A winter preparation plan that fits one weekend

Freeze protection, heating readiness, safety devices and drainage — ordered so the highest-consequence items happen first.

Last reviewed 2026-07-15 · About 6 min read

Winter failures are expensive because they combine water and absence. A pipe that freezes while nobody is home produces a very different repair bill than one that freezes while someone is standing there.

Freeze protection first

Disconnect and drain hoses, shut and drain exterior supply where valves exist, insulate exposed piping in unheated space, and know where the main shutoff is.

If you travel in winter, do not set the thermostat below a temperature that protects the plumbing.

Heating readiness

Service the heating system before the first cold snap, replace the filter, clear the area around the equipment, and confirm the thermostat schedule matches the season.

Water off the roof and away from the foundation

Clean gutters after leaf fall, confirm downspout discharge, and look for conditions that cause ice damming — usually attic heat loss and blocked soffit ventilation.

Safety devices

Winter increases combustion appliance run time and closed-house hours. Test CO and smoke alarms before the season, not during it.

When to call a professional

  • The furnace fails to ignite, cycles rapidly, or produces unusual odours
  • There is evidence of ice damming causing interior leaks
  • A pipe has frozen and you cannot safely locate or isolate it

Source notes

  • Local timing