Ontario winters can be tough on our homes. Between freezing temperatures, snow, ice and the constant midwinter freeze thaw cycle, a little preventative maintenance now can save homeowners a lot of headaches and potentially expensive repairs.
Before winter settles in, here's our fall home maintenance checklist.
Outside Your Home
Clean gutters and downspouts to prevent water buildup and ice dams. (Do this twice, once now and once when the final leaves have fallen)
Make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation.
Disconnect garden hoses, drain exterior taps and shut off outdoor water lines where applicable.
Inspect exterior caulking around windows and doors for gaps or deterioration.
Check your roof from the ground for damaged or missing shingles.
Clean up fallen leaves, particularly around foundation drains and window wells.
Trim branches that could cause damage during heavy snow or ice.
Store or cover outdoor furniture and put away seasonal equipment.
Blow out your Sprinkler system.
Inspect walkways and steps for potential winter tripping hazards.
Heating and Mechanical Systems
Replace your furnace filter.
Schedule a heating-system inspection if one is due.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries.
Clean bathroom exhaust fans and inspect accessible ventilation outlets.
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney and appliance inspected and cleaned as needed.
Inside Your Home
Check windows and doors for drafts and replace worn weatherstripping.
Inspect the basement for moisture or signs of water intrusion.
Check the sump pump, if you have one, and ensure its discharge is protected against freezing. Give it a quick cycle on if it doesn’t run often.
Locate your main water shutoff valve so you know where it is in an emergency.
Inspect attic insulation and ventilation for obvious issues, including any new pests.
Reverse ceiling fans to winter mode, if applicable, to help circulate warm air.
Garage, Driveway and Yard
Put away garden hoses and drain seasonal watering equipment.
Winterize lawn equipment.
Check garage-door weather seals.
Make sure snow shovels, ice melt and winter equipment are accessible.
Mark driveway edges or landscaping features that could be damaged by snow removal.
Clear debris from exterior drains and catch basins.
One Last Thing: Take a Walk Around Your Property
Sometimes the simplest maintenance task is also the most useful.
Walk around your home and look for anything that seems out of place. A loose downspout, peeling caulking, a small drainage problem or a damaged roof shingle might not seem like a big deal today, but winter has a way of making minor issues much worse.
Taking care of those little things now helps protect your home, maintain its value and avoid unwanted surprises. And whether you're planning to stay in your home for years or considering a move in 2027, keeping on top of regular maintenance is always a worthwhile investment.
