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Before the first frost: the fall home checklist

The jobs to finish before the first hard frost — so pipes, roofs and sprinklers make it through winter.

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Before the first frost: the fall home checklist

The jobs to finish before the first hard frost — so pipes, roofs and sprinklers make it through winter.

Clear the eavestroughs after the leaves drop

Blocked gutters overflow, soak the foundation and feed ice dams later. Do it after most leaves are down — usually late October to mid-November.

Blow out the sprinkler system

Water left in the lines freezes and cracks pipes and heads. Book it before overnight lows hit −2°C.

Shut off and drain outdoor taps

Close the inside shut-off, open the tap outside and leave it open so trapped water can drain. Disconnect hoses.

Tune up the furnace

Book a month before you need heat — heating pros fill up fast once the first cold snap hits. Change the filter too.

Seal drafts

Fresh caulking around windows, doors and siding gaps cuts heat loss and keeps water out.

Line up snow removal

Season contracts sell out. Book before the first storm so you are on the route.

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Eavestrough cleaningSprinkler winterizationFurnace tune-upCaulking & sealingSnow removalChimney sweep

Which cities this matters most in

TorontoCalgaryOttawaMontrealEdmontonMississaugaHamiltonBramptonWinnipegQuebec CityLavalLondonMarkhamVaughanGatineauKitchenerWindsorSaskatoonReginaOakvilleBurlingtonBarrieKelownaGuelphKingstonRichmond HillPickeringAjaxWhitbyOshawaBowmanvillePeterborough

FAQ

When is the first frost?

It varies by city — in most of Ontario and Quebec it is mid-October; on the Prairies it is often September; on the BC coast it can be late November. Aim to finish this list a couple of weeks before.

What happens if I skip the sprinkler blow-out?

Water in the lines can freeze and crack pipes, valves and heads. Repairs in spring usually cost more than the blow-out.

Before the first frost: the fall home checklist

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