Winter Home Prep in Tahoe: A Home Inspector’s Guide

Kim Napolitano
Nov 18
3 min read

With snow on the ground outside and the holidays approaching it is the perfect time to start to prepare your home for a North Lake Tahoe Winter (with the wet conditions its also a great time to check for leaks!). At 6,000–7,000 feet, homeowners face relentless snow cycles, freeze-thaw conditions, subzero nights, and storms that can dump multiple feet of snow in a single night. Once winter hits, access becomes limited—so taking the right steps now ensures your home stays safe, warm, and protected all season long.

Based on years of inspecting homes across Truckee and the Tahoe Basin, this guide outlines some of the essential winter-specific tasks every homeowner should complete to prepare for deep snow, freezing temperatures, and long stretches of harsh weather.

Remember to download our Lake Tahoe Area Winter Home Preparation Checklist at the bottom of this article

1. Prioritize Heating & Winter Safety

Your heating system becomes the heart of your home during Tahoe winters. Ensuring it’s reliable before the first big freeze prevents mid-season breakdowns—and costly emergency repairs.

Schedule a professional service for your furnace or boiler
Replace filters and confirm thermostat accuracy
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Clear snow and ice away from exterior heating vents to avoid dangerous blockages

A tuned and inspected system is especially important in high-altitude homes, where combustion appliances work harder in thin, cold air.

2. Protect Plumbing From Freezing

Frozen pipes are one of the most common (and expensive) winter failures in Truckee and Tahoe homes. Prevention is far easier—and far cheaper—than repair.

Insulate exposed plumbing in crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls
Disconnect hoses and fully drain exterior spigots
Use heat tape for any lines historically prone to freezing
Know exactly where your main water shutoff is located

With deep snowpack and extended cold snaps, even “mildly exposed” pipes can freeze solid if not properly insulated.

3. Prepare Roof & Manage Snow Load

Tahoe winters bring enormous roof stress: repeated storms, ice dam formation, and dramatic temperature swings.

Inspect for damaged or missing shingles before they’re buried
Clean gutters and downspouts to help prevent ice dams
Install heat cables in known problem areas
Line up snow removal services for roof clearing during major storms

At altitude, snow loads can exceed hundreds of pounds per square foot. Ensuring your roof is ready now helps prevent leaks, ice intrusion, and structural damage.

4. Tighten Up Windows, Doors & Insulation

Energy loss during winter is more extreme than in fall—especially when temps hover near zero for days at a time.

Seal drafts with fresh weatherstripping or caulk
Check attic insulation to minimize heat loss and ice dam formation
Add storm windows or insulating window films
Install door sweeps to reduce cold-air infiltration

Small air leaks add up quickly at this elevation, leading to higher heating costs and increased strain on equipment.

5. Prepare Your Exterior & Driveway for Heavy Snow

Outdoor spaces need to be storm-ready before they disappear under several feet of snow.

Trim back weak or overhanging branches that can break under snow weight
Store or secure patio furniture and outdoor items
Stock up on sand or ice melt
Make sure you have shovels, roof rakes, and winter tools accessible
Set up snow plow or driveway clearing services

Driveway access becomes a serious safety factor in winter—especially for emergency vehicles navigating deep snow.

6. Winterize Your Home’s Emergency Systems

Storm cycles frequently lead to outages, road closures, and extended periods where you may be snowed in.

Test your generator before storm season
Keep firewood, blankets, flashlights, and batteries on hand
Stock emergency food and water
Ensure your house numbers are easily visible in deep snow

In the Tahoe Basin, being prepared isn’t about convenience—it’s about safety.

Why It Matters in the Tahoe Basin

Homes in the North Lake Tahoe region face winter challenges most areas never see:

Massive snow accumulation
Weeks of freezing temperatures
Limited access during storms
Freeze-thaw cycles that cause structural stress

Even well-built mountain homes need proactive winter prep to stay safe and durable. A small oversight—like an uninsulated pipe or unserviced furnace—can quickly become a major problem when buried under six feet of snow.

Local knowledge matters. Understanding how Sierra storms impact homes allows you to take targeted steps that protect your property all winter long.

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THE WINTER CHECKLIST BELOW: