Pre-Winter Home Prep

We see firsthand how important it is to take care of your home. That’s why we’ve compiled this checklist of tasks to tackle each fall to help you prepare for New England’s harsh winters.

We’ve broken it down into two parts: things to do every year, and those to take care of every few years.

To do every year:

■ Exterior

• Clean gutters (twice a year)

• Turn off irrigation system for the season and drain and cover all  outdoor faucets and pipes.

• Store outdoor furniture, grills, and garden tools.

■ Heating and Insulation

• Service your furnace or boiler before winter starts.

• Replace HVAC filters to improve efficiency and air quality (twice a year)

• Inspect chimneys and fireplaces and clean out soot.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.

• Use draft stoppers at doors and windows to prevent heat loss.

■ Plumbing and Water Systems

• Insulate exposed pipes in basements, attics, and garages.

• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located.

• Flush your water heater to remove sediment and improve performance.

■ Electrical & Safety

• Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, and blankets.

• Inspect and test generators and stock up on safe fuel.

■ Interior Comfort

• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air downward.

• Stock up on essentials like salt, snow shovels, and pantry items.

To do every few years:

• Inspect the roof for missing or damaged shingles and repair as needed.

• Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and siding.

• Add insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.

• Insulate exposed pipes in basements, attics, and garages.

• Flush your water heater to remove sediment and improve performance.