The Ultimate Winnipeg Winter Prep Checklist

Winter in Winnipeg can be long and unforgiving. This checklist walks you step-by-step through the most important things to do before the cold hits — HVAC and furnace prep, plumbing protection, roof and ice-dam prevention, exterior and yard tasks, and emergency supplies so your home stayed safe and warm all season.

Quick wins — first things to do for fast protection (Winnipeg winter prep)

Schedule a professional furnace tune-up and replace furnace filters.
- Disconnect and drain exterior hoses, shut off outdoor water valve, and close foundation vents if present. - Inspect and clear gutters and downspouts so melting snow can flow away from the roof and foundation. - Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were tested and batteries replaced.

These quick actions prevented many common winter issues and were the fastest way to reduce immediate risk ahead of the first freeze.

HVAC & furnace prep (winterize your home Winnipeg)

1. Book a professional tune-up. A certified technician inspected burners, checked the heat exchanger, verified combustion safety, lubricated motors, tested the thermostat and measured system performance. Annual servicing kept systems efficient and reduced emergency breakdowns during Winnipeg’s coldest months.
2. Replace or clean filters. A clean filter improved airflow and helped the furnace run less often while delivering more heat.
3. Check vents and returns. Confirm supply registers and returns were open and unobstructed; blocked airflow increased run times and uneven heating.
4. Consider programmable or smart thermostat settings. Setting a reliable schedule (or remote control while away) helped manage energy use during prolonged cold spells.

If you suspected furnace issues during the tune-up (pilot/igniter problems, short-cycling, odd noises), get repairs scheduled before temperatures dropped further.

Plumbing protection & frozen-pipe prevention (winter prep checklist Winnipeg)

• Insulate vulnerable pipes. Pipes in unheated or exterior walls and in crawl spaces were wrapped with foam insulation or heat tape to reduce freeze risk.
• Close and drain exterior faucets and remove hoses — leaving them connected risked freezing and burst fittings. Drain and winterize irrigation lines.
• Know when to drip faucets. During extreme cold, allowing a slow drip from faucets on exterior walls relieved pressure and helped prevent freezing in vulnerable runs. Experts recommended dripping hot and cold lines on the affected fixture.
• Keep heat on at a reasonable minimum when away (avoid letting the house drop too low) and open cabinet doors under sinks adjacent to exterior walls to let warm air circulate.

If a pipe did freeze, shutting off the main water and safely thawing the pipe (hair dryer, heat tape, or calling a plumber) prevented worse damage; do not use open flame.

Roof, gutters and ice-dam prevention (winterize your home Winnipeg)

• Clean gutters and downspouts before heavy snow. Blocked gutters made ice dams more likely when snow melted and refroze at the eaves.
• Improve attic insulation and ventilation. Keeping the attic cold and the roof deck near exterior temperature reduced snowmelt from interior heat and lowered ice-dam risk; sealing attic bypasses and adding insulation helped maintain uniform roof temperature.
• Trim overhanging branches that could damage the roof under snow or ice loads.
• When needed, use professional ice-dam removal. If an ice dam formed, professional steam removal and repair of the underlying issue (insulation or ventilation) typically prevented recurrence.

Careful roof and attic preparation reduced the likelihood of interior leaks and costly repairs after warm spells.

Exterior & yard tasks — protect structure and entryways

• Store or cover outdoor equipment: drain and store hoses, cover grills, and winterize pool/spa equipment.
• Inspect the roof for missing shingles or damage and repair before snow load.
• Prepare snow-removal supplies: service snowblower, stock shovels, ice melt/grit, and consider a plan for rooftop snow removal if your roof pitch and local code require it.
• Check sump pump and drainage: ensure sump pump backups worked and downspouts discharged well away from the foundation.

These steps helped prevent frozen entryways, foundation water problems in spring, and hazards during storms.

Emergency supplies & safety plan (winter prep checklist Winnipeg)

A basic winter emergency kit for the home included: - Flashlights, fresh batteries, and a battery-powered radio.
- A multi-day supply of water and non-perishable food for each household member.
- Warm blankets, a first-aid kit, and hand warmers.
- A snow shovel, ice melt, and adequate warm clothing.
- Backup heating options: a safe, approved space heater (used per instructions) or portable generator and carbon-monoxide monitoring — never operate generators indoors. Test smoke and CO detectors after any heater or generator use.

Keep emergency phone numbers handy (local utility, plumber, HVAC, ice-dam removal), and share a plan with family or neighbours.

Final checklist (copy & save)

Print or copy this short checklist and tick items off as you finish them:

• [ ] Book furnace tune-up and change filter.
• [ ] Test smoke & carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries.
• [ ] Drain and store hoses; shut off exterior water valves.
• [ ] Insulate exposed pipes & open under-sink doors.
• [ ] Clean gutters and inspect roof; trim branches.
• [ ] Prepare snow removal tools; service snowblower.
• [ ] Stock emergency kit (water, food, blankets, flashlight).
• [ ] Check sump pump and drainage.
• [ ] Program thermostat & verify heating zones.
• [ ] Save contractor numbers (HVAC, plumber, ice-dam removal).

When to call a pro (quick guide)

• Furnace showed unusual noises, failed tune-up items, ignition issues, or suspected carbon monoxide — call a licensed HVAC technician immediately.
• If you found mold, active leaks, or roof damage, call qualified remediation or roofing professionals.
• For serious ice dams or rooftop snow removal, call experienced local crews to avoid roof damage.

Wrap up & local help

Preparing your home early paid off when Winnipeg’s cold arrived — fewer emergencies, lower energy bills, and a safer, more comfortable house. If you wanted help with furnace servicing, duct inspection, or a winter-readiness visit, LIDOMA Home Services provided certified HVAC tune-ups, pipe-freeze prevention advice, and emergency response in the Winnipeg area.

Stay warm, stay safe, and check these items off while the weather is still mild.