Winter in Missouri always arrives faster than we expect. One week we’re enjoying crisp 60-degree afternoons, and the next we’re scraping frost off windshields. Taking a single afternoon in early November to tackle preventative maintenance protects your property against expensive winter emergencies—especially burst pipes and heating failures.
Here is your essential checklist to complete before the ground freezes:
- Disconnect and Drain Outdoor Hoses: Leaving garden hoses attached to exterior spigots traps water inside the sillcock valve, virtually guaranteeing a burst pipe behind your siding once temperatures plummet. Disconnect every hose, drain them, store them indoors, and shut off interior water shutoff valves leading to exterior faucets if your plumbing has them.
- Service the Heating System: Don't wait for the first 20-degree night to find out your furnace igniter is worn out. Swap your air filter for a clean pleated one, vacuum around supply vents, and book a licensed HVAC technician for an annual safety check and tune-up.
- Winterize In-Ground Irrigation: Any water lingering in underground PVC lines or manifold boxes will expand and crack the system. Schedule your professional backflow blowout before mid-November.
- Reverse Ceiling Fans to Clockwise: On low speed, a clockwise fan rotation gently pushes warm air gathered at the ceiling back down into living spaces, reducing winter energy bills without creating an uncomfortable draft.
- Inspect Weatherstripping and Exterior Seals: Walk around exterior doors on a sunny day. If you see light creeping through edges, install fresh weatherstripping or adjust door sweeps. Seal gaps around foundation penetrations (cable lines, dryer vents, water feeds) with exterior-grade silicone caulk to keep freezing drafts and field mice outside where they belong.
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