Winter Prep Home Checklist for Canadian Homes

Heating system + chimney

• Book a professional furnace or heat-pump tune-up (annual, before first cold snap)
• Replace the furnace filter; note the size + date on the filter itself
• Test the thermostat — set a programmable schedule or verify smart thermostat firmware
• Vacuum baseboard heaters and unblock all supply + return registers
• Have the chimney and wood stove inspected + swept before first fire
• Stack firewood off the ground, at least 30 cm from the house, covered on top only
• Verify natural-gas or propane shutoff location and that the tool is nearby
• For heat pumps: clear the outdoor unit; keep 60 cm clearance for airflow and snow

Keep HVAC & water heater exterior vents clear of snow

• Locate your high-efficiency furnace's intake and exhaust vent pipes — usually PVC, low on an exterior wall — and know exactly where they terminate
• After every snowfall, clear snow and ice away from these vents before running the furnace — a blocked exhaust can shut the furnace down or cause a dangerous CO backup into the house
• If you have a high-efficiency (power-vented) water heater, check whether it vents separately from the furnace and clear that vent too
• Keep at least 30 cm (12 in) clear around every exterior vent termination — more once a snowdrift starts forming against that wall
• The dryer vent has the same snow-blockage risk, just a different symptom — a dryer that stops drying properly

Pipes + water system

• Shut off exterior taps at the interior shutoff; drain the outside spigot
• Disconnect, drain, and store garden hoses
• Insulate any pipes running through unheated spaces (garage, crawlspace, exterior walls)
• Test the sump pump and battery backup; confirm the discharge line isn't frozen or blocked
• Locate the main water shutoff — tag it and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is
• Drain and blow out the irrigation system
• Check the water heater: pilot / burner working, no rust, temperature 49–60°C
• Add a rock-salt-safe mat inside the front door to protect flooring from boots

Roof, eaves, and building envelope

• Clean eavestroughs after leaves drop; check downspout drainage 6 ft from the house
• Inspect the roof from the ground with binoculars for lifted shingles or flashing
• Look for signs of ice-dam risk (heat loss patterns, missing attic insulation)
• Re-caulk gaps around windows, doors, and pipe penetrations
• Replace worn weatherstripping on doors and the attic hatch
• Confirm attic insulation is R-50+ and the hatch is insulated + sealed
• Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise (low speed) to push warm air down
• Close crawlspace and foundation vents that aren't required year-round

Smoke, CO, and fire safety

• Test every smoke alarm and CO alarm with the button
• Replace batteries at daylight-saving change (November clock change is the reminder)
• Replace any alarm older than 7–10 years (check manufacture date on the back)
• Confirm ABC fire extinguisher in kitchen + near the furnace, pressure gauge in green
• Review the family escape plan and practice with kids
• Never run a car, generator, or BBQ in an attached garage
• Check dryer vent for lint buildup outside and inside

Outside + car

• Swap to winter tires by the time temperatures drop below 7°C (required in Quebec + parts of BC)
• Top up antifreeze, washer fluid; check wipers and lights
• Assemble a car winter kit: blanket, snacks, water, flashlight, jumper cables, small shovel
• Install driveway markers before the ground freezes
• Stock salt, sand, and shovels near every exterior door; service the snowblower
• Store patio furniture and cushions; empty and flip planters
• Trim branches over the roof and driveway that could break under ice load

Boat, RV, shed & pool house

• Boat: fog the engine or stabilize the fuel, drain all water systems completely, disconnect or trickle-charge the battery, and cover it — a hull with water still in it is the most expensive mistake here
• RV or trailer: drain fresh/grey/black tanks, add RV antifreeze to every line and trap, and cover the tires
• Shed: clear the roof of debris before snow load builds, check door seals, and move anything that could freeze and crack (paint, garden chemicals) to a heated space
• Pool house or cabana: winterize its plumbing exactly like the main house, and store pool equipment and chemicals indoors
• Patio furniture: clean and fully dry everything before storing — packing it away wet is how mildew and rust set in over winter

Emergency readiness + backup power

• Refresh the 72-hour kit: water (4L per person per day), food, meds, radio, flashlight
• Add extra blankets, hand warmers, and a battery pack for phones
• Test any generator: fuel, oil, transfer switch, extension cords rated for outdoor use
• Confirm alternate heat source (wood stove, propane heater) has fuel and a CO alarm nearby
• Print emergency contacts (utility, plumber, roofer) and post them inside a cupboard
• Register for Alert Ready + provincial + municipal emergency alerts
• Confirm home insurance covers frozen-pipe damage and sewer backup

Practical tips

• Do the full prep on one weekend before Halloween — most of Canada hits first frost between late October and mid-November.
• Take dated photos of the roof, eaves, and foundation each fall. Comparison photos catch slow damage insurance will otherwise dispute.
• Keep interior humidity at 30–40% in winter. Higher, and windows drip and mould grows; lower, and floors + trim crack.

Frequently asked questions