After surviving another Ottawa winter, your home deserves a thorough spring inspection. Ottawa's winters are punishing — months of freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, ice, road salt, and extreme temperature swings take a measurable toll on roofing, siding, foundations, driveways, and landscaping. A comprehensive spring inspection identifies winter damage early, before small problems become expensive repairs. It also establishes your renovation and maintenance priorities for the upcoming warm season. This guide covers every area to inspect, what to look for, and when to call a professional. C...
Start with the exterior — this is where most winter damage occurs.
Inspect the roof from ground level with binoculars. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Check flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Look for ice dam damage at eaves (missing shingles, bent flashing, damaged soffits). Check for sagging or uneven areas that may indicate structura...
Walk the perimeter and inspect all siding for cracks, holes, loose panels, and moisture damage. Check for frost heave damage at the foundation line. Inspect caulking around windows and doors. Look for paint peeling or bubbling that may indicate moisture infiltration. Check vinyl siding for panels th...
Inspect the foundation for new cracks — hairline cracks may have widened during freeze-thaw. Check for displacement or movement at crack locations. Verify that grading still directs water away from the foundation (winter settling and snowmelt may have altered drainage). Check window wells for damage...
Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycles and road salt take a heavy toll on hard surfaces.
Inspect concrete for new cracks, spalling, and surface deterioration. Check interlock pavers for heaving, settling, and displaced stones. Inspect asphalt for new cracks and potholes. Address concrete cracks with appropriate filler before they worsen. Relevel heaved interlock sections. Fill and seal ...
Transition your HVAC system from heating to cooling mode.
Schedule professional AC maintenance for April or May before the cooling season. Replace furnace filter. Clean the outdoor AC condenser unit — remove debris, leaves, and winter cover. Verify the AC system operates correctly by running it when outdoor temperatures are above 15 degrees. Check refriger...
Clean bathroom exhaust fans. Clean kitchen range hood filters. Open windows on warm days to ventilate the home after months of sealed winter conditions. Consider a professional duct cleaning ($300 to $500) if not done in the last 3 to 5 years. Replace HRV or ERV filters and clean the core.
Address winter damage to landscaping and prepare for the growing season.
Rake winter debris from lawns and beds. Assess tree damage from ice and snow — call an arborist for large damaged branches. Check retaining walls for frost heave movement. Repair lawn damage from salt, snow mold, and winter traffic. Clean and repair decks and fences. Reconnect exterior faucets and t...
Interior issues from winter may not be immediately obvious.
Check ceilings and walls for water stains from ice dam leaks. Look for new cracks in walls or ceilings that may indicate structural movement. Check basement for signs of water infiltration during spring thaw. Test all windows and doors for smooth operation — winter heave can shift frames. Check for ...
Spring is the ideal time to plan renovation projects.
Prioritize any repairs identified during the spring inspection. Get quotes for planned renovation projects — contractors are booking up for summer. Schedule exterior projects (roofing, siding, painting) for May through September. Plan interior projects for any season but consider that winter offers ...
Complete your spring inspection in April or early May, after snow has melted but before the busy renovation season. This gives you time to address issues while contractors have availability.
Missing, cracked, or curling shingles, damaged flashing, ice dam evidence at eaves, sagging areas, and damaged soffits. Use binoculars from ground level and call a professional for closer inspection if you see concerns.
Walk the perimeter looking for new or widened cracks. Check grading to ensure water drains away from the foundation. Inspect basement walls for new water stains or moisture. Test sump pump operation.
Schedule professional AC maintenance for April or May. You can test the system when outdoor temperatures are consistently above 15°C. Running the AC in cold weather can damage the compressor.
Fill concrete cracks with appropriate filler. Relevel heaved interlock stones. Fill and seal asphalt cracks. Schedule seal coating for May or June when surfaces are clean and dry.