Ottawa winters are among the harshest in Canada for residential homes. Temperatures dropping to -35°C, 200+ cm of annual snowfall, ice storms, and 5+ months of freeze-thaw cycles mean that fall preparation isn't optional — it's essential for protecting your home and preventing costly winter emergencies. The window for fall maintenance is September through mid-November. After that, frozen ground, snow cover, and cold temperatures make many tasks impossible or significantly more expensive. A well...
Furnace tune-up: Schedule professional maintenance ($100–$200) in September or early October. Includes filter replacement, flame inspection, heat exchanger check, ignition system test, and safety control verification. A tuned furnace is 10–15% more efficient and far less likely to fail during a cold snap. Furnace filter: Replace or clean the filter now, and plan to replace it again in December and February. Furnaces work hardest in Ottawa winters — a dirty filter reduces efficiency by 5–15% and...
Gutter cleaning: Remove fall leaves before freeze-up. Clogged gutters cause ice dams — the most destructive winter roofing issue. Schedule professional cleaning ($150–$350) in late October after leaf fall is complete. Roof inspection: Fix any damaged shingles, flashing, or vents before winter. Winter roof repairs are emergency-rate work ($$) and temporary at best. A $500 fall repair prevents a $5,000 winter emergency. Outdoor faucets: Shut off interior shut-off valves for exterior hose bibs. ...
Insulate exposed pipes: Pipe insulation ($1–$3 per foot) on any water pipes in unheated areas (garage, crawl space, attic, exterior walls). This $50–$200 investment prevents frozen pipes — a single burst pipe costs $5,000–$50,000 in damage. Sump pump test: Verify the sump pump operates by pouring water into the pit. Check the battery backup system — winter power outages are common in Ottawa. Replace the battery every 3–4 years. Hot water tank: Insulate older hot water tanks with a tank blanket...
Tree trimming: Remove dead branches that could fall under ice and snow weight. Trim branches within 6 feet of the house or power lines. Hire a certified arborist for large trees — insurance claims from fallen trees are among the most common in Ottawa. Leaf removal: Remove leaves from the lawn before snow cover. Leaves left under snow create dead patches and promote snow mould fungus. Mulch thin layers of leaves with the mower — free fertilizer. Garden cleanup: Cut back perennials, remove annua...
Begin in September with furnace tune-up and insulation checks. Complete exterior work (gutters, outdoor faucets, caulking) by mid-October. Finish lawn and garden cleanup by early November before the first hard freeze.
Shutting off and draining outdoor faucets. A frozen exterior faucet can burst inside the wall, causing hidden water damage that goes undetected for weeks. This takes 5 minutes and prevents thousands in damage.
DIY tasks cost $100–$300 in materials. Professional services (furnace tune-up, gutter cleaning, irrigation blowout) add $300–$700. Total: $400–$1,000, preventing $5,000–$30,000+ in potential winter damage.
Yes. Annual furnace maintenance ($100–$200) catches small problems before they cause mid-winter breakdowns (emergency furnace repair is $500–$1,500+). It also ensures safe operation — cracked heat exchangers can leak carbon monoxide.