How to Winterize Your Backyard: A Complete Checklist

The few hours you spend winterizing in the fall save you from cracked pipes, rusted grills, moldy cushions and a spring full of repairs. Here is the whole job, in the order that matters most.

The short answer

Do the water first (sprinklers, hoses, faucets), then gas and fire (grills, propane, fire features), then soft goods (furniture and cushions), then everything else. Our free seasonal checklist builds a version for exactly the gear you own.

1. Water: before the first hard freeze

• Sprinklers. Shut off the supply and drain or blow out the lines. If you are not sure how, hire an irrigation pro, because compressed air used wrongly can damage the system.
• Hoses. Disconnect, drain and store them. A hose left attached can trap water in the faucet.
• Outdoor faucets. Close any interior shut-off valve and add an insulated faucet cover.
• Rain barrels and fountains. Drain and store or protect them.

2. Grills and propane

• Clean the grill before storing it. See our guide on how to clean a grill.
• Gas grills. Disconnect the propane cylinder if you will not use the grill. Store it outdoors, upright and away from the house, never in a garage, basement or other enclosed space.
• Pellet grills. Empty and vacuum the hopper before long storage, because damp pellets turn to sawdust and jam the auger.
• Charcoal and kamado. Clean out the ash and keep the cooker dry.
• Griddles. Clean, oil lightly and cover. See our guide on how to season a flat-top griddle.
• Cover everything once it has completely cooled. See the best grill covers.

3. Fire features and pizza ovens

• Fire pits. Empty cold ashes into a metal container, cover the pit and store wood off the ground, covered on top with the sides open.
• Propane fire tables and patio heaters. Disconnect and store propane safely, leak test connections in spring, and use them only outdoors in open, ventilated areas.
• Pizza ovens. Let them cool, cover them, and keep removable stones dry. Bring portable ovens inside.

4. Furniture and soft goods

• Clean and fully dry everything before covering it.
• Bring cushions, umbrellas and pillows indoors if you can.
• Use vented covers and secure them against wind.

5. Wellness gear

• Hot tubs. Decide whether to run it all winter or drain and winterize it, and follow the maker's instructions. Do not leave a full tub unpowered in freezing weather. See hot tub water problems.
• Saunas and cold plunges. Check the manual for winter use, drain any unit that is not rated for freezing, and keep snow off roofs and covers.

6. Everything else

• Lights. Test strands, replace damaged cords, and plan outlets before you hang holiday lights with our holiday light planner.
• Robot mowers. Clean, charge to the level the maker recommends and store indoors.
• Birds. Keep feeders stocked and add a heated bird bath.
• Tools. Drain gas from small engines or add stabilizer per the manual, and clean and oil hand tools.

When to call a pro

If you smell gas, see damaged wiring, or the job involves a gas line, a sprinkler blowout you are unsure about, or hot tub electrics, stop and call the maker, a licensed technician or your utility.