Winter Water Damage Prevention for Ontario Homes and Businesses

Before freezing weather

• Identify and label the main water shutoff and important branch shutoffs.
• Inspect exposed plumbing and have vulnerable pipes insulated by a qualified professional.
• Disconnect exterior hoses, service exterior taps where applicable and correct known drafts around plumbing penetrations.
• Test sump pumps and consider an appropriate backup-power or high-water alarm strategy.

Manage snow, ice and drainage

• Keep snow from blocking exhaust vents, basement window wells, drains and downspout outlets.
• Where practical and safe, move snow away from the foundation so meltwater does not collect against walls or windows.
• Arrange safe roof and eavestrough maintenance when heavy accumulation, ice dams or blocked drainage create risk.

Vacant and seasonal properties

• Maintain heat and monitoring appropriate to the building and plumbing system.
• Use a responsible inspection schedule and document visits.
• Consider temperature, water-flow or leak sensors, and confirm that alerts reach someone who can respond.
• Ask qualified trades about winterizing water systems when a property will be unoccupied.

After a thaw or power outage

• Check upper floors, plumbing rooms, basements, ceilings and exterior walls for leaks or dampness.
• Use flashlights rather than candles during outages and never use barbecues, generators or camping appliances indoors.
• If a pipe has burst, shut off water when safe, document conditions and begin professional water removal and drying promptly.

Frozen pipe response

Roof leaks and slow water damage

Ice storm damage response