Home Maintenance Checklist by Season: Canadian Homeowner Guide

A Canadian house goes through freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow, spring melt and summer humidity every year, and each season has its own set of jobs. This checklist covers the monthly, spring, summer, fall and winter tasks with typical DIY and professional costs, then the multi-year jobs and the replacement timeline for the big-ticket items you save for. It is part of our guide to property types in Canada, in the section on owning and improving a home.

Why maintenance matters financially

Deferred maintenance tends to cost far more later than it saves now. Small problems become big ones:

Neglected task	Cost to maintain	Cost to repair if neglected
Clean gutters twice a year	$200 to $400 a year	$5,000 to $15,000 (foundation or water damage)
Replace furnace filter quarterly	$40 to $120 a year	$5,000 to $10,000 (premature furnace failure)
Re-caulk windows and doors	$50 to $200 a year	$10,000 to $25,000 (window replacement)
Grade soil away from the foundation	$200 to $500 once	$10,000 to $40,000 (foundation crack repair)
Maintain the roof (inspect yearly)	$200 to $500 a year	$8,000 to $20,000 (replacing it earlier than needed)

Upkeep also protects what the home is worth: an old roof or a water-stained basement lowers the price buyers will pay, and our guide to estimating your home’s value explains how condition feeds into a valuation. A common rule of thumb is to set aside 1% to 3% of the home’s value each year for maintenance and repairs.

On a $600,000 home, 1% to 3% a year is $6,000 to $18,000 a year. Some owners keep this in a separate savings account so a furnace or roof replacement doesn’t land on a credit card.

Monthly tasks (all year)

These take 15 to 30 minutes in all:

Task	Why	Time
Test smoke and CO alarms	Life safety	2 min
Check the furnace or HVAC filter	A dirty filter makes the system work harder and can shorten its life	5 min
Look under sinks for leaks	Catches water damage early, before mould starts	5 min
Run rarely used fixtures	Keeps the P-trap from drying out and letting sewer gas into the home	2 min
Clean the dryer lint trap and check the vent	Lint buildup is a common cause of dryer fires	5 min
Check water softener salt (if you have one)	Prevents hard-water scale	2 min
Walk around the exterior	Spots damage from storms, animals or settling early	5 min

Spring checklist (March to May)

Spring is inspection and repair season: winter damage shows itself as the snow melts.

Exterior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Inspect the roof from the ground (binoculars)	High	$0	$200 to $400 (inspection)	Look for missing or curled shingles, damaged flashing and ice dam damage
Clean gutters and downspouts	High	$0	$150 to $300	Downspouts usually discharge 6 or more feet from the foundation
Check the foundation for new cracks	High	$0	Varies	Hairline cracks are common; widening cracks are worth an expert’s look
Check siding, brick or stucco	High	$0 to $50	Varies	Cracks, loose sections, peeling paint, mould or mildew
Inspect and repair caulking around windows, doors and trim	Medium	$20 to $50	$200 to $500	Keeps water out of the walls
Power wash siding, driveway and walkways	Low	$50 (rental)	$200 to $500	Removes mould and mildew
Check the deck or porch for loose boards, rot and popped nails	Medium	$50 to $200	$300 to $800	Check railings too; seal or stain every 2 to 3 years
Grade soil away from the foundation	High	$50 to $200	$500 to $2,000	A common target is a drop of 6 inches over the first 10 feet
Service the AC unit	Medium	$0 (clear debris)	$100 to $200 (tune-up)	Remove the winter cover and clear about 2 feet around the unit
Repair driveway cracks	Low	$20 to $50	$200 to $500	Sealed cracks expand less in the next freeze-thaw cycle
Check exterior lights, railings and steps	Medium	$5 to $100	Varies	Replace bulbs, test motion sensors, fix loose handrails and steps

Foundation cracks, grading and drainage are also what a home inspection looks at when you buy.

