Quick answer: Before the first hard freeze, clear the gutters, winterize the sprinklers, trim branches over the roof, check the roof after storms, clean the dryer vent, and line up snow removal if you get snow.
A few jobs in late fall save a lot of trouble in January. Here's a short checklist you can work through in a weekend, or hand to local pros.
What should I do outside before winter?
- Clean the gutters and flush the downspouts. Leaves are down; clogged gutters overflow and can freeze.
- Winterize the sprinkler system. Water left in the lines can freeze and crack pipes and heads.
- Trim branches over the roof and driveway. Snow and ice make heavy limbs snap.
- Look at the roof. Missing shingles or lifted flashing let water in slowly. Check from the ground with binoculars, or ask a roofer.
- Clean the dryer vent. Heavy winter laundry plus a lint-clogged vent means long drying times and a fire risk.
- Drain and store garden hoses. Shut off outdoor taps from inside if your home has shut-off valves.
- Clean up leaves on the lawn. A thick layer smothers grass over winter.
- Line up snow removal before the first storm, if you get snow.
Which jobs can I do myself?
Hoses, taps and leaf cleanup are easy DIY jobs. Anything on a ladder at roof height (gutters, branches near power lines, roof checks) is worth handing to a pro, especially in cold or wet weather.
When is it too late?
Gutters and sprinklers can be done right up to the first hard freeze. Snow removal crews fill their routes early, so don't wait for the forecast.
Need a hand? Find gutter cleaning, sprinkler winterizing or tree trimming near you.