TL;DR
Get business pricing on tools and workshop supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
A Family Handyman report outlines nine steps homeowners can take before the first frost, including clearing gutters, protecting exposed plumbing and checking heating systems. The advice comes from home-improvement and maintenance experts; it is a seasonal checklist, not a report of a new frost event or a government warning.
Family Handyman has published a nine-step checklist for preparing a home, yard and vehicle before the first frost, with recommendations from home-improvement, plumbing and automotive experts. The guidance focuses on preventing common cold-weather problems, including frozen pipes, water damage and equipment that may not start; it is seasonal advice rather than a forecast or announcement of a particular frost.
The checklist advises homeowners to clear gutters and downspouts, check them for leaks and direct drainage at least 10 feet from the house. Remodeling expert Michael DiMartino cautions against cleaning gutters too early if nearby trees are still shedding leaves. The report says water collecting near a home can contribute to foundation damage as it freezes and thaws.
For outdoor plumbing, the report recommends disconnecting and draining hoses, turning off and draining sprinkler systems, and covering outdoor faucets that are not frost-free. It also advises insulating pipes in unheated spaces, including garages, crawl spaces, basements and attics. Plumber Tim Fancher recommends sealing drafts near openings and knowing where the main water shutoff is in case a pipe bursts.
Other tasks include pruning weak or dead branches, checking windows and doors for damaged seals, and visually inspecting the roof and attic for damage or moisture. The checklist also recommends arranging an annual professional HVAC inspection, checking a vehicle’s battery, tires and wipers, and preparing gas-powered lawn equipment for storage. Its suggested fuel-storage method is to drain fuel and run equipment until it stops; the report also mentions using stabilizer as an alternative.
Preventing Cold-Weather Damage
The checklist addresses problems that can become expensive or disruptive after temperatures fall. A frozen pipe can split and leak when it thaws, while poor drainage can leave water close to the foundation. Checking vulnerable areas before freezing weather gives homeowners time to address maintenance rather than responding to damage during a cold spell.
The advice also covers household safety and basic transportation. A failed heating system can leave a home without heat, and an unmaintained vehicle battery may struggle in cold conditions, according to the report. A seasonal list can help people organize those tasks, but it does not predict local weather or guarantee that a home or vehicle will avoid problems.
Products Worth Considering
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (2nd Gen) and Indoor Cam Plus Bundle, Nickel Silver and White
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, Satin Nickel
Ring Battery Doorbell and Chime (3rd Gen), Satin Nickel
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Nine Tasks Before the Freeze
The Family Handyman report presents its recommendations as a before-frost checklist and attributes individual tips to experts. Todd Tripp, identified as a home-improvement expert, says preparing a home and yard before frost can help protect them and ready outdoor equipment for spring. The source also includes comments from DiMartino, Fancher and automotive and home-improvement expert Eric Goranson.
The list ranges from water management and plumbing to exterior maintenance, heating, vehicles and lawn equipment. It advises checking window seals for drafts and moisture; fog between window panes may indicate a failed seal, DiMartino says. For roofs, it suggests a visual check for missing or damaged shingles and an attic inspection for moisture, while noting that signs of leaks may mean repair or replacement is needed.
For heating, Goranson recommends an annual inspection by a professional. The report also says to check a chimney for debris before using a furnace or fireplace. Its advice on covering an outdoor air-conditioning condenser is more qualified: Tripp says a cover is not strictly necessary, but can protect the unit from frost. The checklist does not give a regional timetable, since the first frost varies by location and year.
“If you want to save money and protect your pocket book, then jump on the winterization of your home and yard.”
— Todd Tripp, home-improvement expert, as quoted by Family Handyman
Local Frost Timing Varies
The source does not identify a specific frost date, location, forecast or newly reported weather event. It also does not quantify how much the recommended measures reduce repair costs or the likelihood of damage. Several steps depend on a home’s design and condition: the report advises checking for roof or window problems but does not diagnose individual properties or specify repair costs. Homeowners may need a qualified contractor, plumber or HVAC technician to determine what work is appropriate.
Check Forecasts and Complete Prep
Homeowners can use the checklist as a planning prompt, then check local forecasts and work through the relevant tasks before freezing temperatures arrive. Gutters may need a final cleaning after nearby trees finish dropping leaves, as DiMartino advises. People who find roof leaks, damaged plumbing, heating problems or other issues should seek qualified help rather than assume a visual checklist can resolve them.
The next weather milestone is the first frost in each reader’s area; the source does not provide dates or predict when it will occur. After winter begins, homeowners can keep monitoring for leaks, drainage problems and equipment issues, and revisit seasonal maintenance as conditions require.
Key Questions
What is the actual news?
Family Handyman published a seasonal checklist of nine home, yard and vehicle preparations recommended before the first frost. It is advice, not a new frost warning or forecast.
Which tasks protect plumbing from freezing?
The report advises draining hoses and sprinkler systems, covering non-frost-free outdoor faucets, insulating pipes in unheated spaces and sealing drafts near pipe openings. It also recommends knowing the location of the main water shutoff.
When should gutters be cleaned?
The checklist recommends clearing leaves and checking drainage before frost. Remodeling expert Michael DiMartino cautions against doing the final cleaning before nearby trees have finished shedding leaves.
Does the checklist say to cover an air-conditioning unit?
It says covering an outdoor condenser is not completely necessary, but Todd Tripp describes it as a way to protect the unit from frost. The source does not give product-specific instructions.
When will the first frost happen?
The report gives no local dates or forecast. Frost timing varies by location, so readers should consult local weather forecasts for current conditions.
Source: familyhandyman.com