Plumbing and water

Task	How	Cost	Priority
Reconnect outdoor hoses	Turn on the interior shutoff valve for outdoor faucets; check the faucets for leaks or freeze damage	$0	High
Test the sump pump	Pour water into the pit; the pump turns on and discharges	$0	High
Check the sump pump backup battery	Test it, and replace it when it fails the test or reaches the age the maker gives	$100 to $200	High
Check for plumbing leaks	Under sinks, around toilets, behind the washing machine, around the water heater	$0	High
Flush the water heater	Drain sediment from the bottom valve	$0 (DIY)	Medium
Turn on and test the sprinkler system	Run it zone by zone; look for broken heads or leaking lines	$0 (DIY) or $75 to $150 (pro)	Medium

Interior, HVAC and safety

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Replace the HVAC filter	High	$10 to $30		Start of cooling season
Test the AC	High	$0		Run it for 15 to 30 minutes and check that cool air reaches every vent
Clean or replace the HRV or ERV filter	Medium	$0 to $50		Heat or energy recovery ventilators need seasonal filter cleaning
Check the attic for leaks	High	$0		Ice dam damage often shows up in spring
Clean the dryer vent line	High	$0	$100 to $200	Vacuum lint from the line and the exterior hood
Clean the range hood filter	Medium	$0		Soak in hot soapy water or run it through the dishwasher
Swap storm windows for screens	Medium	$0		Repair torn screens
Test the garage door safety reverse	High	$0		A 2×4 laid under the door makes it reverse on contact
Check fire extinguishers	High	$0	$50 to $100 (recharge)	Check the gauge and the expiry date
Test GFCI outlets	High	$0		Kitchen, bathrooms, garage and exterior outlets
Deep clean	Low	$0 (DIY)	$300 to $600	Behind and under appliances, inside the oven, bathroom grout and exhaust fans, light fixtures, windows, carpets, curtains and the garage

Lawn and garden

Task	When	Cost	Priority
Rake debris and dead grass	After the snow melts	$0	High
Aerate a compacted lawn	April to May	$50 to $150 (rental) or $100 to $300 (pro)	Medium
Overseed bare patches	April to May	$20 to $50	Medium
First mow, with the blade set high (about 3 inches)	When the grass reaches 3.5 to 4 inches	$0	Medium
Spring fertilizer	4 to 6 weeks after the grass starts growing	$30 to $60	Medium
Edge and mulch garden beds	After frost risk passes and the soil warms	$50 to $150	Low
Prune shrubs and trees	Before leaf-out for most species; after blooming for spring-flowering shrubs	$0 (DIY) or $200 to $600 (arborist)	Medium

Spring by month

Month	Focus
March	Book tradespeople (HVAC, roofer, arborist); start interior cleaning; look for visible exterior damage
April	Full exterior inspection once the snow is gone; reconnect outdoor water; test the sump pump; book the AC tune-up
May	Lawn care; power washing; deck maintenance; window cleaning; planting

Spring costs at a glance

Category	DIY cost	Professional cost
Exterior inspection and repairs	$50 to $200	$200 to $1,000
Plumbing checks	$0 to $50	$100 to $300
HVAC service	$10 to $30 (filter)	$100 to $200 (tune-up)
Gutter cleaning	$0	$150 to $300
Window cleaning (exterior)	$20 to $50	$200 to $500
Power washing (house and driveway)	$50 to $100 (rental)	$200 to $500
Lawn care start-up	$50 to $150	$200 to $500
Total	$180 to $580	$1,150 to $3,300

Summer checklist (June to August)

Summer is for outdoor work and getting ready for the heating season.

Exterior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Maintain landscaping	Medium	$0 to $200	$200 to $500 a month	Plants trimmed 12 or more inches from the house hold less moisture against the walls and give pests less access
Inspect and repair fencing	Low	$50 to $200	$300 to $1,000	Fix leaning posts and gates, replace damaged boards
Seal or stain the deck (every 2 to 3 years)	Medium	$100 to $300	$500 to $1,500	Done in warm, dry weather
Check outdoor faucets for leaks	Medium	$0		Repair before heavy watering
Inspect driveway and walkways	Low	$20 to $100	$200 to $500	Fill cracks and level trip hazards
Trim trees away from the house	High	$50 to $100	$300 to $2,000	Keeping branches 6 or more feet from the roof limits damage and pest access
Check window screens	Low	$5 to $15 per screen		Repair tears

Interior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Clean refrigerator coils	Medium	$0		Dusty coils make the fridge work harder; pull it out and vacuum them
Test and clean bathroom exhaust fans	Medium	$0		Remove the cover, vacuum the dust, check that the fan pulls moisture out
Check the basement for moisture	High	$0		Summer humidity often causes condensation; a dehumidifier helps when humidity runs above about 60%
Inspect the water heater	Medium	$0	$100 to $200 (flush)	Look for rust and leaks; flush sediment yearly
Check door and window weatherstripping	Medium	$20 to $50		Replace it if crushed or missing; it saves on both cooling and heating

Fall checklist (September to November)

Fall work prepares the house for months of freezing weather, and most winterization happens in September and October, before the first hard frost.

