1
Start Here
Heating System
Your furnace is about to work hard for five straight months. Get it ready before you depend on it.
- Have the furnace serviced by a professional before heating season. A tune-up catches small issues before they become a no-heat emergency in January.
- Replace the filter and keep spares on hand for the season.
- Test the thermostat, and consider a programmable one to hold steady heat.
- Check that vents and registers are clear of furniture and rugs.
2
Before the Freeze
Pipes & Plumbing
A burst pipe is one of the costliest winter disasters, and one of the most preventable.
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets and disconnect garden hoses.
- Insulate exposed pipes in the basement, crawl space, and garage.
- Know where your main water shut-off is so you can act fast if a pipe bursts.
- Keep heat steady, even when away, so pipes in exterior walls don't freeze.
3
Up Top
Roof, Gutters & Ice Dams
Ice dams form when heat escapes the attic, melts snow, and refreezes at the roof edge. The damage shows up as leaks inside your walls.
- Clean the gutters after the leaves drop so melt water can drain freely.
- Check the roof for loose or missing shingles before snow covers it.
- Confirm attic insulation and ventilation are solid — this is the real fix for ice dams.
- Seal gaps where warm air leaks into the attic from the living space.
Why it matters: Ice dams cause the most expensive winter roof damage in Southeast Michigan. The fix isn't on the roof, it's in the attic. Stop the heat from escaping and the ice dam never forms.
4
Seal It Up
Windows, Doors & Drafts
Every draft is heat leaving and money with it. Sealing up keeps the house warmer and the bills lower.
- Replace worn weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Caulk gaps where cold air sneaks in around frames and trim.
- Add outlet and switch gaskets on exterior walls, a small fix that adds up.
- Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise to push warm air back down.
5
Just in Case
Safety & Emergency Prep
Michigan storms knock out power and drop temperatures fast. A little prep keeps a bad night from becoming a bad week.
- Test every smoke and CO detector. Furnaces and space heaters make CO risk highest in winter.
- Build an emergency kit: flashlights, batteries, blankets, water, and a backup phone charger.
- Stock snow and ice tools — shovels, salt, and a roof rake for heavy snow.
- Service the generator if you have one, and store fuel safely.
Heading into winter unsure?
A maintenance inspection flags the weak points — insulation gaps, aging systems, draft sources — before the freeze finds them for you. No sale required.
Schedule a Maintenance Inspection →Or call us: (248) 550-9492