How to Winterize a House in Canada: Step Checklist
How to Winterize a House in Canada
Winter in Canada isn’t just cold; it’s a stress test for your home. A single burst pipe or a hidden ice dam can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage in less than 24 hours.
This guide isn’t about making your home “cozy”; it’s about defense. As part of Our Ultimate Canadian home maintenance checklist, this specific winter protocol focuses on the critical systems that fail most often when the temperature drops below -20°C.
Here is exactly how to protect your asset this season.
Water Defense
Water is the enemy. If it freezes inside your pipes, it expands and bursts the line.
1. The Golden Rule: Shut Off Outdoor Faucets This is the #1 cause of winter insurance claims.
- Locate the Valve: Find the internal shut-off valve for your outdoor hose bibs (usually found in the basement ceiling).
- The Process: Turn the internal valve off (clockwise). Then, go outside and open the outdoor tap. This drains the remaining water so there is nothing left to freeze. Leave the outdoor tap open all winter.
2. Gutter Hygiene & Extension Clogged gutters lead to Ice Dams. When snow melts on your roof, it flows down to the gutter. If the gutter is clogged with leaves, the water freezes, backs up under your shingles, and leaks into your attic.
- Action: Clean gutters immediately after the last leaves fall.
- Extension: Ensure downspouts extend at least 6 feet away from your foundation. You don’t want ice buildup right against your basement wall.
3. Sump Pump Check Your sump pump works hardest during the spring melt, but it can freeze in winter if the discharge line isn’t sloped correctly.
- Action: Check the outdoor discharge pipe. If water pools in it, it will freeze and block the pump, causing your basement to flood during a mid-winter thaw.
Heat & Air
Your furnace is the heart of your home. If it stops, the house freezes in hours.
4. The Furnace Filter Strategy A dirty filter chokes your furnace, making it work harder to push air. In extreme cold, this added stress can cause the furnace to overheat and shut down (safety lockout).
- Action: Buy a 3-pack of filters now. Change them monthly during December, January, and February.
5. Humidity Control Canadian winters are dry, but you must be careful with your humidifier.
- Too Low (<20%): Hardwood floors shrink and crack; gaps appear in trim.
- Too High (>40%): Condensation forms on windows, leading to ice buildup and rotting sills.
- The Sweet Spot: Keep your humidistat set between 30% and 35%.
6. Block the Drafts
- Windows: Check the weatherstripping. If you can slide a piece of paper easily between the sash and the frame, you are losing heat.
- Attic Hatch: This is a major heat leak. Ensure your attic hatch is insulated and sits flat. escaping heat melts snow on the roof, causing ice dams.
The Exterior Shield
7. Protect the AC Unit
- Do Not: Wrap your AC unit in tight plastic. This traps moisture and causes rust.
- Do: Place a piece of plywood on top of the unit (weighted down with a brick) to protect the fan from falling icicles. Use a breathable cover if you prefer, but airflow is key.
8. Seal the Foundation Mice are looking for a warm home right now.
- Action: Walk the perimeter of your house. Look for where pipes or wires enter the siding. If there are gaps larger than a dime, fill them with steel wool and seal with caulking.
Winterizing Your Home FAQs
Planning to sell your well-maintained home? Contact us here.
How much should I budget for home maintenance in Canada?
A general rule is to budget 1% to 3% of your home’s value each year for maintenance and repairs.
What is the most important fall maintenance task?
Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets to prevent frozen pipes is the single most critical task before winter.
At what temperature do pipes freeze in a house?
Pipes are at risk of freezing when the surrounding air temperature drops below 0°C (32°F). However, pipes inside exterior walls (like kitchen sinks) typically freeze when the outside temperature hits -6°C to -20°C if there is inadequate insulation or no warm air circulation.
Tip: Open cabinet doors on extremely cold nights to let warm house air reach the pipes.
What is the ideal humidity level for a house in winter?
In Canada, you must balance comfort with condensation.
0°C to -10°C: Keep humidity around 30% to 35%.
-20°C and colder: Drop humidity to 15% to 20%.
The Math: If you keep it at 40% when it’s -30°C outside, your windows will frost up, melt, and rot your sills.
When should I turn off my outside water in Canada?
You should aim to winterize your hose bibs by Halloween (October 31st) at the latest in Edmonton. The first hard frost often hits in mid-to-late October.
What temperature should I leave my house at when on vacation?
Never set your thermostat lower than 15°C (59°F) while away.
You need this baseline heat to ensure that pipes in the coldest corners of the house (like the basement or exterior walls) stay above freezing.
Insurance Note: Most policies require you to have someone check your home every 24–72 hours if you are away during heating season, or shut off the water main completely.
What R-Value should my attic insulation be?
For Zone 7A (Edmonton region), the current building code recommends R-60 for attic insulation. This equates to roughly 18 to 22 inches of blown-in cellulose or fiberglass. If you can see your floor joists in the attic, you likely only have R-20 or R-30 and are losing massive heat.
How much does a furnace tune-up cost?
A standard fall furnace inspection and tune-up in Edmonton typically costs between $150 and $220. Compared to the cost of an emergency after-hours service call on Christmas Eve (which can exceed $400+ just for the visit), this is vital preventative math.