Exterior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Clean gutters and downspouts (again)	Critical	$0	$150 to $300	Clear leaves before the freeze; clogged gutters lead to ice dams
Inspect the roof	High	$0	$200 to $400	The last chance to fix loose shingles and flashing before winter
Winterize outdoor faucets	Critical	$0 to $20		Shut the interior valve, drain the line, add an insulated cover
Disconnect and store garden hoses	Critical	$0		Water left in a hose can freeze back into the faucet line
Drain outdoor fountains and water features	Medium	$0		Prevents freeze cracking
Grade soil and check drainage	High	$50 to $200	$500 to $2,000	Water needs to flow away from the foundation before the snowmelt
Winterize the sprinkler system	High	$0 to $50	$80 to $150 (blow-out)	Usually done by a pro with compressed air
Seal the driveway (every 2 to 3 years)	Medium	$100 to $200	$300 to $600	Protects asphalt from freeze-thaw damage
Trim dead branches	Medium	$0 to $100	$300 to $1,500	Ice-laden branches fall on roofs, cars and power lines
Store or cover outdoor furniture	Medium	$0 to $100		Garage, shed or weatherproof covers
Put away the lawn mower	Medium	$0 to $20		Drain the fuel or add stabilizer; clean the blade
Service the snow blower	Medium	$20 to $50	$80 to $150	Oil change, spark plug, test start before the first snow

Heating and interior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Book a furnace or boiler tune-up	Critical		$100 to $200	Yearly service with a safety check, cleaning and efficiency test
Replace the furnace filter	Critical	$10 to $30		A fresh filter for the heating season; a few spares cover the winter
Test the thermostat	High	$0 to $10		Check that the heat comes on at the set temperature; replace batteries
Set a thermostat schedule	Medium	$0		A lower setting overnight and when no one is home cuts heating costs
Clean heat registers and vents	Medium	$0		Vacuum dust and clear furniture away
Reverse ceiling fans (clockwise)	Low	$0		Pushes warm air down from the ceiling
Test smoke and CO alarms and change batteries	Critical	$10 to $20		Many households do it when the clocks change in November; replace any unit past the expiry date on its label
Seal drafts around windows and doors	High	$20 to $100	$200 to $500	Weatherstripping, door sweeps and caulk
Insulate exposed pipes	High	$20 to $50	$100 to $300	Pipes in the garage, crawl space, attic and exterior walls
Find and test the main water shutoff	High	$0		You’ll need it fast if a pipe bursts
Clean the chimney (if wood-burning)	Critical		$200 to $400	Creosote buildup causes chimney fires; a WETT-certified sweep can inspect it yearly
Bleed radiators (hot-water systems)	Medium	$0		Releases trapped air for even heating
Stock winter supplies	Medium	$50 to $200		Ice melt suited to the surface (rock salt can damage concrete), a shovel, flashlights, batteries

Windows, doors and attic

Task	Priority	Cost	Notes
Switch storm windows to the winter position	High	$0	For combination storm and screen windows
Add window insulation film to drafty or single-pane windows	Medium	$5 to $15 a window	Shrink-wrap film kit
Check door sweeps and thresholds	High	$10 to $30 a door	Worn sweeps let cold air under the door
Check the garage door seal	Medium	$20 to $60 (new seal)	Light at the bottom or sides means gaps
Check attic insulation	High	$0 (look)	Insulation that doesn’t cover the tops of the joists leaves room to add more
Check attic ventilation	High	$0 (look)	Soffit and roof vents clear of insulation and debris
Seal attic air leaks	High	$20 to $100	Foam or caulk around plumbing stacks, wiring and the attic hatch

Ice dams form when warm air leaking into the attic melts snow on the roof and the water refreezes at the colder eaves, where it backs up under the shingles. Attic insulation, air sealing and ventilation prevent most of them, and they also cut heating bills.

