Winter Prep Checklist: How to Get Your Property Ready

Winter Prep Checklist: How to Get Your Property Ready

Most winter damage begins as a minor, inexpensive issue in October. A loose shingle, dripping outdoor faucet, or soft deck board is easy to fix in mild weather. Left unaddressed until January, these problems can lead to ceiling leaks, burst pipes, or blocked walkways.

Winter preparation is equally important in regions without regular snow. In Texas and Nevada, homes are designed for heat, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected freezes. To help property owners prepare, we consulted a roofer, a plumber, and a builder of outdoor timber structures.

Start at the top: roof and gutters

The roof is the first to suffer damage from ice, wind, and the freeze-thaw cycles, which is why it should be the first area to be inspected. John Bacon, who owns Bacon Roofing in Rowlett, Texas, has been carrying out roof work in the Dallas–Fort Worth area since 1995.

"People assume winter isn't a roofing season in Texas, and then an ice storm shows them otherwise," Bacon says. "Ice doesn't create new problems. It finds the ones that were already there. A shingle that lifted in a spring wind or got bruised by hail lets water in, that water freezes, expands, and pries the gap a little wider every night."

He advises scheduling inspections in early fall, when crews are available and repairs are easier. Sealants and shingle adhesives require warm days to bond effectively. Waiting until December may result in only temporary repairs until spring. Bacon's fall roof checklist:

• Check for shingles that have been lifted, cracked or missing, with particular attention given to the edges and ridges since the wind reaches underneath there.
• Inspect flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. "The majority of leaks that I encounter begin at a penetration, not in the centre of the roof."
• Check fascia and soffits for peeling paint or soft wood, which can indicate water intrusion behind the gutters.
• Clean and inspect gutters. Clogged gutters trap water against the roof edge, which can freeze and cause ice buildup.
• Cut back any branches that project beyond the edge. Branches carrying ice are one of the main reasons for winter roof damage.
• Check attic ventilation and insulation. Warm, moist air escaping into the attic can cause condensation on decking and, in colder areas, lead to ice dams at the eaves.

Bacon notes that gutters are the most cost-effective protection for a roof. Ten minutes of maintenance in October can prevent costly repairs to fascia, soffits, and ceilings by February.

Protect the plumbing before the first freeze

Frozen pipes are among the most expensive winter claims and the damage usually only becomes apparent after the ice has melted. Walter Nance, a seasoned plumber and owner of Discount Drain Cleaning Las Vegas, says that homes in the desert are particularly vulnerable.

Nance explains that in Las Vegas, clear winter nights often drop below freezing. Much of the plumbing is located along exterior walls, in attics, or above ground, and is rarely insulated because homeowners do not consider the area freeze-prone. A single cold night can crack a pipe.

Nance's priorities, in order:

1. Unplug and drain garden hoses. If a hose remains attached, water can become trapped in the faucet body, which is a common cause of freeze-related service calls.

2. Cover outdoor taps with insulated caps. If an indoor shut-off valve is available, turn it off and open the outside tap to drain the pipe.

3. Insulate exposed pipes in garages, attics, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls using foam sleeves. Pay special attention to backflow preventers and irrigation lines.

4. Know the location of your main shut-off valve and ensure it operates properly. "The longer you take to find the valve if a pipe bursts, the more water will end up on the floor."

5. Have the water heater examined; flushing out the sediment before winter will help it cope when the incoming water is colder and demand is greater.

6. Make sure the drains and the sewer line are clear. Drains which are slow in the fall tend to become slower in winter due to the extra load from holiday cooking and guests bringing fats.

On the coldest nights, Nance suggests allowing taps on exterior walls to drip and opening cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can reach the pipes. "The cost of a dripping tap is only a few cents, but the cost of a burst pipe in the wall includes the drywall, the flooring and in some cases a week's loss of use of the kitchen."

He recommends keeping the heat on at a moderate level when away for the holidays, rather than turning it off. If the house will be empty for more than a few days, turn off the main water supply.

