Before the First Freeze: 8 Things to Check Around Your Home

By Hawkeye Home Inspectors

Fall in New England always seems to move quickly. One week the windows are open and the next morning there is frost on the ground. Before colder weather settles in, there are a few simple things worth checking around your home. Taking care of them now can help prevent bigger problems once temperatures start dropping.

1. Disconnect Your Garden Hoses
   Before freezing weather arrives, disconnect garden hoses from exterior faucets. A hose left connected can trap water and prevent some frost-resistant faucets from draining properly, increasing the risk of freeze damage. If the faucet has an interior shutoff valve, make sure you know where it is and that it operates properly.
2. Clean Out the Gutters
   By the end of fall, gutters can quickly fill with leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can prevent water from draining properly and may contribute to problems once freezing temperatures and snow arrive. While the gutters are being cleaned, check where the downspouts discharge. Water should be directed away from the foundation rather than collecting alongside the house. If the gutters or roof areas cannot be safely accessed from the ground, consider having a qualified professional perform the work.
3. Look at How Water Moves Around Your Property
   The next time it rains, take a walk around the house. Look for areas where water pools or collects near the foundation and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the house. Also look for low areas or soil that slopes toward the house rather than away from it. Drainage concerns are often easier to address before winter weather arrives.
4. Walk Around the Outside of Your Home
   You do not need to be a home inspector to notice when something has changed. Walk around the exterior and look at the foundation, siding, trim, windows, doors, and areas where pipes or utilities enter the house. Look for new cracks, gaps, loose materials, damaged components, or anything that appears different from the last time you looked. If something catches your attention, consider taking a closer look or having it evaluated by a qualified professional.
5. Turn the Heat On Before You Really Need It
   Do not wait until the first freezing night to find out there is a problem with your heating system. Turn the heat on ahead of time and make sure the system starts and operates normally. Replace or clean filters as recommended and keep combustible materials away from heating equipment. If the system is overdue for service, fall is a good time to schedule it.
6. Check Your Fireplace and Chimney
   If you plan to use your fireplace or wood stove this winter, make sure the chimney and flue are ready for use. If it has been a while since the chimney was cleaned or inspected, consider having a qualified chimney professional evaluate it before lighting the first fire of the season.
7. Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
   As heating season begins, take a few minutes to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check their manufacturing dates. Replace alarms that have reached the end of their service life and replace batteries where applicable. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are especially important during heating season.
8. Check Your Doors and Windows
   Walk around the house and check for drafts around windows and exterior doors. Weatherstripping wears out over time, and even small gaps can make a room feel noticeably colder. Make sure windows close properly, doors seal well, and worn weatherstripping is replaced before the cold settles in.

A Quick Walk Around Your Home Can Tell You a Lot

You do not need to spend an entire weekend getting your house ready for winter. Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is simply slow down, walk around your home, and pay attention to what you see. A dripping faucet, clogged gutter, water pooling near the foundation, or drafty window may not seem like a big deal in October. Once winter arrives, those same conditions can become a much bigger headache. Catching small problems now can often prevent more costly repairs later.

Hawkeye Home Inspectors serves homeowners, buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Hawkeye helps clients better understand their homes by providing thorough, practical home inspections and straightforward guidance.