Homeowner guideSeasonal
Fall Plumbing Checklist Before Winter
Before the first hard frost, a few hours of plumbing prep protects your home through a Markham winter.
A peaceful snowy scene of modern homes under a winter snowfall.
- Short steps a homeowner can follow safely
- What to check before you pick up the phone
- Clear signs it is time to call a plumber
- Markham and York Region notes where they matter
- Licensing details confirmed when you call
- Residential
- Commercial
- Markham & York Region
The short version
- Disconnect and drain garden hoses.
- Close inside shut-offs for outdoor faucets.
- Open outdoor faucets to let trapped water drain.
- Blow out irrigation systems or have them winterized.
- Clean eavestroughs after leaves fall.
Inside
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas.
- Seal drafts near pipes in the basement.
- Test the sump pump and backup.
- Flush the water heater.
- Check the main shut-off valve works.
Plan for absences
For winter trips, leave the furnace running at a sensible setting, have a friend look in, and think about closing the main valve. Put the water heater on its holiday setting too.
From the van: Tape a note beside the furnace saying where the main shut-off is, so whoever looks in on the house can close it fast.
Cottages and seasonal properties
If you own a cottage, winterize the plumbing: drain lines, add antifreeze to traps, and turn off the water heater. Rules for wells and septic systems vary, so follow the advice for your property.
Book early
Fall is busy for plumbers, especially after the first cold snap. Book repairs and upgrades before the weather turns.
Gutters and grading
Leaves clog eavestroughs in late October, and the overflow lands right beside your foundation. Clean them after the last big leaf drop, then look at the soil around the house. Low spots that hold puddles now will hold meltwater in March.
A quick look at the sump discharge before snow arrives is worth it too: confirm it points downhill and is not buried under a flower bed.