Getting Your Home Ready for Fall & Winter

An afternoon of fall prep now can save you from a frozen pipe, a flooded basement or a leaking roof in January.

Here on the North Shore, winter does not ease in. Heavy snow, sudden thaws and hard freezes put real stress on a home, and most of the damage starts with small things we skipped in October. This checklist walks you through the jobs that matter most, outside first, then inside, so you can tackle them one weekend at a time.

Whether you have lived in your home for 30 years or just closed on your first one, these steps protect your investment and keep your family comfortable all season.

Start Outside: Gutters, Roof and Yard

The exterior is your home’s first line of defense, so begin there.

• Clean the gutters. Remove fallen leaves and debris to prevent clogs, water damage and ice dams. Make sure downspouts carry water away from your foundation.
• Inspect the roof and chimney. Look for missing or damaged shingles, and have your chimney and flue professionally swept and inspected before you light the first fire.
• Seal gaps and cracks. Check windows and doors for air leaks and apply fresh caulk or weatherstripping. Repair cracks in driveways and walkways while the weather is still mild.
• Rake and trim. Clear dead leaves from the lawn, trim back overgrown vegetation and dead branches near power lines, and bring potted plants indoors.
• Clean and cover your grill (or move inside the garage for the winter).
• Cover your AC unit, leaving room at the bottom for air flow.

Protect Your Home From Winter Water

Water does the most damage in winter, because it freezes, expands and finds every weak spot. These five jobs are the most important on the list.

1. Prevent ice dams. When heavy snow melts from roof heat and refreezes at the cold eaves, the ice forces water under your shingles. This is what happened last year in our area. Clear the gutters completely so water can flow, and make sure your attic has proper ventilation and insulation to keep the roof deck cool.
2. Stop downspout pooling. Saturated ground puts heavy pressure on foundation walls. Attach downspout extensions so water discharges at least 5 to 6 feet from the house.
3. Test your sump pump. A wet winter with sudden thaws makes it work overtime. Pour water into the basin to confirm it triggers, check that the outside discharge line is clear, and make sure your battery backup works in case a storm knocks out power.
4. Seal driveway and walkway cracks. Meltwater slips into small cracks, expands as it freezes and breaks up the concrete. Fill them now with a durable exterior concrete caulk.
5. Drain outdoor spigots. Frozen water can split a copper line. Disconnect and store your hoses, shut off the indoor valve to each outdoor faucet, open the spigot to drain it, and leave it open. Insulated hose bib covers add extra protection.

Get the Inside Ready: Heat, Humidity and Drafts

Once the outside is secure, turn to the systems that keep you warm and your home dry.

• Service your HVAC. Schedule a professional tune-up for your furnace or heat pump, and replace the air filters.
• Reverse your ceiling fans. Run them clockwise on low to push warm air back down into the room.
• Clean the dryer vent. Clear lint from the exhaust duct and the space behind the dryer to lower the risk of fire.
• Control indoor humidity. Humid air meeting cold window glass creates condensation that rots wooden sills and feeds mold. Aim for 30% to 40% relative humidity in cold weather, using exhaust fans or a dehumidifier.
• Block entryway drafts. Put rubber-backed utility mats by the doors to trap wet snow and slush, and replace worn door sweeps to keep freezing air out.
• Add coziness. Heavy drapes and draft stoppers help, and so does lowering the thermostat when you are away to trim your energy bill.

Don’t Skip the Safety Check

Heating season is when home fires and carbon monoxide risks go up, so give safety its own few minutes.

• Test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector, and replace old batteries.
• Confirm that a multipurpose fire extinguisher is fully charged and easy to reach.
• Keep the dryer vent and furnace area clear of lint, dust and clutter.

When to Call a Pro

Some jobs are safest left to a local specialist, especially anything involving heights, your roofline or your foundation. Have a professional clear and flush the gutters so melting snow drains instead of pooling at the roof edge, and book your furnace tune-up and chimney inspection early, before the busy season fills the calendar.

If you are not sure whether your home is ready, I am happy to point you toward my resource list of trusted local contractors.

Karen Daugerdas, your family REALTOR®, COLDWELL BANKER REALTY: Skokie, Morton Grove, Des Plaines & the North Shore,  847.494.1102, karen.daugerdas@cbrealty.com