Water is winter's biggest threat to a home, and most of it starts outside. Get these done before the first hard freeze.

• Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor spigots. A hose left attached traps water in the faucet, which can freeze and split the pipe behind the wall. Drain the hose and store it. If the spigot has an interior shutoff valve, close it and open the outdoor tap to let it drain.
• Clean the gutters once the leaves are mostly down. In the Triad that's usually mid-to-late November. Clogged gutters overflow into fascia boards, siding and the foundation. Make sure downspouts are attached and carry water a few feet away from the house.
• Walk the roofline from the ground. Look for missing or lifted shingles, bent flashing around the chimney and vents, and anything sagging. Binoculars help.
• Check the slope around your foundation. Soil and mulch should slope away from the house. Low spots that hold puddles against the foundation are worth fixing before winter rains.
• Look over the deck and porch. Soft boards, loose railings and popped fasteners get worse with every freeze-thaw cycle, and wet leaves make them slippery.

Drafts are the easiest winter problem to fix, and one of the most noticeable on your heating bill.

• Check weatherstripping on every exterior door. If you can see daylight around the edges or under the door, heat is leaking out. Weatherstripping and door sweeps are inexpensive and easy to replace.
• Inspect caulk around windows and trim. Look for cracks, gaps, or caulk that has pulled away. Re-caulk on a dry day above 40°F so it cures properly.
• Don't forget the attic hatch and garage door. An uninsulated attic hatch or a worn garage door seal can let in more cold air than a window.

Your heating system works hardest in the months ahead. A little attention now keeps it running and keeps your family safe.

• Swap the HVAC filter. A clogged filter makes the system work harder and can shorten its life. If you can't remember the last change, change it now.
• Schedule a furnace or heat pump check. HVAC companies get busy after the first cold snap, when everyone calls at once. Booking now usually means a shorter wait.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Press the test button on each one and replace batteries as needed. With gas appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage, make sure there's a CO detector on every level.
• Have the chimney looked at before the first fire. Creosote buildup and blocked flues are a common cause of winter house fires. Make sure the damper opens and closes smoothly too.

A frozen pipe can turn into thousands of dollars in water damage overnight. Many Triad homes sit over crawl spaces, which makes this section especially important here.

• Insulate exposed pipes. Check the crawl space, garage, attic, and sink cabinets on exterior walls. Foam pipe sleeves are cheap and slip right on.
• Close crawl space vents and check the door. Once temperatures drop, closing vents (if your home has them) and sealing the access door helps keep cold air off your pipes.
• Know where your main water shutoff is. Find it now, make sure it turns, and show everyone in the house. If a pipe does burst, shutting off the water fast is the difference between a repair and a remodel.

Shorter days and wet weather make steps and entries harder to navigate, especially for older family members visiting over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

• Light the path. Check porch lights, walkway lights and stairwell bulbs. Add lighting anywhere someone walks from the car to the door in the dark.
• Check every handrail. Give each one a firm tug, inside and out. A rail that wobbles isn't doing its job.
• Clear the entry. Keep steps free of leaves and put down a sturdy mat that won't slide. Have ice melt on hand before you need it.
• Look at the bathroom guests will use. Is there something to hold onto near the tub and toilet? Is the floor slippery when wet? A non-slip mat and a nightlight go a long way.