Massachusetts homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

At the meter or at the wall entry. Many MA homes have multiple shutoffs: at the street (requires a wrench), at the meter room, and at each zone. Know all of them. Older MA homes (pre-1970) may have lead pipes. Check with your municipality.

Heating system type and fuel

Massachusetts has the largest oil-heat market in the US outside of the Northeast corridor. Know your fuel type (oil, gas, heat pump, or electric), your supplier, and your tank level in winter. Keep the tank above 25%; storm delivery delays in MA can be 48-72 hours.

Radon test

Elevated radon is found in many MA counties, particularly in the Connecticut River Valley (Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden counties) and parts of eastern MA. Test within 90 days of move-in.

Heating system monitoring

In winter, check your heating oil level weekly. A furnace or boiler that runs out of fuel in a Massachusetts winter can cause pipes to freeze within hours, and the restart process for oil burners involves bleeding air from the lines, which many homeowners don't know how to do.

Gutter and ice dam prevention

MA's frequent freeze-thaw cycles make clean gutters and proper attic insulation critical. Gutters clogged in fall are the starting point for most ice dam formation. Clean thoroughly before November.

Cape Cod, Islands, and South Shore coastal prep

Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the South Shore face both direct hurricane impact and significant nor'easter exposure. Know your evacuation zone, verify sump pump battery backup, and stock 7-day supplies before June.

Roof inspection

Annual inspection before storm season. MA's older homes often have multiple layers of asphalt shingles; re-roofing requires stripping to the sheathing, which is often wood board rather than plywood. Have a roofer assess the decking condition.

Heating system service

Annual furnace or boiler service before October. Oil burners need annual cleaning and nozzle replacement. Gas furnaces need heat exchanger inspection; cracked heat exchangers introduce CO into living spaces silently.

Weatherization priority

Massachusetts has some of the best weatherization incentive programs in the US (MassSave). Take advantage of insulation and air sealing rebates before winter. Attic air sealing and insulation is the highest-return weatherization measure for MA homes.

Snow removal and roof load

Western MA (Springfield area) and interior communities can receive 50-70 inches of snow. Flat-roof homes and additions need snow removal when accumulation exceeds 24 inches. Roof rakes handle sloped roofs from the ground.

Ice dam management

If ice dams have formed: do not chip them off; you'll damage the roofing. Use calcium chloride ice melt in a nylon stocking, placed vertically across the dam to create a drainage channel. Fix the underlying cause (insulation and air sealing) before next winter.

Attic air sealing is more important than insulation

Ice dams form when heat escapes through the ceiling into the attic, melting snow that refreezes at the cold eaves. Sealing air leaks at light fixtures, top plates, and attic access hatches stops this heat transfer more effectively than adding insulation alone.

Coastal MA and river valley coverage

Cape Cod, the South Shore, Boston Harbor communities, and Connecticut River valley homes need flood insurance. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. MassSave doesn't help with this; it's NFIP or private flood insurance.

Multi-day outage preparation

MA nor'easters cause power outages lasting 3-10 days. Stock 7-10 days of supplies before November. Eversource MA: 1-800-592-2000. National Grid MA: 1-800-465-1212. Have an alternate heat source. Oil burners stop working without electricity. Be prepared.

Coastal evacuation planning

Know your evacuation zone. Outer Cape Cod and the Islands have limited exit routes. Evacuate early. A direct hit from a major hurricane on SE Massachusetts would be catastrophic.

Shut off and drain

Main water off at the meter. Open all faucets. If the oil ran out and pipes froze: shut off the water first, then call the oil company to restart the system before thawing pipes. After a MA cold snap, plumber wait times are 48-72 hours.

Groundwater and storm flooding response

Do not enter if electrical equipment is submerged. Call Eversource (1-800-592-2000) or National Grid (1-800-465-1212) to disconnect at the meter. Deploy backup pump. Dry aggressively; MA's summer humidity accelerates mold growth.

Extended outages in cold

MA power outages in winter are dangerous. Without heat, pipes freeze within hours in cold weather. Know your nearest warming center. Eversource: 1-800-592-2000. National Grid: 1-800-465-1212. Generator outside only, 20 feet from windows.

Evacuate and call from outside

Rotten egg smell: everyone out. Leave door open. Call 911. Eversource Gas: 1-800-592-2000. National Grid Gas: 1-800-233-5325. Bay State Gas: 1-800-688-1234. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, oil heat awareness, never re-enter

Know two exits from every room. In MA's older multi-story homes, upper floor window escape is often the only second option. Keep escape ladders accessible. Designate a specific outdoor meeting place. Crawl under smoke. Call 911. Never go back inside.