Inspecting your home, both inside and out, before winter arrives in Ontario can help prevent major costs such as leaks or heating breakdowns during the cold season. Based on the Ontario home winter preparation checklist released on October 7, we have compiled a list of items you can do right now this weekend.
- Check the waterway first: Clear away fallen leaves from the eavestrough and downspout, and ensure that water flows away from the house foundation. It is also recommended to remove leaves from the window well.
- Heating check: Check and replace the furnace filter, and ensure that the thermostat and external exhaust vents are not blocked. Also, press the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on each floor to test their operation.
- Preventing pipe freezing: Disconnect the garden hose to drain the water and store it indoors, and consider wrapping pipes near the exterior walls with insulation. It is also helpful for the family to know the location of the main water valve for the entire house in case of an emergency.
- Door and window gaps: Repairing old weather stripping and cracked caulking can reduce the influx of cold air and lessen the burden on the heating system.
- Yard cleanup: Check in advance for dead branches that touch the roof or are near power lines, and clear them away to prevent piles of leaves from blocking drainage. Leaf and yard waste collection schedules vary by municipality, so please check the city website.
Small inspections are much cheaper and easier than emergency winter repairs. I recommend taking just 30 minutes this weekend to take a walk around your house.
Source: Kuntal Realty Blog https://www.kuntalrealty.ca/blog/2026/10/7/ultimate-fall-cleanup-checklist-prepare-home-yard-for-winter
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