Island winters bring wind, wet snow and long freeze-thaw stretches. Most winter emergency calls trace back to something that could have been handled in October in under an hour.
Water first
- Shut off and drain outdoor taps, then disconnect and store hoses
- Insulate any pipe running through an unheated crawlspace or garage
- Know where your main shut-off is and make sure the valve actually turns
Roof, gutters and ice dams
Clean gutters after the leaves are down, not before. Blocked gutters are the main cause of ice dams, and ice dams are the main cause of the brown ceiling stains people call us about in February. If you had staining last winter, the underlying issue is usually attic heat loss rather than the roof itself.
Drafts and heating
- Replace worn weatherstripping on exterior doors
- Caulk gaps around window trim and any siding penetrations
- Clean or replace heat pump and furnace filters
- Clear at least half a metre around outdoor heat pump units and raise them above expected snow depth
Storm readiness
After Fiona, most Islanders take this seriously. Trim branches overhanging the roof and driveway, secure or store patio furniture and trampolines, and clear the yard of anything that becomes a projectile in an 80 km/h gust. Make sure the generator, if you have one, starts before you need it.
Walkways and access
Mark the edges of driveways and walkways before the first snow so plowing does not tear up the lawn. Fix loose steps and railings now — they are much harder to repair once the ground is frozen, and they are the most common cause of winter falls for older homeowners.