Winterize Your Home: A 12-Point Checklist for Northern Virginia
Daniel ParkNo. 89
Updated
Key takeaways
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze.
- Service your heating system and replace the filter.
- Clean gutters to prevent ice dams and water damage.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as heating season begins.
Northern Virginia winters swing from mild days to sudden freezes and snow. This checklist helps you stay comfortable and avoid costly damage.
The 12-point checklist
- Disconnect hoses and shut off and drain outdoor faucets.
- Have the furnace or heat pump serviced.
- Replace the HVAC filter, and keep spares on hand.
- Clean gutters and make sure downspouts drain away from the house.
- Seal drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk.
- Insulate exposed pipes in garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Have the chimney inspected before the first fire.
- Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.
- Trim branches that could fall on the roof or power lines.
- Stock ice melt, a shovel and flashlights.
- Know where your main water shutoff is.
| If this happens | Do this |
|---|---|
| A pipe freezes | Open the faucet and warm the area gently. Never use an open flame. |
| A pipe bursts | Shut off the main water valve and call a plumber. |
| Power goes out | Keep doors closed and never run a generator indoors. |
Daniel’s tip: On the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip slightly. It’s a simple way to prevent frozen pipes.
Need an HVAC pro, plumber or chimney sweep?
Frequently asked questions
When should I winterize?
Before the first hard freeze, which in Northern Virginia often arrives in late fall.
What should I do in spring?
See the season-by-season plan in You Got the Keys. Now What?
Filed under Home & Design
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