3 Things Every Dane County Homeowner Should Do Before Winter in Wisconsin

by John Reuter

Home Care • Madison & Dane County

3 Things Every Dane County Homeowner Should Do Before Winter

By Integrity Homes October 27, 2025 Winter Maintenance 📖 4 min read

Quick Wisconsin winter prep: gutters, exterior water lines, and furnace — for Madison, Waunakee, Sun Prairie, and Dane County homeowners.

Quick Answer

Before winter in Dane County: (1) Clean gutters/downspouts to prevent ice dams and foundation seepage. (2) Shut off & drain exterior water lines to avoid frozen pipes. (3) Service your furnace & replace filters so you’re not making a no-heat call at 2 AM in January.

As the colors change and temperatures drop across Wisconsin, it’s the perfect time to prep your home for another Madison winter. Whether you’re in Waunakee, Sun Prairie, Madison, or DeForest, these three simple tasks help protect your biggest investment before the snow flies.

1) Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Why: Clogged gutters freeze, back up, and cause water intrusion or roof leaks. Ice dams are common in older Madison/Middleton housing stock.

Remove leaves/debris; flush downspouts to confirm flow away from the foundation.
Check splash blocks/extensions — key in Windsor, DeForest, and rural lots.

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2) Shut Off & Drain Exterior Water Lines

Why: Frozen pipes are one of Wisconsin’s most common winter emergencies.

Disconnect hoses; shut off exterior spigots; open faucets to drain.
Insulate exposed pipes in garages/basements; schedule irrigation blow-outs.

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3) Service Your Furnace & Replace Filters

Why: A quick tune-up now avoids a no-heat call when it’s below zero. Clean filters improve efficiency and air quality (especially in tighter, newer Waunakee/Middleton builds).

Book HVAC maintenance before the first hard freeze.
Test heat early; keep spare MERV-rated filters on hand.

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Bonus Safety Check: Test smoke/CO detectors and replace batteries. Winter = peak CO season.

Show Video Transcript

Colors change and the temperatures drop, it’s time to get your home ready for another Wisconsin winter. Here are three simple things you can do right now to protect your biggest investment before the snow flies. Number one, clean your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can freeze back up and cause costly water damage. Clear out those leaves and make sure water flows away from your foundation.

Number two, shut off and drain exterior water lines. Disconnect garden hoses and shut off exterior spigots to prevent frozen pipes, one of the most common winter emergencies in Wisconsin homes. Number three, service your furnace and replace filters. Make sure your heating system is ready for the long haul. A quick tune up now can save you from a no heat call when it's below zero. Small steps today make for a warm, worry free winter. I'm John Reuter, with Integrity Homes, helping you take care of your home, because preparation builds peace of mind.