Winter Home Maintenance Checklist for Boise: 10 Things to Do!
Winter damage often starts with small warning signs. A furnace that is working too hard, a tiny drip that freezes, or a blocked vent can lead to expensive problems later. Most of these issues are avoidable, but only if they are handled early.
This winter home maintenance checklist is a quick, step-by-step guide for Boise homeowners. It covers the most important winter tasks so your home stays comfortable, your systems run safely, and you are less likely to deal with emergency repairs.
1. Service Your Heating System and Change The Air Filter
A furnace that is dirty or struggling can fail at the worst time. Replace your HVAC filter, make sure vents are not blocked, and schedule a tune-up. The U.S. Department of Energy also recommends checking heating equipment as part of a home energy check because it affects comfort and energy use.
Quick check: Filter changed, vents clear, thermostat working.
2. Seal Drafts Around Doors and Windows
If a room feels cold even when the heat is on, air leaks may be the reason. Look for drafts around doors, windows, and where pipes or wires go through walls. Sealing air leaks is a top step in DIY home energy checks because it can improve comfort and cut wasted heat.
Quick check: Add weatherstripping, use door sweeps, seal small gaps.
3. Check Attic and Crawl Space Insulation
Insulation helps keep warm air inside during winter and can make rooms feel more even and comfortable. Proper insulation reduces heat flow and improves comfort. Adding insulation and reducing air leaks can lower heating and cooling costs for many homes.
Quick check: Inspect the attic, look for thin spots, add insulation where needed.
4. Protect Pipes From Freezing
Frozen pipes can burst and cause major water damage. Insulate exposed pipes and keep warm air moving to help prevent freezing. If a sink is on an outside wall, open the cabinet doors sometimes to let warm air reach the pipes.
Quick check: Insulate pipes, close garage doors, know where your main shutoff valve is.
5. Clean Gutters and Check The Roof Edge
Clogged gutters can trap water, which can freeze and create ice problems near the roof. Clean your gutters and check roof areas before winter weather hits. Also, look for loose shingles or damaged flashing around vents.
Quick check: Gutters clear, downspouts flowing, roof edges look secure.
6. Test Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
CO is a gas you cannot see or smell, and it can be deadly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends CO alarms on each level of the home outside each sleeping area, and also urges annual inspection of fuel-burning appliances like furnaces and water heaters. Press the test button on each alarm and replace batteries if needed.
Quick check: Alarms tested, batteries replaced, alarms placed in the right spots.
7. Use Heaters and Generators Safely
Space heaters and winter power outages can raise safety risks. Never use a generator inside a home or garage. It’s advisable to use battery-powered or battery backup CO detectors when generators are used. Be mindful of generator placement and CO safety during winter storms.
Quick check: Heaters away from curtains, generators outdoors and far from windows/doors.
8. Inspect and Clean Your Fireplace and Chimney
If you burn wood, chimney buildup can become a fire risk. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in the winter months. Chimneys and heating equipment should be cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. If you do not use the fireplace, make sure the damper area is closed to reduce drafts.
Quick check: Annual inspection scheduled, fireplace area clear, damper working.
9. Winterize Outdoor Faucets, Hoses, and Irrigation
Outdoor plumbing is easy to forget, but it is often the first thing that freezes. Remove and drain hoses, and don’t leave them attached because water can freeze and damage the spigot. For sprinkler systems, winterizing often means blowing water out with pressurized air. This is because frozen water can break pipes and parts.
Quick check: Hoses removed, outdoor faucets protected, irrigation shut off and winterized.
10. Build a Simple Winter Storm Kit
Winter storms can cause power outages and blocked roads. Gather food, water, medicine, and supplies before a storm and organize them for home use. Include flashlights, batteries, a phone charger bank, blankets, and a plan for pets.
Quick check: Flashlights ready, batteries stocked, food/water set aside.
Quick Printable Home Maintenance Checklist
✔️ Heat system check + change filter
✔️ Seal drafts (doors/windows/gaps)
✔️ Check insulation (attic/crawl space)
✔️ Protect pipes (insulate, shutoff plan)
✔️ Clean gutters + roof edge check
✔️ Test smoke + CO alarms
✔️ Heater + generator safety check
✔️ Chimney/fireplace inspected
✔️ Winterize hoses + irrigation
✔️ Build winter storm kit
When to Hire a Home Maintenance Service in Boise, ID
Some winter tasks are simple DIY. Others are safer and faster with a pro, especially electrical, HVAC, and backflow-related work. M Property Services is licensed and insured in Idaho for electrical, HVAC, and backflow systems, and offers broader property maintenance support.
Need Help Checking Items Off This Checklist?
For homeowners who want a local team to handle winter home maintenance service in Boise ID, M Property Services offers property maintenance support in the Boise area. Call us at (208) 861-2751 today to schedule a service and make your home winter-ready.
FAQs
What Is The Most Important Thing On A Winter Home Maintenance Checklist?
The top priority is keeping the home safe and warm. Start with the heating system, then protect pipes from freezing, and test CO and smoke alarms.
How Do I Stop Pipes From Freezing In Winter?
Insulate exposed pipes, keep the home heated, and let warm air reach pipes under sinks by opening cabinet doors sometimes.
Do I Really Need Carbon Monoxide Alarms?
Yes. Carbon monoxide is invisible and can build up from fuel-burning appliances. Homes should have CO alarms on each level outside sleeping areas.
Should Boise Homeowners Winterize Sprinkler Systems?
Yes, if the system has water in the lines, freezing can crack pipes and parts. Winterizing means removing water from the system, often by using pressurized air (a blowout).
What Should Be In A Winter Storm Kit At Home?
Keep basic food, water, and medicines, plus lights, batteries, blankets, and a way to charge phones.
When Should I Call A Home Maintenance Service?
Call a home maintenance service when the task involves electrical work, HVAC issues, or anything that feels unsafe.
How to winterize your home checklist?
A winterization checklist includes checking the heating system, sealing drafts, and protecting pipes. It also includes cleaning gutters and testing safety alarms.
What is a seasonal home maintenance checklist?
A seasonal home maintenance checklist is a list of tasks done at different times of the year to keep a home safe, efficient, and in good condition.
What to do when leaving the house for 4 months in winter?
Set the thermostat to a safe low temperature and shut off and drain water lines if possible. Also, unplug electronics, arrange snow removal, and have someone check the home regularly.
What is winter maintenance?
Winter maintenance is the process of preparing a home to protect it from cold weather.