As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, now is the perfect time to prepare your home for winter. A little preventative maintenance in the fall can save you from costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and keep your home safe and comfortable all season long.

Here’s a practical checklist every homeowner should tackle before the snow flies:

1. Inspect and Clean Gutters & Downspouts

Fallen leaves and debris can clog gutters, leading to ice dams and water damage. Clean them out and make sure downspouts are directing water at least a few feet away from your foundation.

2. Seal Drafts Around Windows and Doors

Check for gaps where heat can escape. A quick bead of caulking or fresh weatherstripping keeps your home cozy and reduces heating costs.

3. Service Your Furnace

Schedule a professional inspection and replace the furnace filter. Regular servicing extends the life of your system and ensures it runs efficiently when you need it most.

4. Check Your Roof and Attic

Look for missing shingles, loose flashing, or signs of leaks. In your attic, make sure insulation is intact and there’s no evidence of moisture.

5. Shut Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets

Frozen pipes can burst and cause expensive damage. Shut off exterior water lines, drain hoses, and store them for the winter.

6. Prepare Your Yard

Rake leaves, trim back overhanging branches, and cover or store patio furniture. A final lawn cut and fertilizer application help your grass bounce back in spring.

7. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With furnaces and fireplaces running, fall is a prime time to double-check batteries and test all detectors. Safety first.

8. Clean Your Chimney and Fireplace

If you use a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned to prevent buildup and reduce fire hazards.

9. Inspect Walkways and Driveways

Fill cracks or uneven spots before freeze-thaw cycles make them worse. This helps avoid tripping hazards when surfaces get icy.

10. Stock Up on Winter Essentials

Make sure you’ve got shovels, ice melt, and warm gear ready before the first big snowfall.

Final Thoughts

Staying on top of seasonal home maintenance protects your biggest investment and keeps life running smoothly through the cold months.

👉 If you’re thinking of selling in the near future, a well-maintained home can also mean a higher selling price and fewer surprises during buyer inspections.

Need personalized advice on preparing your home for the market? Get your free Home Valuation Report or sign up for a free seller consultation.

You can also download this as a handy PDF checklist right here:

Home Maintenance Checklist Download

(NC) Today, many families are focused on improving their homes instead of spending money on vacations and entertainment outside. With autumn as your last major chance to renovate before the winter, here are some of the best projects to tackle now for maximum enjoyment of your space.

Upgrade your kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of your home, and where you’ll be spending lots of time cooking for the holidays and entertaining your small social circle. So, give it a facelift to make sure it’s a bright and welcoming environment. A great DIY project is painting the cabinets in a bold or warm shade and updating the hardware in a metallic neutral. You can also invest in sleek, energy-efficient appliances for a clean, modern aesthetic and get fresh seasonal linens for your tablescape.   

Finish your basement
A finished basement extends your living space and has an excellent return on investment. It’s also the perfect place to turn into a spacious dedicated home office, so you can finally stop working on your dining table or couch and boost your productivity and comfort. But whether you want to turn your basement into that, a rec room or in-law suite, the first step is installing a high-performance subfloor. The best option for this is Dricore subfloor panels, which are designed with air gap technology to help protect against mould and moisture and keep floors dry, comfortable and cozy all year. It’s an easy DIY project, as the panels are easy to install and a room only takes half a day to do.

Elevate your exteriors
Not only does the exterior of your home make the first impression, it can also extend your living space – which is crucial when we’re working, living and playing at home. Make the most of it with areas you can spend time in even when the temperature drops. For example, you can create a sitting area to relax in or host smaller outdoor get-togethers for your social bubble by screening in your porch or installing an awning over your backyard patio. Laying down Dricore panels can work here too, as they will make cold surface feel warmer, softer and cozier for your feet. Complete the space with a heating lamp and you’ll be able to enjoy your exteriors almost all year-round.

(NC) Winter is made for curling up inside to watch a good movie or tv show. And when you’re in hibernation mode, it’s nice to have a dedicated place for binge-watching. Here are some tips to create your very own theatre at home:

Minimize ambient disruptions. You don’t need to do a major remodel, but a few changes can help cut out distracting sounds and light. Try choosing a space that’s naturally darker like your basement, or you can fake it with room-darkening or blackout blinds. When it comes to eliminating noise, softer materials can make a big difference – add an area rug, throw pillows and lush curtains.  

Plan for proper viewing. For a comfortable experience, consider some rules of thumb for viewing and seating distances. The distance from your tv should be 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal width of the screen, and it’s best to have the centre of the screen at eye level. If you’re buying a new tv, use this formula to see how big you can go before it starts to get overwhelming.

Get the right media stand. You don’t want a multitude of cables cluttering up your home theatre, so look for a cabinet that has space for cable management. If you still have a Blu-ray or DVD player, make sure there’s space for it too. If most of your content comes via the internet, plan for your Wi-Fi router to be nearby. It’s also important that your electronics are well ventilated, as they can heat up when in use. A power strip with built-in surge protection can be a cost effective way to protect your high-tech toys.

