Winter weather can be tough on homes, especially when small issues compound into big repairs. Frozen pipes, ice dams, and furnace breakdowns are some of the most common and costly winter headaches, but the good news is that many are preventable with a simple checklist. Here are the high impact tasks to knock out now to keep your home protected all season in Rochester, Michigan.

1) Prevent Frozen Pipes

Start outside by disconnecting garden hoses, draining them, and covering exterior spigots. Inside, inspect exposed pipes in basements, crawlspaces, garages, and under sinks on exterior walls. Adding foam insulation sleeves is an inexpensive fix that can save thousands in repairs.

On extremely cold nights, keep interior cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate, and make sure your home stays at a consistent temperature, even if you are away. Most importantly, locate your main water shutoff so you can act quickly if a pipe bursts.

2) Reduce Ice Dam Risk

Ice dams form when heat escapes into the attic, melts roof snow, and refreezes at the roof edge, forcing water back under shingles. First, clean gutters and downspouts so meltwater can drain properly. Next, check attic insulation and air sealing. A warmer than expected attic is a warning sign.

Watch for icicles along the roofline or water stains near exterior walls and ceilings. After heavy snowfall, consider safely using a roof rake from the ground to reduce snow buildup near the eaves.

3) Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly

Furnace failures often happen during the coldest weeks, when service schedules are packed. Replace your furnace filter regularly, keep vents unobstructed, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. If you have not scheduled a tune up in the last year, or if your system is older, it is worth booking service now for safety and efficiency.

A little winter prep can prevent expensive surprises and help protect your home’s value long term. If you would like help prioritizing what matters most for your specific home in Rochester, Michigan, I am happy to share a quick winter ready game plan.