Your Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: 5 Steps to Prevent Winter Water Damage
Derrick Fredendall
Hey neighbor. As the summer heat finally gives way to that crisp fall air we all love, our attention turns to football, holidays, and cozy evenings. It’s the perfect time to get outside, but it’s also a critical window to prepare our homes for the unpredictable Oklahoma winter ahead.
We all remember the sudden freezes that can hit Central Oklahoma, and nothing ruins a cozy winter night faster than the sound of a burst pipe. A few hours of simple, proactive maintenance in the fall can be the difference between a peaceful winter and a stressful, expensive water damage emergency.
As your local restoration experts, we’d much rather see you prevent a disaster than have to clean one up. Here is our detailed, 7-step checklist to help you protect your home.
Honestly, we'd rather you never have to call us for a winter emergency. A couple of hours of prep work in the fall can save you thousands of dollars and a ton of stress. We're here to help you prevent the disaster in the first place.
1. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts (Your #1 Defense Against Ice Dams)
This is arguably the most important fall chore on the list. Once most of the leaves have fallen, get up on a ladder safely and clear all the leaves, shingle grit, and other debris from your gutters. Then, flush the gutters and downspouts with a hose to ensure they are completely clear and draining properly.
- Why It Matters: Clogged gutters are the primary cause of ice dams. Here’s how it happens: Heat from your home escapes through the attic, melting the snow on your roof. This water runs down to the cold edge of your roof, where it refreezes in the clogged gutter. This creates a dam of ice that forces all subsequent meltwater to back up under your shingles and into your attic, causing serious leaks. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), keeping gutters clear is a critical step in preventing this. Also, make sure your downspouts carry water at least 3-5 feet away from your house to prevent water from pooling at your foundation.
2. Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets & Hoses
Before the first hard freeze, this is non-negotiable. Disconnect all garden hoses from your outdoor spigots (hose bibs), drain them completely, and store them for the winter.
- Why It Matters: Water left in a hose or faucet will freeze and expand. That pressure can easily crack the faucet or, even worse, the pipe connected to it inside the wall of your home. You won’t know it’s broken until it thaws and begins flooding your basement or crawl space. After disconnecting the hose, it’s best practice to shut off the interior valve that supplies that faucet (if you have one) and then open the outside spigot to let it fully drain. An inexpensive insulated faucet cover provides an extra layer of protection.
3. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Take a walk through the unheated spaces of your home—your attic, basement, or crawl space—and look for any exposed water pipes.
- Why It Matters: These pipes are the most likely to freeze and burst. You can buy easy-to-use, pre-slit foam pipe sleeves or fiberglass pipe wrap from any hardware store. As the U.S. Department of Energy emphasizes, proper insulation is key to temperature control. This simple step acts like a winter coat for your plumbing. On brutally cold nights, it’s also a smart idea to open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow the warm air from your home to circulate around those pipes.
4. Seal Air Leaks from the Outside
Do a quick walk around your foundation and look for any gaps where pipes, cables, or vents enter your home.
- Why It Matters: A small gap can let a lot of frigid winter air blow directly onto your interior pipes, dramatically increasing the risk of a freeze. Use caulk or expanding foam sealant to close up these openings. It’s a small fix that makes a big difference.
5. Inspect Your Roof for Summer Storm Damage
You don’t need to get on the roof yourself. Use a pair of binoculars from the ground to safely inspect for any shingles that are missing, cracked, curled, or damaged from summer hail storms. Pay close attention to the flashing around chimneys and vents.
- Why It Matters: A single damaged shingle is an open invitation for water from melting snow or ice to seep into your attic. It’s also a good idea to trim any large tree branches that are overhanging your roof. A heavy load of ice or snow can cause those branches to break and damage your roof, creating an instant leak.
6. Ensure Your Attic is Ready for Winter
Proper attic ventilation and insulation work hand-in-hand with a clean roof to prevent ice dams.
- Why It Matters: Check to make sure your attic vents (at the soffits and ridge) are not blocked by insulation or debris. A well-ventilated attic stays colder in the winter, which helps prevent the snow on your roof from melting and refreezing at the eaves. A thick, even layer of insulation on the attic floor keeps your house warm and further prevents that heat from escaping and melting the snow on the roof.
7. Test Your Sump Pump & Know Your Main Water Shut-Off
This last step is all about emergency preparedness. For more tips, check out the guides at Ready.gov.
- Sump Pump: If you have a sump pump, test it by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Make sure it kicks on, pumps the water out, and shuts off properly. A pump that fails during a heavy winter rain or a rapid spring thaw can lead to a flooded basement.
Main Water Shut-Off: Every homeowner should know where their main water shut-off valve is and how to use it. If a pipe ever does burst, being able to shut off the water to your entire house in seconds can be the difference between a small mess and a catastrophic flood.
Book A Free 15‑Minute Cleanup Consult
A weekend of work this fall can protect your biggest investment all winter long. As your neighbors, we hope you never have to call us for an emergency. But if the worst should happen, know that we’re here 24/7. If you ever face an emergency, our water damage restoration team is just a call away.
Meet the Author:
Derrick Fredendall
Hey, I’m Derrick — co‑founder of 4D Restoration, former Oklahoma Army National Guard (13D), and a currently active RN working right here in our local hospital systems. I carry IICRC’s WRT, ASD, and AMRT credentials (plus an OSHA‑30 card), so whether I’m running triage on a flooded living room or a patient bedside, you’re in steady, certified hands. My mission is simple: keep Oklahoma families safe, healthy, and back in their homes—fast.
Your Top Restoration Questions—Answered by Local Experts
Will insurance pay for drying equipment?
Yes—if the water loss is covered, the carrier pays for certified drying gear we install.
Is floodwater ever covered under homeowners insurance?
No. You need separate NFIP or private flood insurance for rising groundwater.
Does a small ceiling stain count as sudden damage?
Usually not. Stains suggest a slow leak, which insurers label maintenance, not an insurable peril.
How long do I have to file a water‑damage claim in Oklahoma?
Most policies require notice “promptly” or within 60 days—file as soon as you discover damage.
Will a claim raise my premium?
Possibly. One claim often has little impact, but multiple water claims in three years can trigger surcharges.