Winter home maintenance checklist.
Keep the heat in, the water moving, and the alarms working. Winter is the season when small failures get expensive fast.
Build a winter plan
Choose your home profile and climate; the plan starts with the current month.
The year, at a glance
Twelve months of small jobs, grouped by when they matter. Check things off as you go; the plan stays in this browser.
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Tell us the home type, age, climate, heating, and features. We will build a 12-month schedule from the current month forward.
Home maintenance plan / next 12 months
Your rhythm
Water, heat, and alarms.
Winter work is about preventing the three failures that cause the most damage: frozen pipes, heating breakdowns, and undetected carbon monoxide. Everything else can wait for a warmer day.
The winter shortlist
- Keep the heat above 55°F and open cabinet doors on cold nights.
- Disconnect hoses and know where the main water shutoff is.
- Change the furnace filter and book service before it fails.
- Test smoke and CO alarms; replace expired units.
- Keep indoor humidity around 30–50% and clean the humidifier.
Never use a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors. If you smell gas or suspect CO, leave the house and call the utility or emergency services.
Good questions.
Short answers. Local codes and licensed trades still decide the details.
What is on a winter home maintenance checklist?
Furnace filters, smoke and CO detectors, pipe freeze prevention, humidifier care, fireplace safety, and a quick check of weatherstripping and exterior doors.
How do I keep pipes from freezing?
Keep the heat above 55°F, open cabinet doors on exterior walls, insulate vulnerable pipes, seal drafts, disconnect hoses, and know where the main water shutoff is. On extreme nights, a slow trickle can help at risk-prone fixtures.
How often should I test smoke and CO detectors?
Test smoke and CO alarms monthly, replace batteries at least yearly or when they chirp, and replace the alarms by their expiry date. CO alarms have a limited sensor life.
What humidity should a house be in winter?
A common target is about 30–50% relative humidity. Too high can cause condensation and mold; too low can feel dry and crack wood. Use a hygrometer and adjust gradually.