1. Roof & Exterior
Clear the gutters. Pull out a summer’s worth of leaves and weeds, then consider screens. Harness on if you’re going up the ladder.
Read the shingles. Bent, torn or lifting tabs let water in. Check the flashing around the chimney and any roof penetrations.
Heat cables. On problem edges they cut ice and snow buildup considerably.
Look at the attic. Thin or compressed insulation is what makes ice dams; even coverage is what prevents them.
One trip up. If the Christmas lights are going on the roof, hang them while the harness is already on.
2. Doors & Windows
40%of a home’s heating and cooling loss can come from openings that aren’t properly sealed.
Redo the weather stripping. Thresholds and door sweeps for the floor gap; V-strips, adhesive tape or compression tube along the frame.
Pull the screens. Take removable window screens off and store them for the season.
Wash and dry the glass. Sills included — caulking needs a clean, fully dry surface to bond.
Recaulk. Chip out the cracked and crumbling bead and run fresh silicone; it stays flexible through frost and heat.
Big gaps and thin glass. Foam spray seals the large openings; a window film kit adds a layer over single panes.
3. Heat, Fire & Water
Service the furnace. Power off first. Check that pipes and wiring are secure and leak-free, then clean or replace the filter.
Sweep the chimney. A wood fireplace wants an inspection and a soot clean-out — that build-up is a fire and carbon monoxide risk.
Schedule the thermostat. A smart unit set around an empty house pays for itself over a corridor winter.
Protect the pipes. Insulate crawlspace vents and any run against an exterior wall; foam tubing on the rest.
Leaving for the winter? Hold the house at 13°C or warmer and add a leak sensor before you go.
Sump pump. Worth having if a pipe does let go — and insulate the discharge line so it can’t freeze shut.