Winter Maintenance Tips to Keep Your PNW Home Safe & Comfortable

Winter has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest, which usually means colder temperatures, heavier rain, windstorms, and the occasional power outage. A little preparation now can save a lot of stress (and money) later. Here are some simple winter maintenance reminders to help keep your home healthy, safe, and comfortable through the colder months.

Insulate and protect your pipes.
Wrap exposed pipes — especially those in crawl spaces, garages, or exterior walls — to help protect them from freezing. A burst pipe can be incredibly costly, so this is one of the easiest preventative steps to take.

Be storm-ready.
If a winter storm is in the forecast, make sure you have flashlights and fresh batteries handy. It’s also smart to stock up on firewood and/or generator fuel if your home uses them. Even short power outages can feel long when it’s dark, cold, and rainy.

Check your heating system.
Replace furnace air filters and, if needed, have your heating system serviced. Clean filters improve air quality, help your system run more efficiently, and reduce energy costs during peak heating season.

Reverse your ceiling fans.
This is an easy one many people forget. Set your ceiling fans to spin clockwise in winter. This creates a gentle updraft that pushes warm air from the ceiling back down into the room, helping keep things cozy without turning the thermostat up.

Clean gutters and exterior drains.
With all the rain we get here, clogged gutters or drains can lead to water pooling where you don’t want it. Make sure leaves and debris are cleared so water can flow away from your home properly.

Seal drafts and check weatherstripping.
Check doors and windows for drafts and replace worn weatherstripping as needed. Keeping cold air out helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures and lowers heating bills.

Cover outdoor items.
Protect patio furniture, grills, and outdoor equipment with covers or store them away for the winter. This helps extend their lifespan and keeps them ready for spring.

A little maintenance now can go a long way toward protecting your home and making winter a lot more enjoyable. If you’re unsure where to start, tackling just one or two items a weekend is a great way to spread it out.

Stay warm, stay dry, and enjoy the season!