When winter settles over the East End, the beaches go quiet, the sunsets get sharper, and the whole place shifts into a slower, softer version of itself. It’s beautiful — but it’s also cold. And out here, cold has a way of finding every crack, pipe, and weak spot in a home.
A little prep now saves you from major headaches (and invoices) later. Here’s the smart Hamptons homeowner’s guide to winterizing — the version that keeps your house warm, your systems running, and your future self very, very grateful.
Check Your Heating System Before It Needs You
Your furnace or boiler deserves a preseason warm-up.
Book the inspection, swap the filters, and make sure the thermostat isn’t lying to you.
A well-tuned heating system is the difference between “cozy winter weekend” and “why is it freezing in here?” Plus, it keeps your energy bills from going rogue.
Seal the Sneaky Drafts
Heat escapes — it’s basically an Olympic sport.
Walk your house and look for gaps around windows, doors, outlets… anything that so much as whispers a draft. Weatherstripping and caulk are your friends.
And if your home is older (hello, many Hamptons classics), consider upgrading insulation. It’s one of the highest-ROI improvements you can make.
Protect Your Plumbing (Seriously, Don’t Skip This)
Frozen pipes are the winter equivalent of stepping on a Lego — painful and entirely avoidable.
Shut off and drain exterior water lines
Disconnect garden hoses
Insulate exposed pipes
Open sink cabinets when the temps really drop
If you’re away for long stretches, heat tape or a pipe-monitoring system is worth every dollar.
Give Your Roof and Gutters Some Love
A roof leak in February? No thank you.
Check for missing shingles, weak spots, and anything that looks like it wants to cause drama. Add insulation where needed to avoid ice dams.
Then clean the gutters — all the way. Clogs turn into ice, ice turns into water damage, and suddenly you’re funding someone’s kid’s college tuition just to fix it.
Prep the Outdoors
Store or cover your furniture.
Winterize the pool.
Seal the deck before the freeze.
If you have a hot tub, follow the manufacturer’s rules (or call the pro — it’s worth it). Outdoor spaces take a beating out here; protect them now so you’re not playing catch-up in April.
Test Your Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Detectors
You’re indoors more often in winter. Make sure your detectors are working, batteries are fresh, and if they’re a decade old, replace them. Easy win.
Flip Your Ceiling Fans
Reverse them so they push warm air down instead of pulling it up.
It’s simple, it works, and it keeps high-ceilinged Hamptons rooms from feeling like the Arctic while your heating bill skyrockets.
If Your Hamptons Home Is a Vacation Home…
Set the thermostat to a steady low temp.
Shut off and drain the plumbing.
And if you’re away for the whole winter, hire a local caretaker or property manager. Regular check-ins prevent surprises — the unpleasant kind.
Stay Ahead of Maintenance
Winterizing isn’t a once-and-done task.
A little ongoing attention keeps your home protected, efficient, and ready for spring.
And if you’re thinking of buying or selling in The Hamptons — or want a referral for someone who really knows how to care for a second home out here — Mala Sander + Team is always a call away.