Streamline your content. Many of us are cutting the cord nowadays, replacing traditional television with online subscription services. But if you still want to enjoy a cable-like experience, consider TiVo Edge for antenna, a live tv, DVR and streaming player that lets you easily find and watch the content you love. It integrates popular apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, as well as live-to-air television, and has handy features that let you search across content partners, record shows and skip commercials. Find more information at tivo.com/ca.

(NC) One of the best things about winter is coming inside from the frigid weather to a cozy and welcoming environment. To make your home a space where you’ll want to hibernate all season long, check out these tips.

Add layers of lighting. Our winters can be long and cold, so take steps to make sure your refuge is toasty warm and inviting. Swap out cool, white lightbulbs for warm ones and place plenty of light fixtures at various heights throughout your home. Think reading lamps, wall sconces and pendant lights. If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s clean and safe to use for natural lighting and warmth. You can also pepper your home with candles in comforting seasonal scents like fresh pine or cinnamon.

Create cozy nooks. Whether it’s in your bedroom, living room or study, set up spaces that make you want to curl up for a relaxing evening. Try making a little reading nook in your bay window where you can dive into a good read while pausing to watch the snow fall. If you love board games or puzzles, set up a dedicated table on the side of your living or family room, and you can leave them out so you can return whenever you like without worrying about tidying up.

Warm up with textiles. What’s better at this time of year than snuggling up with a fluffy pillow and blanket? Down isn’t just for the bed anymore, and there are lots of stylish (and Canadian) options that are a great addition to warm up any room in your household. For the most warmth and best insulation, choose high-quality down products that keep warmth in and cold out. Look for the Downmark label, which certifies a product is Canadian made and ethically sourced, an important feature for today’s savvy consumer.

(NC) Long nights and chilly weather activate our instincts to hunker down and nest at home. Get inspired to make your space relaxed and inviting and make the most of the season with these helpful tips and ideas.

For warmth. Is there anything better than curling up with a good book and comfy duvet as the snow falls gently outside? For a soft and warm cover, consider one with a down filling. Down is the warmest available; it’s a natural fill that has the ability to reloft and mould itself to your body for continuous warmth and comfort. It’s also great for your bedroom pillow and in a jacket for when you do decide to brave the cold.

Avoid buying down fibre, an inferior product that lacks insulation. To make sure you’re getting a quality product, look for the Downmark certification label, a globally recognized and trusted quality certification symbol for Canadian-made down and feather filled products. The label assures items are genuine and have been finished in Canada according to strict standards.

For décor. When looking for accent and decorative pieces, look for elements that evoke that cozy log cabin aesthetic. Think rich textures, plush neutrals and wooden accents. When layering a variety of throws, consider down and feather that will make the space feel warm and relaxed.. Add some winter whites with flowers and vases, and consider gold accents for a funky pop of colour that’s trendy and fresh.

For lighting. Fight the winter blues with plenty of lamps and candles. Create a comforting ambiance with a mix of overhead, floor and task lighting, which also gives you the flexibility to find the perfect brightness. Candles can add both warmth and light, giving your home a calm and lived-in feeling. Choose scented candles with your favourite aromas to remind you of yummy sweet treats or take you back to sunny summer day.

Curious about quality down and feather products? Learn more at downmark.org.

(NC) For many of us, the aesthetics of our home –– a colourful garden, new furniture or trendy appliances –– often become our primary focus. But this can leave little time for unseen elements that can become a safety hazard.

Something overlooked like a loose or frayed cord can spark a house fire, and this happens most frequently during the winter months, according to the Canadian Red Cross.

It doesn’t take much for a fire to start in your home, but it doesn’t take much to prevent one. That’s why around this time of year, it’s crucial to take small, precautionary measures that will keep your family out of harm’s way. Here are four easy steps for a fire-free home:

1. Develop a fire escape plan. Should a fire occur, it’s important to evacuate the home as quickly as possible. Creating a fire escape plan and practicing that plan twice a year will help ensure the safety of your loved ones in the event of a fire.

2. Check smoke detectors frequently. A functioning smoke detector can be the difference between a false alarm and a life-threatening scenario. Install them on every level of the house and take the time to test them monthly, replacing batteries at least twice a year; daylight saving time always serves as a good reminder.

3. Store and recycle batteries the right way. Once you have changed the batteries in your devices, be sure to recycle the old ones. Used batteries that are disposed of or stored incorrectly or damaged can be a safety hazard. Keep your home and the environment safe by recycling all your old batteries. Call2Recycle Canada has more than 8,000 drop-off locations across the country, so one is bound to be close by. You can visit their website at call2recycle.ca and plug in your postal code to find one closest to you.

4. Pay attention to detail. Have an eye for the little things. Make sure your home’s heating sources are clean, as many house fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, or chimneys with buildup. Check wiring and cords and fix or replace any frayed extension cords, exposed wires or loose plugs. Finally, make sure to store combustible materials in open areas and away from heat sources.