How To Winterize Your Home For a Winter Season in Billings, MT
Billings kicked off 2025 with a winter wonderland and while it can be beautiful and magical, it can also be, well… brutal.
I’m the type that typically loves the first snow of the season. It gives you an excuse to cozy up in the house, build a fire, make a latte, and bundle up to read your new favorite book for a day or two.
But once the snowstorms have come and gone once or twice, I’m usually over it. Unfortunately though Billings winters aren’t up to me, which means taking the necessary steps to winterize your home is crucial!
If you’re new to Billings, you might be shocked to know that the winter weather can last well into April depending on the year, so making sure your home is prepped and ready to withstand the cold temps and snowy weather is something you don’t want to skip.
To help you winterize your home with ease, follow the checklist below so you know exactly what needs your attention before it’s too late.
A Home Maintenance Checklist For Winterizing Your Home
Inspect and Seal Your Windows and Doors 🚪
Drafty windows and doors are among the biggest culprits of heat loss in a home and that’s the last thing you want during cold weather. To avoid this, simply start by checking for gaps or cracks around your windows and doors. If you notice any, use weatherstripping or caulking to seal any openings.
If you have older windows, consider adding storm windows or applying a clear plastic window film for an extra layer of insulation.
Service Your Heating System 🔥
Picture this: the temps are starting to drop and the cold weather is coming your way, so you go to turn up the heat in your home and… it’s not working properly. Cue the panic, am I right?!
A well-maintained heating system is essential for surviving a Billings winter, so be sure to schedule a professional inspection and tune-up for your furnace or heat pump.
While you’re at it, go ahead and replace or clean your air and furnace filters to ensure optimal performance and indoor air quality. Overtime, these filters collect dirt and debris and in order to work properly, they need to be changed from season to season and winter is one of the best times to do it since your furnace will be working overtime during the cold months.
Not changing your filter can cause inefficiency (helloooo high electric bill 💸) with your heating system and can cause wear and tear that can even break the system altogether.
Insulate Your Home 🏡
If you’ve ever felt like your home isn’t holding heat properly or that the heat isn’t evenly distributing throughout your home, poor insulation could be the culprit.
Proper insulation is key to keeping your home warm and your energy bills manageable, so go ahead and inspect your attic, walls, and basement to ensure they are adequately insulated.
Oh! And don’t overlook your pipes. You can wrap them with foam insulation to prevent freezing and bursting during sub-zero temperatures.
Protect Your Plumbing 🚽
Speaking of pipes, frozen pipes are a common winter hazard that can lead to costly repairs. To prevent you from this major headache, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses, then shut off and insulate outdoor faucets.
For indoor plumbing, keep cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes and if temperatures are expected to plummet, let your faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through the pipes.
Check Your Roof and Clean Your Gutters 🍂
A sturdy roof is your home’s first line of defense against heavy snowfall, so ideally before you get the first snowfall of the year, inspect your roof for damaged or missing shingles and have them replaced as needed.
Additionally, check for signs of sagging, which could indicate structural weakness and while you’re at it, inspect and clean your gutters as needed to prevent ice dams, which can cause water to back up into your home.
Lastly, ensure that downspouts direct water at least five feet away from your home’s foundation to prevent flooding. (Psst: if you aren’t sure what a downspout is, they are the pipe-like pieces connected to your gutters that are installed along the side of your house!)
Maintain Your Fireplace and Chimney 🪵
If you plan to use your fireplace this winter, ensure it’s in good working order by hiring a professional to inspect and clean your chimney to remove soot and creosote buildup, which can be a fire hazard.
It’s also important to check the damper to ensure it opens and closes properly, and consider installing a chimney cap to keep out debris and animals.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 💨
With heating systems running constantly during the winter, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases during this time of year. To keep you and your family safe, be sure to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are functioning properly.
Replace batteries as needed, and consider upgrading to detectors with a digital display for real-time monitoring.
And there ya have it – your quick checklist to winterizing your home so you can fully enjoy a Billings, MT winter season!
When you carve out some extra time to check in on these things on one of your free Saturdays, you can freely cozy up on your couch with a cup of coffee in hand while knowing that your home is in pristine condition!
Not only will you enjoy a warm and cozy home, but you’ll also save money on energy bills and avoid costly repairs from winter-related damage. Trust me, going the extra mile to check in on each of these things is SO worth it in the long run.
Here’s to a comfy, cozy winter season! ❄️
P.S. If you want to make sure that you’re staying on top of your home maintenance for ALL seasons, go ahead and download the full seasonal checklist to make things easy peasy for you during all four seasons.
