Winter is moving in, and temperatures are starting to dip below zero. The City of London is reminding residents to winterize their homes before winter settles in for the season. City officials say now is the time to complete basic outdoor maintenance that can help prevent flooding, frozen pipes and costly repairs once winter fully arrives.
The City notes that outdoor faucets, hoses, rain barrels and eavestroughs are some of the first places where homeowners can run into trouble. When water freezes, it expands inside pipes and gutters, which can push against foundations, crack fixtures or lead to leaks once temperatures rise again.
Mike at Handyman Services says the most important step is clearing out anything that allows water to pool around a home.
“Clean out the eavestroughs,” he said. “Make sure the downspouts do not fall beside the house. If there are any divots around the foundation, that pocket can fill with ice and cause a flood.”
Mike says he often sees water damage that starts with small problems people do not notice. A blocked eavestrough or a downspout draining too close to a wall can allow water to creep toward weak points in older foundations. As the freeze and thaw cycle continues through the winter, that water can expand, contract and eventually push its way inside.
He says outdoor water lines are another major concern. When homeowners forget to disconnect their hoses or leave water flowing to outdoor taps, those pipes can burst as soon as the temperature drops.
“It is mainly just maintenance,” Mike said. “Shutting your water off, checking siding and sealing windows so you do not lose heat over the winter.”
The City also encourages residents to disconnect and store rain barrels, drain outdoor pumps and clear any debris from eavestroughs. Homeowners are also being reminded to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as part of seasonal safety checks.
For residents who plan to travel during the winter, the City recommends turning off the main water supply to prevent leaks or flooding while the home is empty.
A full winterizing checklist is available on the Climate Action page at london.ca.
