December Home Maintenance Checklist — Keep Your Home Cozy All Month

December Home Maintenance Checklist — Keep Your Home Cozy All Month

December arrives like a warm lantern in a chilly hallway—soft, festive, and full of little moments. But behind the glow of holiday lights is the quiet work of keeping your home comfortable and protected from winter’s nudge. Here’s a simple, homeowner-friendly checklist to help you move through the month with ease.

1. Protect Pipes From the Cold

When temperatures dip, pipes can stiffen like winter branches. Insulate exposed pipes, especially in basements, garages, crawl spaces, or outdoor areas. If a freeze is expected, let a faucet drip overnight to keep water flowing.

2. Change or Clean HVAC Filters

Your heating system works overtime this month. Swap out dirty filters to improve air quality and help your HVAC breathe better—like clearing a cozy chimney for firelight.

3. Check Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With space heaters, candles, fireplaces, and holiday cooking, December invites more indoor risks. Test all alarms and replace batteries so your safety net stays strong.

4. Prep and Inspect Your Fireplace

If you’re lighting up logs this season, inspect your fireplace or schedule a chimney cleaning. Clean ash buildup, check the damper, and make sure the flue is open before each use.

5. Seal Drafts Around Windows & Doors

Cold air loves to slip through tiny gaps. Add weatherstripping, caulk cracks, and consider thermal curtains to keep the warmth where it belongs.

6. Clean Gutters One More Time

Late-fall leaves like to linger in gutters. Clear them out to prevent ice dams or overflowing rain during holiday storms.

7. Winterize Outdoor Faucets & Sprinklers

Disconnect garden hoses, drain outdoor faucets, and shut off sprinkler systems. These quick steps help prevent burst pipes when temperatures plunge.

8. Reverse Ceiling Fans

A small but mighty trick: switch ceiling fans to spin clockwise. This pushes warm air down, keeping rooms more comfortable without cranking the heat.

9. Inspect Weather-Exposed Decor & Lights

Holiday lights and inflatables add charm, but they also face wind, moisture, and cold. Check extension cords, timers, and bulbs to avoid electrical hazards.

10. Declutter Before the Holidays

A little space-making now means a calmer, brighter home when new gifts and guests arrive. Donate what no longer serves you—December invites fresh energy without fanfare.

Warm, Safe, and Ready for the Season

With a few mindful tasks, your home becomes a shelter of warmth and ease. Think of this checklist as a quiet companion through December—helping your household enjoy the season rather than wrestle with it.