Getting Your Home Ready for Fall & Winter: An Item-by-Item + Region-by-Region Quick Guide

The days are getting shorter, the air’s getting crisper, and the leaves are starting to change colors. That can only mean one thing: it’s time to get your home ready for fall and winter!

Whether you’re bracing for snowstorms in the Northeast, rain in the PNW, or just cooler desert nights in the Southwest, a little prep now makes your home safer, cozier, and way less stressful later. Let’s do a quick walk through of what to do both inside and outside, with tips tailored to where you live.

Interior (For Every Home)

1. Heating Check-Up

   • Schedule a furnace or HVAC service so it’s running efficiently before you actually need it.

   • Change your filters (not only will you get cleaner air but this will lower power bills).

   • If you use radiators, bleed them to release trapped air.

2. Chimney & Fireplace

   • Have your chimney inspected and swept - creosote buildup is a fire hazard.

   • Stock up on firewood or pellets now, before there is limited supply right before a storm.

   • If you have a gas fireplace, check to see if it can operate on batteries and/or if it has a fan to blow hot air out. If so, ensure you have the batteries at home, they are accessible, or they are newly installed. This way you will still have a heat/light source in the event of a power outage.

3. Windows & Doors

   • Check for drafts. Even a small gap can raise your heating bill. Weatherstripping is cheap and easy to install, window tape works, or there are these cubes that are perfect for small draft areas.

   • Heavy curtains or thermal drapes help keep heat inside.

   • Consider draft stoppers for doors in older homes with larger gaps.

4. Safety Checks

   • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

   • Replace batteries in detectors if it’s been a while, even if they are currently operating.

   • Make sure you own at least one fire extinguisher, and that the fire extinguisher isn’t expired. (I’m guilty of not having one, added to cart right now!)

   • Clean dryer vents — in dry winter air, lint fires are more common.

5. Cozy Factor

   • Wash and pull out those throw blankets.

   • Rotate bedding - flannel sheets and/or thicker comforters will keep you cozy.

   • Add warm lighting (lamps, candles, candle warmers, battery operated lights, etc.).

Exterior Prep

1. Gutters & Roof

   • Clear out leaves and debris so in the even of rain and snow, water can drain properly.

   • Check shingles for damage, better to fix now than during a storm.

2. Yard & Garden

   • Trim trees and shrubs, especially branches close to your roof or power lines.

   • Rake leaves before they pile up (you can also use them as mulch or compost).

   • Winterize garden beds - mulch protects roots from frost.

   • Add iron to plants that tend to brown during the colder months - this will keep them green all winter long.

3. Outdoor Faucets, Hoses, and Sprinkler Systems

   • Drain and store hoses.

   • In potentially freezing regions, cover spigots to avoid burst pipes. (this is my favorite cover)

   • Hire a landscaping company to winterize your sprinkler system to avoid burst pipes and an expensive problem.

   • Turn off exterior water sources for the cold months.

4. Patio Furniture & Grills

   • Clean and cover them, or move into storage. (If you cover them, store cushions inside so critters don’t make a home in them and ruin them)

   • Oil cast iron grates so they don’t rust.

5. Driveways & Walkways

   • Fill cracks before freeze-thaw cycles make them worse.

   • Stock up on pet-safe ice melt if needed.

   • Remove moss, mold, and mildew - these become super slippery when cold and wet, and can result in serious injury.

Regional Tips (In addition to the applicable above steps)

Pacific Northwest (Rainy & Mostly Mild Winters)

• Focus on moisture control: check basements/crawl spaces for leaks.

• Ensure weep holes in windows are clear and working.

• Keep extra mats and boot trays by the door for all the wet clothes and shoes.

• Clean moss off sidewalks and driveways - it gets very slippery!

• If it’s been a while, stain your fence and/or deck to protect the wood from rotting.

• During cold snaps, for pipes that run on exterior walls, keep the cabinets open (i.e. under sink) to allow heat into cabinet, and trickle water overnight to avoid frozen pipes and toilets

Southwest (Desert Days, Cool Nights)

• Watch out for sudden temperature swings. Insulate pipes that run outside or in garages.

• Change air filters often (dust storms love to sneak inside).

• Seal windows/doors — desert nights get surprisingly cold.

South (Mild Days, Surprise Freezes)

• Ensure you have the necessary supplies to cover plants and outdoor faucets before random overnight freezes.

• Service heat pumps early (they’re more common here than furnaces).

• Seal entry points - bugs and critters like to sneak inside as temps drop.

Northeast (Cold, Snow, & Ice)

• Stock up on pet friendly ice melt and make sure snow shovels/blowers are ready. (or try these shovel blowers)

• Insulate exposed pipes to prevent freezing.

• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.

• Check attic insulation - it prevents heat loss and ice dams.

Midwest (Snowstorms & Deep Freezes)

• Get your snow gear ready: shovels, pet friendly ice melt, shovels/blowers, and car kits.

• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.

• Check attic insulation - it prevents heat loss and ice dams.

Rocky Mountain States (Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho)

• Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.

• Service snow blowers and stock up on fuel, pet friendly ice melt, and shovels.

• Keep an emergency car kit (chains, blankets, food, water).

Great Plains (Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma)

• Windproofing matters here: check siding, shutters, and storm doors.

• Clear storm drains around your property so snowmelt can flow away.

• Stock up on supplies in case you get snowed in.

Southeast & Florida (Humid & Hurricane Risk)

• Hurricane season runs through late fall - check shutters, backup power, and emergency kits, if you haven’t already.

• Focus on moisture and mold prevention indoors.

• Even without snow, clean gutters to handle heavy rains.

Alaska & Northern States

• Heavy-duty prep: insulate pipes, check generators, and stock up on heating fuel.

• Keep snow removal gear (and backup supplies) ready.

• Double-check seals on windows and doors - heat loss is costly here.

Quick Weekend Checklist

• Change HVAC filter

• Clean gutters & downspouts

• Test smoke/CO detectors

• Drain hoses & cover spigots (if freezing temps apply)

• Seal drafts around windows/doors

• Prep blankets, bedding, and cozy touches

• Check snow/ice removal supplies (if in a snowy region)

• Check batteries and supplies for unexpected power outages

No matter where you live, prepping your home now means you’ll spend the colder months enjoying them, not scrambling to fix problems and potential damage to your home.