Before Edmonton's first hard freeze, re-caulk exterior windows and doors, replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps, disconnect and drain garden hoses, extend downspouts away from the foundation, check the dryer vent flap closes, test smoke and CO alarms, and fix deck or fence issues while it's still dry.
Edmonton doesn’t give you much warning. One week it’s a nice September evening on the deck, and the next you’re scraping the windshield. Fall is the best time to catch the small things that turn into big problems once it’s minus 30. Here’s the checklist we work through with customers every year.
Outside: while the weather still allows
Most exterior sealants need dry conditions and temperatures above a minimum to cure properly, so outdoor jobs have a deadline. In Edmonton, aim to finish these by early October.
- Re-caulk exterior windows and doors. Look for cracked, shrunken or missing caulk where frames meet siding or stucco. Water that gets in now freezes and expands all winter.
- Disconnect garden hoses. Shut off the hose bib from inside if you have a separate valve, drain the line, and store the hose. A hose left attached can trap water and help split the pipe when it freezes.
- Extend your downspouts. Make sure each one discharges at least a couple of metres from the foundation, with splash pads in place. Spring melt is coming whether we like it or not.
- Clear the eavestroughs. Leaves left in the gutters turn into ice dams. If you have a two-storey house, hire a gutter company with the right ladders.
- Check fences and gates. Fix leaning posts and sagging gates now, before frost locks the ground.
- Look at the deck. Replace cracked boards and tighten railings so they’re safe when they’re icy.
- Seal gaps where pipes and vents go through the wall. Mice look for warm places to spend the winter, and a small gap is all they need.
Doors and windows: keep the heat in
- Weatherstripping. Close a door on a piece of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal is worn.
- Door sweeps. If you can see daylight under an exterior door, a new sweep or threshold adjustment will help.
- Window screens. Pull, clean and repair screens before storing them, so they’re ready for mosquito season.
- Window insulation film. For older, drafty windows, an insulation film kit is cheap and surprisingly effective.
Inside: safety and comfort
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Check the date on the back. Most manufacturers recommend replacing smoke alarms about every ten years.
- Clean the dryer vent. The furnace and dryer will be working hard all winter. Make sure the exterior flap opens freely and closes fully, and replace foil or plastic vent hose with metal duct.
- Change the furnace filter. Simple, cheap and easy to forget.
- Check bathroom caulking. You’ll be taking long hot showers soon. Make sure the tub and shower seals are intact.
- Run the humidifier sensibly. Dry air causes static, cracked drywall seams and sticking doors, but too much humidity causes condensation on windows. Keep an eye on it as temperatures drop.
Plan ahead for winter jobs
Winter is a good time for indoor jobs: mounting, furniture assembly, drywall repairs, fixture swaps and door adjustments. If you’ve been putting off a list, it’s often easier to get on the schedule in January than in May.
Want a hand with your list?
We do fall maintenance visits across Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park and the surrounding area. Text your list and a few photos to 780-566-1352 and we’ll quote it as one job. See our general repairs, windows and screens and dryer vent pages for more detail.