Winter Home Maintenance Checklist: 15 Jobs to Do Now

Fifteen jobs that prevent winter emergencies, from gutters and frozen pipes to radiators, draughts and alarms, for homes and rental properties.

A couple of hours of preparation before the cold sets in can save an expensive emergency callout in January. Use this checklist for your own home or for rental properties.

Outside the house

1. Clear gutters and downpipes, and check joints for leaks
2. Look at the roof from the ground for slipped or cracked tiles, and call a roofer if you see any
3. Check fences, gates and sheds before the winter winds
4. Turn off and drain outside taps, and fit a tap cover
5. Repair loose or uneven paths and steps, which get slippery

Inside the house

1. Find your stopcock and make sure it turns
2. Insulate pipes and tanks in the loft, garage and other unheated spaces
3. Bleed radiators that are cold at the top
4. Check boiler pressure, and book a boiler service
5. Draught-proof doors, windows and letterboxes
6. Check sealant around windows, baths and showers
7. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
8. Check that extractor fans work, as winter is when condensation shows up
9. Sweep chimneys and check flues if you use an open fire or wood burner
10. Put together a winter kit: torch, spare bulbs, de-icer and important phone numbers

How to prevent frozen pipes

• Keep the heating on low, even when you are away
• Insulate exposed pipes with foam lagging
• Keep the loft hatch closed and draught-proofed; insulate loft pipes and tanks because the loft itself can become very cold
• Know where your stopcock is, so you can turn the water off quickly

If a pipe freezes, turn off the water and open the nearest tap. Warm accessible pipework gradually with warm towels, not a naked flame. Avoid electrical appliances near water; if a pipe has split or you cannot reach it safely, call a plumber.

What needs a qualified engineer

For landlords and agents

Tell tenants how to use the heating, where the stopcock is and how to report problems. Ask them to keep the heating on low if they go away. A short message before winter prevents many emergencies. Our landlord maintenance checklist covers year-round checks.

Keeping your home warm for less

• Bleed radiators so they heat fully
• Fit draught excluders to doors and letterboxes
• Use thick curtains and close them at dusk
• Put foil reflector panels behind radiators on external walls
• Seal gaps around skirting, windows and pipe entries
• Top up loft insulation if it is thin
• Set the thermostat and timer to suit when you are home

Signs of a problem to act on early

Going away over winter

If you are away during cold weather, keep the heating on low, ask someone to check the property and know where your stopcock is. Some insurers have conditions about empty homes in winter, so check your policy.

Winter in rental properties

Tenants should know how the heating works, where the stopcock is and how to report problems. Landlords should make sure the boiler has been serviced, gas safety records are current and alarms work. Our landlord checklist covers the legal checks.

Frequently asked questions

Official guidance and further reading

Energy Saving Trust: insulating lofts, pipes, water tanks and loft hatches

Related guides

• Plumbing and gas work
• How to choose a reliable handyman
• Fence repairs after storms
• Fixing sticking or draughty doors
• Winter-proofing: insulation and draught-proofing
• Draughty or failing windows
• Front and back doors before winter
• Autumn home maintenance checklist

Send your job list and photos, or call 07444 262522.