Don't forget decks, footbridges and outdoor timber

Decks, docks, boardwalks, and footbridges are fully exposed to winter conditions and are often overlooked until an accident occurs. Brian Kennedy, head of bridge consultancy at York Bridge Concepts for 15 years, specializes in designing and building custom timber bridges.

Kennedy explains that timber withstands cold but is damaged by repeated freeze-thaw cycles when water sits on the surface. Cracks worsen with each cycle. Damage seen in spring often starts with debris and standing water in fall.

Kennedy recommends a walk-over of every outdoor timber structure before winter:

• Remove leaves and debris from decking, including between boards and in drainage channels. Wet leaves retain moisture against the wood and become slippery when frosted.
• Check for soft areas, rot, or loose fasteners, especially where boards join posts and beams. "Insert a screwdriver into questionable wood; if it goes in easily, that component should be addressed before it must support a snow load."
• Ensure railings and handrails are secure, as people rely on them for support in icy conditions.
• Keep water drains away from footings and abutments instead of collecting around them.
• Reseal or stain exposed surfaces on a dry day while temperatures remain above the product's minimum requirement.
• Get a plan for de-icing: "Rock salt damages wood and fasteners; sand or a wood-safe de-icer provides traction without causing hardware corrosion."

He also recommends avoiding metal tools for ice removal. "It is better to use a plastic shovel and push snow off the boards, not across them, since a steel edge scratches the surface and lets water get into the grain."

For large structures such as vehicle bridges or long pedestrian walks, Kennedy recommends professional inspections every few years and after major storms. "A bridge which forms part of the way people get in and out of a property should not be found to have a problem only in winter."

Inside: heating, drafts and safety

Once the exterior is sealed, focus on retaining heat and ensuring household safety.

Before the first cold week, service the heating system and replace the furnace filter.

Install weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows to seal drafts. Gaps that let heat escape also allow cold air to reach pipes in exterior walls.

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. More fuel-burning appliances are used during the heating season.
• Have chimneys and fireplaces swept if used, and verify that dampers close completely.
• Keep flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a plan for maintaining warmth in at least one room during outages.
• Review your home insurance policy for coverage of freezing, water, and ice-related damage. Bacon notes that photos of the roof and exterior taken in fall can help support storm-related claims.

A simple timeline: October to the first freeze

Early fall (October)

• Book a roof inspection and make repairs while days are warm
• Trim branches over the roof, driveway, and walkways
• Inspect decks, bridges, and railings; reseal timber on a dry day
• Service the heating system and water heater

Mid-fall (November)

• Clean gutters after most leaves have dropped
• Disconnect hoses, drain outdoor lines, fit faucet covers
• Insulate exposed pip• Insulate exposed pipes and backflow preventers, doors and windows
• Test smoke and CO detectors
• Before the first hard freeze
• Locate and test the main water shut-off-safe de-icer and a plastic shovel
• Assemble an outage kit
• Photograph the roof and exterior for insurance records

The bottom line

The best time to address winter issues is before the season begins. Winter rarely causes damage itself; it exposes existing flaws. A brief fall inspection and maintenance of the roof, plumbing, and outdoor structures costs far less than emergency repairs during a freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions:

At what stage should I begin putting my property in preparation for winter?

October, preferably early in fall. Roof repairs, sealants, and wood stains need mild, dry weather to set correctly. It is also easier to book contractors before the first cold snap.

Does it necessary for houses in warm climates to be prepared for winter?

Right: Houses in places such as Texas and Nevada are generally constructed with heat in mind, and their pipes and roofs are left exposed or lack insulation since they are not intended to cope with ice. A single severe freeze event can cause pipes to burst or turn minor roof damage into a leak.

What should be done most immediately before the first freeze?

Protect the plumbing system by disconnecting the garden hoses, draining and covering the outdoor faucets, insulating any exposed pipes, and ensuring that you know the location of the main water shut-off valve.