Burlington, Vermont – Another surge of Arctic air is poised to move across Vermont, and many homeowners are discovering that overlooked winter prep issues can quickly become expensive problems once temperatures drop and refuse to rebound.
As cold air tightens its grip statewide, frozen pipes remain the most common winter failure. Pipes running through basements, crawl spaces, garages, and exterior walls are especially vulnerable, and even short bursts of extreme cold can cause them to freeze or burst without warning.
Blocked exterior vents are another frequently missed issue. Dryer, bathroom, and kitchen vents can become clogged with lint, snow, or ice, trapping moisture that freezes and forces airflow back into the home. In some cases, this buildup increases fire risk or leads to interior water damage.
Ice dams continue to plague Vermont homes during prolonged cold spells. Heat escaping through poorly insulated attics melts rooftop snow, which refreezes along colder roof edges. Water then backs up beneath shingles, damaging ceilings, insulation, and interior walls. Older homes in Burlington and surrounding Chittenden County are particularly susceptible.
Sump pump discharge lines freezing shut also rank high on the list. When outlet pipes become blocked with ice, melting snow has nowhere to drain, raising the risk of basement flooding during brief warmups.
Rounding out the top five is neglected heating equipment. Furnaces and boilers that haven’t been checked or maintained can struggle or fail during peak demand, leaving homes without reliable heat just as Arctic air settles in. This often leads to unsafe reliance on space heaters.
Residents are urged to insulate exposed pipes, clear snow and debris from vents, manage roof snow buildup when safe, and ensure heating systems are operating properly before the coldest air arrives. Additional cold-related alerts are expected as January’s winter pattern continues across Vermont.
