Drain exterior water first
Disconnect and drain all garden hoses, shut off the interior bib for any non-frost-proof exterior tap, and open the exterior tap to drain residual water. Burst hose bibs are the single most common preventable winter plumbing call in Calgary, and the damage often appears as ceiling staining one floor below in March.
Eaves and downspouts after leaf drop
Clean eaves and downspouts after leaf drop is finished — usually the third week of October in Calgary. Eavestroughs full of debris freeze into ice dams at the first major snowfall, forcing meltwater back under shingles. Confirm downspout extensions still direct water away from the foundation.
Book furnace service in September
Have the heat exchanger inspected for cracks, the burners cleaned, and the inducer motor checked. Replace the filter and confirm the humidifier (if installed) is operating with the bypass damper closed for heating season. Target 30–35% indoor humidity in Calgary winter.
Attic and envelope check
From inside the house, look at the underside of the roof sheathing through the attic hatch on a cold day. Frost on nails is normal in extreme cold; widespread frost on the sheathing means warm moist air is leaking from the living space — an air-sealing problem to address before it stains ceilings during a thaw.
Final caulking, weatherstripping, alarms
Replace exterior weatherstripping, top up door sweeps, and re-caulk separated joints. Test smoke and CO alarms and stock fresh batteries. Test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. Book chimney service before first wood-stove or fireplace use — creosote build-up is a real fire risk.
