You winterize your home’s exterior by shutting off and draining your outdoor water spigots first, then trimming trees back from the house, clearing your gutters, storing or covering patio furniture, and properly shutting down your grill for the season. I recently walked ABC 7 News through this exact checklist live from my home in Gaithersburg, and I want to break it down here in more detail for anyone in Montgomery County getting ready for the cold months ahead. These are the same simple steps I recommend to every client and neighbor, and they matter because a little prevention now saves you from expensive repairs — frozen pipes, leaky basements, mold, damaged shingles — once the temperature drops. None of this requires special tools or a contractor. It’s an afternoon of work that protects one of your biggest investments. Let’s go through it step by step.
How do you winterize your outdoor water spigots?
You winterize your outdoor spigots by shutting off the valve that feeds them and draining any water left in the line. This is the number one thing I tell homeowners to do first, because it’s the step most people skip and the one that causes the most damage. When water sits in an exposed pipe or spigot and the temperature drops below freezing, that water expands as it turns to ice. Expanding water inside a pipe has nowhere to go, so it cracks the pipe or the fitting. You might not notice it right away — the real trouble shows up in spring when you turn the water back on and find a leak inside your wall or basement. I’ve seen it lead to frozen pipes, leaky basements, and even mold starting to grow behind drywall from moisture that had nowhere to escape. Find your front and rear outdoor shutoff valves, turn them off, then open the spigot outside to let any remaining water drain out. It takes five minutes and it’s the cheapest insurance you’ll buy all season.
Should you disconnect your garden hoses before winter?
Yes, remove and fully drain every garden hose before the cold sets in. A hose left connected to an outside spigot holds water even after you’ve shut off the valve, and that trapped water freezes right along with everything else. Disconnect each hose, drain it completely by stretching it out and letting gravity do the work, then coil it up and store it somewhere it won’t be exposed to freezing temperatures — a garage, shed, or basement works fine. This is a small step, but it’s part of the same logic as the spigot shutoff: get every drop of standing outdoor water out of the equation before the freeze hits.
Why should you trim trees away from your house before winter?
You should trim trees back from your house because overhanging branches drop leaves directly into your gutters, and clogged gutters cause ice and water damage all winter long. When branches hang over your roofline, every wind gust and rainstorm sends more debris straight into your gutter system. Trim trees so branches are pulled back away from the house — this reduces how much material lands in your gutters in the first place, which means less maintenance and less risk once the weather turns cold.
How do you winterize your gutters?
You winterize your gutters by making sure they’re completely clear of leaves and debris before the first freeze. Gutters exist to do one job: capture rainwater and carry it away from your home. When they’re clogged, water backs up instead of draining, and that backed-up water is exactly what causes problems once temperatures drop. I showed the ABC 7 crew a close-up look at this during the segment — when clogged gutters hold water and that water freezes, ice forms right at the edge of your roofline. That ice works its way underneath your shingles, and that’s how you end up with roof damage that has nothing to do with your roof’s age or quality and everything to do with a gutter nobody cleaned out in October. Get up there (or hire it out) and clear every section before winter arrives.
What should you do with patio furniture and cushions before winter?
You should bring patio cushions and outdoor furniture inside, or at minimum cover them securely, before winter weather sets in. For cushions specifically, I like storing them in a large sealed container — a Rubbermaid tote works great — and keeping that tote in the garage or an unfinished part of the basement where moisture and freeze-thaw cycles won’t reach them. For your actual furniture, bringing it indoors is the best option if you have the space. If you don’t, a quality outdoor furniture cover will protect it, but treat that step with real care — a cheap or loosely fitted cover can trap moisture underneath and do more harm than leaving furniture exposed.
How do you properly store your grill for winter?
You store your grill for winter by disconnecting the propane tank, releasing trapped gas from the burner valves, cleaning the grill thoroughly, and then covering it for the season. Start by turning off and disconnecting the propane tank, and store the tank separately from the grill itself — never in an enclosed space like a garage corner where a slow leak could become a hazard. Next, open the burner valves to release any gas still trapped in the lines. Then clean the grill itself: I recommend a wire brush along with a solution of soapy water and ammonia to cut through grease buildup. Grease left on a grill all winter attracts pests and turns into a much bigger cleaning job in spring. Once it’s clean and dry, cover the grill and store it for the season.
Winterizing your home’s exterior really comes down to controlling water and debris before the freeze — off at the spigot, clear in the gutters, protected on the patio, and shut down at the grill. It’s a short list, but skipping any one item is how small maintenance turns into a spring repair bill. For more detailed guidance straight from the Department of Energy, check out thishome energy saving guide— it covers weatherproofing your whole house, not just the outside.
If you’re prepping a Montgomery County home for winter and want a second set of eyes on anything from gutters to grill storage to bigger seasonal maintenance questions,reach out anytime— happy to help, whether or not you’re a client.
FAQ
How often should I clean my gutters before winter?
At minimum, clean them once in late fall after most leaves have dropped, and check them again after any major storm. If you have overhanging trees, you may need a second cleaning mid-fall.
Can I leave water in my hose over winter if it’s disconnected?
No. Even disconnected, a hose with water left inside can freeze, crack, and split. Always drain it fully before storing it.
Is it necessary to remove the propane tank from the grill, or can I just turn it off?
Remove and store it separately. It’s safer, and it keeps the tank away from temperature swings near the house.
What happens if ice gets under my shingles from clogged gutters?
It can lift and damage the shingles, and over time lead to water intrusion under your roofline — a repair that’s far more expensive than an afternoon of gutter cleaning.
Do I need to worry about winterizing if I have a smaller yard or condo patio?
The scale changes, but the principles don’t — any exposed spigot, hose, patio furniture, or grill still needs the same protection regardless of yard size.
Thanks for reading — if you caught the segment on ABC 7, you already know I like keeping this stuff practical and doable in an afternoon. For more tips like this, follow along onYouTube,Instagram,Facebook, andLinkedIn.
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