Free checklist
Ohio Winter Prep Checklist
Protect your pipes, roof and furnace before the first hard freeze.
- Freeze-proofing your plumbing
- Furnace and fireplace safety
- Roof, gutter and ice dam prevention
- Emergency kit for winter storms
Free, no email required.
Free checklist
Ohio Winter Prep Checklist
What's on the checklist
Plumbing
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses
- Shut off and drain outdoor spigots
- Insulate pipes in garages, crawl spaces and exterior walls
- Know where your main water shut-off is
- Keep the heat at 55°F or higher when you’re away
Heating
- Schedule a furnace tune-up
- Replace the furnace filter
- Test carbon monoxide alarms
- Have the chimney inspected before using the fireplace
Roof and gutters
- Clean gutters after the leaves drop
- Check the roof for loose or missing shingles
- Add attic insulation if it’s thin, to prevent ice dams
- Trim dead branches hanging over the house
Outside
- Seal gaps around windows and doors
- Book snow removal or service the snowblower
- Stock ice melt that’s safe for concrete
Emergency kit
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Blankets and warm layers
- Phone chargers and a battery pack
Take the free Winter Readiness Assessment to see your risk.
How to use this checklist
- 1Download the PDFSave it to your phone or print it. No email or sign-up needed.
- 2Check items off as you goWork through it room by room or step by step, and note anything that needs a pro.
- 3Bring it to your contractorUse it to ask better questions and compare quotes from Ohio pros side by side.