Here are 10 practical winterizing tips for a BC home.
- Shut off and drain outdoor water first.
Close the interior shut-off for every hose bib, disconnect hoses, open the outdoor tap so leftover water can drain, and leave it open for the season. This is the most common preventable insurance claim in a Canadian winter. - Protect pipes in unheated spaces.
Wrap exposed lines in crawlspaces, garages, attics, and exterior walls with foam sleeves (or heat tape on the worst runs). Seal gaps where pipes enter the house so cold air isn’t blowing on them. Know where your main water shut-off is and label it. - Clean gutters and downspouts after the last leaves.
Clogged gutters are a main driver of ice dams. Extend downspouts so meltwater dumps well away from the foundation instead of pooling against the house. - Watch the roof for ice dams and snow load.
Ice dams form when heat leaks into the attic, melts snow, and that water refreezes at the eaves. Fix attic insulation and ventilation first; a roof rake helps on lower slopes after big dumps. In mountain towns, also watch total snow load—don’t wait until the roof is groaning. - Seal drafts around doors, windows, and penetrations.
Weatherstripping, door sweeps, and caulk around frames and pipe/wire holes keep heat in and cold off plumbing. Plastic window film is a cheap extra layer on older single-pane glass. BC Hydro notes that sealing leaks and using the house smarter can cut a lot of heating waste. - Service the heat source before you need it.
Furnace or heat pump: filter change plus a professional check. Wood stove or fireplace: chimney sweep and flue inspection (creosote + blocked flues are a real fire risk). Keep furnace exhaust and intake vents clear of snow. - Keep the house above freeze when you’re away.
Don’t shut the heat off. Provincial guidance is often no lower than about 12°C; many insurers and plumbers prefer 15–16°C so wall cavities stay safer. Open under-sink cabinets on the coldest nights so room air can reach the pipes. - Push snow away from the foundation and vents.
Snow piled against siding and the foundation soaks wood and overloads perimeter drains when it melts. Keep gas meters, dryer vents, and heat-pump outdoor units clear. - Control indoor humidity.
Too high and you get window condensation, frost, and rot; too low and the house feels colder. Aim roughly 30–35% in moderate cold and lower when it’s well below −10°C. - Prep for storms and outages, not just cold.
BC winters knock power out. Have flashlights, batteries, a way to stay warm that doesn’t rely only on electricity, extra blankets, and a charged phone. PreparedBC also flags insulation, weatherstripping, and frozen-pipe prevention as core home winterizing steps.