Sample output · default answers
Winter-Prep Home Checklist — full sample
This is the actual structure our generator produces from the default answers. When you buy, you fill in the form and your version reflects your household — rooms, timeline, province, and everything else.
September — early prep
- Book annual furnace service
- Skip chimney sweep (no wood-burning)
- Replace furnace / HVAC filter
- Test humidifier and refill / clean pad
- Check smoke and CO detector batteries
- Book snow removal contract (if using one)
- Vehicle #1 — book winter tire swap appointment
- Vehicle #2 — book winter tire swap appointment
October — envelope & exterior
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Inspect roof shingles and flashings (or hire pro)
- Level 1 — walk exterior looking for gaps, cracks, missing caulk
- Level 2 — walk exterior looking for gaps, cracks, missing caulk
- Weatherstripping on doors and windows checked
- Add door sweeps to any drafty exterior doors
- Cover / drain air conditioner condenser lines
- Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise (winter)
- Rake leaves; compost or bag per municipal rules
- Garage door seals inspected; opener lubed
October — winterize your plumbing
- Shut off exterior hose bibs at the interior valve; drain and store hoses
- Insulate any exposed pipes in the garage, crawl space, or unheated basement with foam pipe sleeves
- Know the location of your main water shutoff valve before you ever need it in a hurry
- Let faucets on exterior walls drip slightly during extreme cold snaps to keep water moving in vulnerable pipes
- If you'll be away for an extended winter trip, don't shut the heat off completely — keep it at least 12-15°C to protect the plumbing
- Test the sump pump now, not in December, so there's time to fix it if it fails
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 after a heavy snowfall or a drift forms against that wall
- Keep the dryer vent clear as well — same snow-blockage risk, different symptom (a dryer that won't dry)
- Mark these vent locations on this checklist or somewhere visible so whoever shovels during a storm knows to check them
October — outdoor & yard
- Aerate + winterize lawn (last fertilizer)
- Cut back perennials; mulch garden beds
- Cover BBQ or store propane properly
- Bring in delicate planters; empty and stack terracotta
- Skip pool close
Patio furniture & outdoor living
- Clean and fully dry furniture before storing — packing it away wet is how mildew and rust set in over winter
- Store cushions and umbrellas indoors, or in a dry shed/garage — outdoor storage bins still let moisture in
- Cover or store metal furniture separately to prevent rust; wood furniture benefits from a breathable cover, not plastic
- Drain and store any water features or fountains before the first hard freeze
November — snow gear & emergency kit
- Snow shovel, roof rake, ice scraper at every door
- Bag of salt or pet-safe ice melt at every door — and a second bag in the garage or shed for driveway touch-ups
- A separate, compact shovel kept in the trunk of each vehicle — the door shovel doesn't help if you get stuck away from home
- Snow blower serviced and fuel stabilized
- Winter emergency kit in each vehicle: blanket, snacks, water, jumper cables, first-aid, shovel, sand or salt
- Household 72-hour kit refreshed: water, food, meds, flashlight, batteries, radio
- Backup phone charger / power bank charged
- Portable generator serviced (if owned)
- Snow boots, warm coats, mitts, hats accessible for every person
November — heating & interior
- Furnace service complete; filter fresh
- Skip radiator bleed
- Skip wood prep
- Set thermostat schedule for winter
- Confirm HRV / ERV settings for cold weather
- Stock pantry: 2 weeks of essentials in case of storm
- Refresh medicine cabinet + first-aid supplies
December — final checks
- Test sump pump before deep freeze
- Check attic ventilation and insulation
- Confirm holiday lights on GFCI / outdoor timer
- Confirm snow removal / driveway plan
- Confirm winter cottage plan or house-sitter
Storm-day playbook
- Charge phones and power banks the night before
- Fill bathtub with water if losing power is likely
- Move vehicles out of driveway if plow is coming
- Check on elderly neighbours
- Snow off the roof of low awnings after heavy dumps
- Clear the HVAC, water heater, and dryer vents the moment snow stops — this is the single most-forgotten storm task