Winter is Coming: How to Prep Your Coeur d’Alene Home for the Cold

Winter in Coeur d’Alene can be a force of nature. Sometimes there is heavy snow, freezing temps, and days when you miss the heat waves of the summer. Your home or rental property in Kootenai County needs to be prepared for the colder weather, well before the first snow hits.

At Golden Properties, we help property owners throughout Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and the greater North Idaho area protect their homes year-round. This guide walks you through the winterization checklist we use for the homes we manage, because a little prep now can save you a lot of money (and stress) later.

1. Blow Out and Winterize the Sprinkler System

If you haven’t scheduled your sprinkler blowout, do it now. Water left in your irrigation lines can cause them to freeze and burst, leading to costly repairs in the spring. Sprinkler blowout companies also book well in advance, so make sure you get on that schedule early! 

• Use a licensed contractor for proper backflow protection
  
  

• We recommend Epic Backflow or Enders Backflow in Coeur d’Alene
  
  

• As a reminder, drip systems and secondary zones need winterizing too

Pro tip: Flag sprinkler heads now so they don’t get hit during snow removal!

2. Close Crawlspace Vents

When temperatures start to dip, it’s time to close the vents to your crawlspace. Open vents are helpful in spring and summer, but in winter, they allow cold air in and put your pipes at risk of freezing.

Adding foam vent plugs or insulated covers provides even better protection, especially for older homes in Kootenai County with minimal under-floor insulation.

3. Inspect Gutters & Downspouts

Gutters play an important role in protecting your home’s foundation and roof. Before the snow comes, make sure you:

• Clean out all gutters (Yes, even if you did it earlier in the fall)
  
  

• Make sure downspouts extend 3–6 feet away from your home’s foundation
  
  

• Consider adding heat tape to the roof in areas prone to ice dams

Poor drainage can lead to foundation damage, frozen sidewalks, and roof leaks, so don’t skip this step!

4. Service Your Furnace & Fireplace

A full fall HVAC checkup is essential. When that first freeze arrives, you’ll want your system working flawlessly.

• Replace filters and check the thermostat
  
  

• Test heat output from all vents
  
  

• Schedule a professional furnace tune-up

We recommend CDA Heating and Cooling for reliable service in Coeur d’Alene and surrounding towns.

Have a gas fireplace? Now’s the time to:

• Clean the unit and check ignition
  
  

• Replace batteries in remotes or wall switches
  
  

• Test carbon monoxide detectors nearby
  
  

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, schedule a chimney sweep to remove buildup and prevent fire risk.

5. Prep Driveways, Walkways & Snow Equipment

Don’t wait until the first snowfall to scramble for gear. Here’s how to get ready now:

• Service your snowblower: change oil, grease moving parts, check belts, and inflate tires
  
  

• Stock your garage with salt, deicer, snow shovels, and traction sand
  
  

• Clear walkways and driveways of gravel, leaves, or low-hanging branches
  
  

• Trim back grass along walkways and driveways to create a clean edge for snowblowing
  
  

6. Don’t Forget Your Vehicle: Winter Car Prep for North Idaho Roads

In North Idaho, vehicle prep is just as important as property prep. Don’t get caught in a storm unprepared:

• Install snow tires early before local shops are fully booked
  
  

• Top off with winter-grade windshield washer fluid
  
  

• Test your battery (cold kills weak ones fast)
  
  

• Keep your trunk stocked with a scraper, blanket, jumper cables, flashlight, gloves, and traction sand or kitty litter
  
  

Whether you're commuting across Coeur d’Alene or managing property in Hayden, a winter-ready car keeps you safe and mobile all season long.

7. Protect Plants and Landscaping

Your yard needs some TLC to prepare for the colder months as well. Fall is the time to:

• Cut back perennials and dead shrubs
  
  

• Add a layer of mulch around plant bases to insulate roots
  
  

• Wrap vulnerable plants or small trees with burlap
  
  

• Shut off and drain hose bibs and store hoses indoors
  
  

These small tasks help your landscape survive harsh temps and give you a healthier head start in spring.

8. Bonus Tip: Check Attic & Roof Insulation

A quick attic check can prevent major headaches:

• Look for proper insulation depth (especially near eaves)
  
  

• Ensure soffit and roof vents aren’t blocked
  
  

• Scan for signs of moisture, mildew, or mold
  
  

If ice dams or heat loss were issues last year, this is the time to address them now, not in January when roof repairs are tougher to manage.

Final Thoughts

Getting your home or rental property ready for winter in Coeur d’Alene isn’t optional, it’s essential. From sprinkler blowouts and HVAC service to driveway prep and crawlspace closures, these small steps prevent expensive problems and protect your home’s value.

Whether you’re a homeowner in Hayden, an investor in Post Falls, or managing a rental in downtown CDA, Golden Properties is here to help you winterize like a pro. Need help coordinating vendors or creating a custom checklist for your property? Just give us a call.

Let’s keep the cold outside, where it belongs.