First Freeze Checklist: Gutters, Hoses, Attic Vents, and Roof Penetrations

The first hard freeze of the season signals the end of fall, but it can also be the start of major problems for your home. When water freezes, it expands with incredible force. If that water is trapped inside your pipes, gutters, or on your roof, it can lead to cracks, bursts, and expensive water damage.

Before the temperature drops below 32°F (0°C), run through this essential “first freeze” checklist to protect your property.

1. Gutters and Downspouts

This is the most critical item on the list. If your gutters are full of wet, compacted leaves, that water will freeze solid.

• The Threat: Ice Dams. The frozen “plug” in your gutter prevents any new meltwater (from sun on your roof) from draining. This water backs up under your shingles, where it re-freezes at night, creating an “ice dam.” This dam will force water directly into your attic and walls.
• Your Action: Your gutters MUST be 100% clean and clear before the first freeze. This isn’t just a fall chore; it’s a critical preventative measure. Make sure your downspouts are also clear and draining away from the foundation.

2. Exterior Hoses and Faucets (Hose Bibs)

This is the most common (and most easily prevented) cause of a burst pipe and a flooded basement.

• The Threat: A hose full of water will freeze, but the ice will also expand back into the faucet and the pipe inside your wall. This will crack the pipe. You won’t know it until the first thaw, when water starts spraying inside your wall.
• Your Action:
  1. Disconnect all hoses from all exterior faucets.
  2. Drain the hoses and store them.
  3. Go inside and find the “shut-off” valve for each exterior faucet (usually in the basement or a crawl space) and turn it to the “off” position.
  4. Go back outside and turn the faucet “on” to drain the last bit of water from the pipe. Leave it “on” all winter.

3. Attic Vents and Insulation

Your attic needs to be cold in the winter. A warm attic melts snow on your roof, which is the primary cause of ice dams.

• The Threat: Soffit vents (under your eaves) blocked by insulation or debris, or ridge/gable vents that are damaged, will trap warm, moist air from your house. This moisture will condense on the cold underside of your roof deck, leading to frost, rot, and mold.
• Your Action:
  1. Do a quick visual inspection of your attic. Make sure your soffit vents are not blocked by insulation.
  2. Check from the outside that vents are not blocked by bird’s nests or debris.
  3. Make sure your attic insulation is evenly distributed and not piled up.

4. Roof Penetrations

Every pipe, vent, and chimney that comes through your roof is a potential leak point.

• The Threat: The flexible “boots” or flashing around these pipes can become cracked and brittle from sun exposure. The freeze-thaw cycle will widen these tiny cracks, allowing water to seep in.
• Your Action: From the ground (using binoculars), do a quick visual check of the pipe jacks and flashing. Look for any visible cracks, rusted metal, or “gaps” between the flashing and the pipe. If you see anything suspicious, schedule a roofer for a simple repair before it becomes a major leak.

A few hours of prevention before the first freeze can save you thousands of dollars and a massive headache in the middle of winter.