You winterize your home’s exterior by cleaning your gutters, draining and storing your garden hoses, shutting off exterior hose bibs, protecting outdoor furniture, clearing leaves off decks and patios, trimming shrubbery near the house, and cutting back tree branches that hang over your roof. I’m Kevin Grolig, a real estate agent with Compass in Bethesda, and this is part of my Real Kevin video series where I walk homeowners through practical maintenance that actually protects their investment. These seven steps take a weekend, cost very little, and can save you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs from frozen pipes, ice damage, and water intrusion. If you’re a homeowner in Montgomery County, now is the time to knock these out, before Thanksgiving, before the first hard freeze catches you off guard.
I see the damage from skipped winterization every year in my listings and in homes I help clients buy. A cracked pipe or a rotted fascia board doesn’t just cost money to fix, it can scare off buyers or tank an inspection down the road. Let’s get into the list.
Why does cleaning your gutters matter before winter?
Clogged gutters are one of the fastest ways to rack up expensive repair bills once temperatures drop. When leaves, branches, and twigs pack into your gutters, water has nowhere to go. As it gets colder and precipitation rolls in, that trapped water freezes and expands, and ice buildup can damage your roof, your gutters, and the fascia board holding everything up. On top of that, clogged gutters set you up for flooding after heavy rain or snowmelt. Get them cleaned out now, before the first freeze, not after.
How do you properly drain and store your garden hoses?
You drain your hoses by disconnecting them from the hose bib and letting gravity do the work. Start by disconnecting the hose, then raise one end so water starts draining from the other side. Once all the water is out, coil the hose up and store it somewhere protected, like a shed or garage. Water left sitting in a hose will freeze, expand, and crack the hose or the fitting, which means you’re buying a new one come spring.
Why should you shut off exterior hose bibs before Thanksgiving?
You shut off exterior hose bibs to stop water sitting in your pipes from freezing and bursting. This step goes hand in hand with draining your hoses, and I can’t stress enough how important it is. Once your hoses are off, go inside and find the shut-off valve that controls the line running to your front and back exterior spigots, and turn it off. Then go back outside, open the hose bib, and let any remaining water drain out of the line. Skip this step and you’re rolling the dice on frozen pipes this winter. That usually means a flooded basement, and after that, mold. Handle this before Thanksgiving, not after the first cold snap already hit.
What should you do with outdoor furniture before winter?
You protect outdoor furniture by either covering it in place or removing it and storing it away entirely. Harsh winter weather beats up cushions, cracks resin, and rusts metal frames if furniture sits exposed all season. There’s another reason to bag up seat cushions specifically: they make a warm, cozy home for mice looking for a place to nest for the winter. Bag them, cover the rest, and store what you can.
Why should you clear leaves off your deck or patio?
Leaves and debris left sitting on your deck or patio will stain the surface once they freeze in place and eventually thaw. A pile of wet leaves frozen against wood decking or stone patio pavers holds moisture right against the surface all winter long, and when spring rolls around you’ll be staring at discoloration that’s a pain to remove. Clear leaves and debris off these surfaces now so you’re not dealing with staining and cleanup later.
When should you trim shrubbery and landscaping?
You trim shrubbery and do your deadheading before winter sets in, while plants are dormant and easy to shape. Annual landscaping like hydrangeas and liriope should be deadheaded at the end of the season, meaning you cut back the dead growth down close to the ground so new growth comes in clean in the spring. While you’re at it, shape up your other bushes and shrubs too. Pay extra attention to anything growing right up against the house. Shrubbery pressed against your home’s siding or foundation is an open invitation for moisture to work its way in, so keep a gap between plants and your exterior walls.
Why does trimming tree branches near your roof matter?
You trim tree branches near your roof because overhanging limbs create multiple risks at once. Branches extending above or close to your roofline expose your home to potential damage if a limb comes down in a storm. They also drop leaves and debris straight into your gutters, undoing the cleaning work you just did. And branches close to the roofline give squirrels an easy bridge into your attic, which is a headache nobody wants to deal with mid-winter. If you’ve got limbs hanging over or near your roof, get them trimmed back now.
For more detailed guidance on sealing up your home and cutting energy costs this season, the Department of Energy’swinterization tipsare a solid resource to pair with this checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I winterize my home’s exterior?
Aim to have all seven steps done before Thanksgiving. Montgomery County can see its first hard freeze anytime in November, and pipes, gutters, and hose bibs need to be handled before that first cold snap, not after.
What happens if I don’t shut off my exterior hose bibs?
Water left in the line can freeze, expand, and crack your pipes. That often leads to a flooded basement once things thaw, and flooding brings the added headache of mold remediation.
Do I really need to trim shrubbery touching my house?
Yes. Shrubbery pressed against your siding or foundation traps moisture against your home, which creates an entry point for water damage over time. Keep a clear gap between plants and your exterior walls.
Is winterizing my home’s exterior something I should think about before selling?
Absolutely. Buyers and inspectors notice ice damage, stained decking, and gutter issues. If you’re planning to sell in the spring, a well-maintained exterior helps your listing show better and avoids inspection surprises. Check out myguide to selling a homefor more on getting your house market-ready.
Can I do all of this myself in a weekend?
For most homeowners, yes. None of these seven steps require special tools or a contractor. Set aside a Saturday, work through the list in order, and you’ll head into winter with real peace of mind.
That’s my list of seven exterior winterization steps. If you’ve got a tip I didn’t cover, drop it in the comments, I’d love to hear it. Thanks again for checking out Real Kevin. Next week we’re covering the eight interior items you can tackle to winterize the inside of your home, so stay tuned.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Montgomery County and want to talk through your home’s condition, timing, or value before winter hits,reach out to me directlyor grab time on my calendar below.
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