Getting the house ready for weather
Freezes, storms, heat waves, wet seasons, and cold-weather equipment.
Sump Pump: Testing Before Every Wet Season
Test the sump pump before wet seasons, verify the discharge and backup system, watch for declining performance and plan replacement before the pit becomes an emergency.
Read guide →Planning guideGetting Garage and Exterior Doors Ready for Cold
Prepare garage and exterior doors for cold by checking seals, thresholds, tracks and safety systems, then distinguish weather-related drag from a true opener fault.
Read guide →Planning guideSnowblower Pre-Season Service in the Fall
A fall snowblower service checklist for fuel, oil, spark plug, belts, shear pins, scraper, skid shoes and a full test before the first storm.
Read guide →Planning guideWinterizing Outdoor Faucets, Hoses, and Irrigation
Winterize hoses, exterior faucets and irrigation before local freeze risk, with different steps for frost-free fixtures and professionally blown-out sprinkler systems.
Read guide →Planning guideA Hard Freeze Is Coming Tonight: A 30-Minute Checklist
A 30-minute hard-freeze checklist for pipes, exterior faucets, cabinets, heat, garage doors and knowing exactly where to shut off water if a pipe fails.
Read guide →Planning guideStorm Prep: Wind, Rain, and Power Loss
Prepare for wind, heavy rain and possible power loss by clearing drainage, securing loose items, checking sump backup and using generators only with safe outdoor separation.
Read guide →Planning guideGetting a House Through a Heat Wave
Reduce heat gain and AC load before extreme heat, protect condensate drainage, plan for outages and recognize when cooling trouble is no longer routine maintenance.
Read guide →Planning guideIce Dam Prevention: Attic Insulation and Ventilation Numbers That Actually Work
The real cause of ice dams is heat loss through the ceiling, not the weather — the fixes are attic air sealing, insulation R-value, and a correct ventilation ratio.
Read guide →Planning guidePreventing Frozen Pipes Before Winter: Insulation, Heat Tape, and the Spots That Freeze
A fall project for finding and insulating the pipes most likely to freeze, choosing UL-listed heat tape correctly, and keeping the house above the 55°F floor insurers use.
Read guide →Planning guideChoosing an Ice Melt That Won't Wreck Your Concrete, Plants, or Pets
How rock salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride compare on temperature range, concrete safety, and runoff, so the product on your porch matches the ice you're fighting.
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