How to Prepare Your Home for Winter in Ontario

Ontario winters are not gentle on homes. Sub-zero temperatures, heavy snow loads, ice storms, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles test every part of your property.

This checklist covers the most important winterization tasks, organized by area of the home. Work through it in October and early November while conditions still allow exterior work.

Exterior Tasks

• Shut off and drain all exterior hose bibs — a frozen exterior faucet can burst the pipe inside the wall
• Disconnect and store garden hoses — leaving them attached traps water at the bib
• Clean eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris
• Extend downspouts at least 1.5m from the foundation
• Check and repair any foundation cracks before they fill with water and freeze
• Inspect roof for damaged or missing shingles — repair before snow loads increase stress
• Check that grading around the foundation slopes away from the house

Windows and Doors

• Check weatherstripping on all exterior doors — replace if compressed or torn
• Add or replace door sweeps to eliminate cold air infiltration at the threshold
• Check window caulking and recaulk any gaps — especially on north and west-facing windows
• Consider plastic film insulation kits for older windows with poor thermal performance
• Test that all storm windows and doors close and latch properly

Heating System

• Book furnace inspection and cleaning — September/October is ideal before heating season
• Replace furnace filter before winter (and every 3 months through heating season)
• Test thermostat operation in heat mode before you need it
• Check baseboards and radiators for obstructions
• If you have a fireplace, book a chimney sweep before using it

Plumbing

• Know where your main water shutoff is located
• Insulate pipes in unheated areas — garage, crawl space, exterior walls
• During extended cold snaps (-20°C or colder), let a trickle run from faucets on exterior walls
• Keep cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls open during extreme cold

Safety Systems

Winter is when heating equipment works hardest — and carbon monoxide risks peak:

• Test smoke detectors and replace batteries
• Test carbon monoxide detectors — replace if more than 7 years old
• Ensure fire extinguisher is accessible and not expired
• Check that dryer vent terminates cleanly — blocked dryer vents cause fires year-round but are more common in winter when lint builds up