A Mild Winter Is Still a Winter: How to Winterize Your Pacific Northwest Home

A Mild Winter Is Still a Winter: How to Winterize Your Pacific Northwest Home

Forecasters are calling for a mild winter across the Pacific Northwest this year. That's welcome news, but it doesn't mean we're off the hook. Here, one cold snap, an ice storm, or a few nights in the low 20s is all it takes to burst a pipe or back up a gutter.

An afternoon of fall prep protects your home, your budget, and your home's value. Whether you're settling in, renting out a property, or getting ready to list in the spring, here's how to winterize your home the smart way.

Start with your plumbing

A frozen pipe is the most expensive winter problem most homeowners face. Once a pipe splits, water keeps flowing until someone shuts it off. If you're away, that can mean soaked floors, ruined drywall, and mold within days.

• Insulate exposed pipes. Check the crawlspace, garage, and attic. Foam or fiberglass pipe sleeves from the hardware store are inexpensive; cover the full length of the pipe.
• Shut off and drain outdoor spigots. Close the interior shut-off valve, then open the outside faucet to drain it. Disconnect hoses and add an insulated faucet cover.
• Blow out irrigation systems. Sprinkler lines crack easily. Turn the system off and clear remaining water with compressed air, or hire a pro.
• Keep the heat on. Pipes run through cold walls and crawlspaces you can't monitor. Keep the thermostat at a steady temperature, even when you're traveling.
• Know where your main shut-off is. If a pipe does burst, every minute counts.

If you're building or remodeling, approved plastic piping like PEX handles freezing better than copper or steel.

Seal the drafts

Small gaps around windows, doors, and electrical outlets let warm air out and cold, damp air in. Leaks usually hide where two materials meet.

To find them, pick a breezy day and walk the house. Hold a hand near frames and outlets, or watch a lit incense stick: if the smoke blows sideways, you've found a leak. Most can be fixed in an afternoon with caulk, weatherstripping, or outlet gaskets.

Check your insulation

Heat rises, so the attic is where a home loses the most of it. Think of attic insulation as a winter hat for your house. In colder climates, aim for about 12 inches of attic insulation; if you can see the tops of your ceiling joists, you likely need more.

Storm windows and storm doors add another layer of protection against wind-driven rain and cold.

Get your heating and cooling ready

Your furnace works hardest in winter, so test it before the first cold night, not during it.

• Test the furnace. Turn the thermostat up a few degrees. If it doesn't respond quickly, call for service now, before technicians are booked solid.
• Swap the air filter if it looks dirty.
• Top off fuel. If your system runs on oil or propane, fill the tank.
• Protect the AC or heat pump. Hose leaves and debris off the outdoor unit. If it's AC-only, a breathable waterproof cover helps prevent rust. Don't cover a heat pump you use for heating.
• Pull window AC units. Store them for the season; the gaps around them let cold air in.
• Reverse ceiling fans. Set them to spin clockwise on low to push warm air down from the ceiling.

Inspect the chimney and fireplace

A cozy fire is part of a Northwest winter, but check the chimney first.

• Look for critters. Squirrels, raccoons, and birds like to nest in chimneys when it turns cold.
• Test the damper. It should open and close easily. With it open, smoke should rise straight up; if it doesn't, something is blocking the flue.
• Schedule a sweep if it's been several years since the last cleaning.
• Close the damper when the fireplace is off. An open damper drains heat like an open window.
• Consider glass doors on a fireplace or wood stove for extra insulation.

Clear the roof, gutters, and yard

Mild winters here are usually wet ones, and that makes your roof and gutters important.

• Clean the gutters. Our fir needles, maple leaves, and moss clog gutters fast. Clogged gutters overflow in heavy rain, and in a freeze the trapped water can form ice dams that damage gutters and push water into the house.
• Replace missing shingles before the next storm finds the gap.
• Cover patio furniture or store it.
• Reseal the deck if water no longer beads on the surface.

Vacant homes, second homes, and listings need extra care

An empty house is the most at risk, because no one is there to notice a problem. This includes vacation homes, rentals between tenants, and homes sitting on the market. If the heat will be off, take these extra steps, recommended by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI):

1. Drain all indoor and outdoor plumbing.
2. Drain water heaters, tanks, and pumps completely.
3. Empty the toilets, then add non-toxic plumbing antifreeze to toilets and drains.
4. Open the faucets and leave them open.
5. Unplug non-essential appliances, especially the refrigerator. If nothing needs power, shut off the main breaker.

Selling this winter? Ask your agent how to keep the home show-ready and protected. Some owners keep the heat on low instead of fully winterizing so buyers can tour comfortably.

Your quick winter checklist

• Insulate exposed pipes
• Shut off, drain, and cover outdoor spigots
• Blow out the sprinkler system
• Find your main water shut-off
• Seal drafts around windows, doors, and outlets
• Check attic insulation
• Test the furnace and replace the filter
• Clean the gutters and replace missing shingles
• Inspect the chimney and damper
• Cover outdoor furniture

A mild forecast is a gift: it gives you time to prepare without rushing. Spend a weekend on this list now, and you'll head into the holidays knowing your home is ready for whatever the season brings.

Thinking about buying or selling this winter? Reach out. I'm happy to talk through what a well-maintained home means for your next move.