Cold months can be tough on a home snow, ice, wind, and freezing temperatures all leave their mark.
Now’s the perfect time to check things over, freshen up, and make sure your place is ready for the months ahead.
Here’s your friendly, step-by-step checklist to de-winterize your home—inside and out.
Inside the Hous
1.Check your washer and fridge hoses
Did you know washing machine hoses are the #1 cause of water damage inside homes? Give them a look if you see cracks, bulges, or leaks, replace them. Same for fridge water lines.
Pro Tip: Consider an automatic shut-off system—it can catch small leaks before they become big disasters.
2.Give your electrical outlets a once-over
Loose plugs? Frayed wires? Overloaded power strips? These are fire hazards. Fix or replace anything that looks sketchy.
3.Review your home insurance
Spring storms happen. If you’ve done any remodeling or upgrades recently, your coverage might need updating. It’s worth a quick call to your insurance provider to make sure you’re protected.
4.Inspect doors and windows
Check locks to make sure they latch properly, and look over window and door screens for holes (bugs only need a tiny invite to move in).
5.Clean your air vents
Dusty vents can trigger allergies. Wipe them down, clean your dryer vent, and replace your furnace filter.
6.Peek at your toilet
Look for leaks around the base and check that everything is flushing smoothly. Small leaks now can mean big water damage later.
7.Have your roof checked
Winter’s freeze-thaw cycle can turn tiny cracks into big leaks. Catch them before rainwater does.
Pro Tip for Turning the Water Back On: Have someone inside the house while you slowly turn the main water supply on. That way, you can spot leaks before they become floods.
Outside the House
Seal it up
Caulk around windows and siding joints—spring rains will find any tiny opening.
Trim back plants
Bushes and tree limbs rubbing against siding can wear away paint and cause damage.
9.Test your sprinkler system
Look for leaky valves or broken heads. Fixing them now saves your lawn (and your water bill) later.
10Check your driveway
Winter water can cause cracks when it freezes and thaws. Resealing now can prevent bigger damage.
Pro Tip for Outside Checks: Run water through each outdoor spigot and check for leaks in the crawl space, attic, or basement.
The Bottom Line
Think of spring maintenance as giving your home a little TLC after winter’s long nap. A few hours now can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches later.
So grab a coffee, put on some music, and work through this list at your own pace. Your home will thank you all season long.
