encourages every household to have an emergency preparedness kit with essentials for evacuations, loss of power, or if you are stuck in your home for an extended period of time," says Stephanie Fox of American Red Cross National Headquarters.

"These kits should include non-perishable food items, water, extra prescription medication, a first-aid kit, copies of important documents, flashlights and lanterns with extra batteries, extra sets of warm clothing, and specific items to accommodate pets, children, the elderly, or any family members who may have a disability."

Protect Outdoor Equipment

Just as you want to keep everything inside your home safe, you'll want to protect your outdoor items, as well. "Consider storing your outdoor furniture and grills in the basement or garage, as cold temperatures, snow, and ice can cause them damage," advises McCoy. If your house doesn't have enough storage space for this, consider purchasing covers for your grill and patio furniture.

Sprinkler systems, swimming pool lines, and hoses are also susceptible to freezing. "For any outdoor faucets with cut-off valves, be sure they are closed and faucets are drained," says Cobb. Additionally, you can cover exterior faucets with insulated covers to help retain warmth from the home's interior. Keep garden hoses disconnected from exterior faucets to prevent water from freezing inside the hose.