Keep the heat on and the pipes intact through the worst of winter

01Get the house ready before the first hard freeze

A few hours of work in October or November heads off most winter damage. The common thread is keeping heat where it belongs and water where it can't freeze.

1. Service the heating system

   Have a technician check the furnace or boiler, and replace the filter. If you burn wood, get the chimney inspected and swept.

2. Shut off outdoor faucets

   Disconnect hoses, close the indoor shutoff valve for each outside spigot if you have one, and drain the line.

3. Seal and insulate the attic

   Air leaks and thin insulation let heat warm the roof, which feeds ice dams. Sealing gaps around lights, pipes, and hatches is a good first step.

4. Clean the gutters

   Clogged gutters hold meltwater where it can refreeze along the roof edge.

5. Find the main water shutoff

   Make sure everyone in the house knows where it is and that the valve actually turns. Tag it so it's easy to spot in a hurry.

6. Test CO and smoke alarms

   Heating season is when carbon monoxide risk peaks. Replace batteries and any alarms past their expiration date.

02Keep pipes from freezing — and handle one that does

Pipes in unheated or exterior spaces are most at risk, especially during long stretches of very cold weather. A burst pipe often isn't noticed until it thaws and water starts running.

1. If a tap runs to a trickle, suspect a freeze

   Leave the faucet open so water can flow once it starts melting.

2. Warm the pipe gently

   Use a hair dryer, an electric heating pad, or towels soaked in hot water, working from the faucet back toward the frozen section.

3. If it has burst, shut the main

   Turn off the main water valve right away, then call a plumber. Shut off power to any area where water is near outlets or appliances.

03Stay warm safely when the power goes out

Most furnaces need electricity to run their blowers and controls, even if they burn gas. A winter outage means planning both how you'll make heat and how you'll keep a house full of people safe from carbon monoxide.

04Watch the roof — snow load and ice dams

Most roofs handle normal snow without trouble. Problems come from heavy, wet snow piling up over several storms, drifts against higher walls, and ice dams that force meltwater under shingles.

1. Know the warning signs

   Sagging ceilings, new cracks in drywall, doors that suddenly stick, or creaking sounds can signal too much weight. Get people out and call a professional.

2. Rake from the ground

   A long-handled roof rake lets you pull the bottom few feet of snow off the roof edge without climbing a ladder.

3. Open a channel in ice dams

   Calcium chloride melt products can cut a path for trapped water to drain. Avoid rock salt, which can damage shingles and plants.

4. Fix the cause in spring

   Ice dams are mostly a symptom of heat escaping into the attic. Air sealing and insulation are the long-term fix.

05When a winter storm warning is posted

1. 2–3 days
   Stock the house.

   Pick up groceries, medications, and pet food. Fill the car's tank and get fuel for the generator, stored safely outside the living space.

2. 1 day
   Get the house ready.

   Charge batteries and power stations, check that CO alarms work, set out flashlights, and store drinking water.

3. Storm hits
   Stay in and stay warm.

   Keep the heat up, open cabinet doors under sinks, and avoid travel. If you must drive, carry a winter car kit.

4. After
   Dig out carefully.

   Shovel in short sessions and take breaks — heavy snow is hard on the heart. Clear furnace and dryer vents and check on neighbors.