Winter checklist (December to February)

Winter is about monitoring and preventing damage.

Exterior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Clear snow from the roof (after heavy buildup)	High	$0 (roof rake)	$200 to $500	Limits ice dams and structural load; a roof rake works from the ground
Keep walkways and the driveway clear	High	$0 (shovel)	$50 to $200 a month (service)	You can be liable if someone slips on your property
Watch for ice dams	Critical		$300 to $800 (removal)	Heavy icicles along the eaves are a sign; the cause is usually attic heat loss
Check crawl space vents	Medium	$0		Whether they stay open or closed in winter depends on the house
Clear snow from exhaust and dryer vents	Medium	$0	$100 to $200 (pro vent cleaning)	Snow can block exterior vents; check after each storm
Shake heavy snow off evergreens	Low	$0		Prevents broken branches

Interior

Task	Priority	DIY cost	Pro cost	Notes
Monitor indoor humidity (30% to 50%)	High	$10 (hygrometer)		Too dry cracks wood and drywall; too humid causes condensation and mould
Watch for frozen pipes in cold snaps	Critical	$0	$200 to $2,000 (thaw or repair)	Open cabinet doors on outside walls and let faucets drip slightly
Replace the furnace filter (mid-season)	High	$10 to $30		Heavy use fills filters faster
Test GFCI outlets	Medium	$0		Press “test” and the power cuts off; press “reset” to restore it
Check the attic for frost	High	$0		Frost on the underside of the roof deck points to poor ventilation or air leaks
Check the sump pump before the spring melt	High	$0		Late February, before the thaw

Emergency preparation

Task	Cost	Notes
Power outage kit	$50 to $150	Flashlights, batteries, blankets, a phone power bank and a battery or crank radio
Food and water for 72 hours	$50 to $100	Non-perishable food and water for everyone in the home
Know the shutoffs	$0	Water main, gas valve and electrical panel
Check your home insurance	$0	Water damage, ice dam and sewer backup coverage vary by policy; see home insurance in Canada

Winter by month

Month	Tasks
November	Final gutter check after the leaves fall; test the furnace; stock ice melt
December	Check the furnace filter; watch for ice dams after the first heavy snow; clear snow from vents
January	Check the attic for frost; look for drafts during cold snaps; watch pipes in extreme cold
February	Replace the furnace filter; check the roof after storms; test the sump pump before the melt
March	Watch for ice dam damage as it melts; check the basement for water during thaws; plan spring work

What winter damage can cost

Failure	Typical repair cost
Burst pipe and water damage	$5,000 to $15,000
Ice dam roof leak	$3,000 to $10,000
Emergency furnace replacement in winter	$5,000 to $12,000
Foundation crack from frost heave	$2,000 to $8,000
Fallen branch on the roof	$1,000 to $10,000
Frozen septic system	$1,500 to $5,000

Whether insurance pays depends on the cause and the policy wording: sudden damage is treated differently from damage that builds up from a lack of maintenance. Some upgrades, such as a water leak detection system or a sump pump with battery backup, can also lower premiums with some insurers; see home upgrades that lower insurance premiums.

Annual and multi-year tasks

Task	Frequency	Cost	Expected lifespan
Professional furnace and AC tune-up	Yearly	$100 to $200 each	Furnace: 15 to 25 years; AC: 12 to 18 years
Chimney sweep	Yearly (if used)	$200 to $400
Professional roof inspection	Every 2 to 3 years	$200 to $400	Asphalt shingles: 20 to 30 years; metal: 40 to 70 years
Dryer vent cleaning (full line)	Every 1 to 2 years	$100 to $200
Septic tank pumping (if you have one)	Every 3 to 5 years	$300 to $600
Deck stain or seal	Every 2 to 3 years	$100 to $300 (DIY)
Driveway seal (asphalt)	Every 2 to 3 years	$100 to $200 (DIY)	Asphalt driveway: 20 to 30 years
Water heater flush	Yearly	$0 (DIY) or $100 to $200	Tank: 8 to 12 years; tankless: 15 to 20 years
Sump pump backup battery	Test yearly; replace when it fails or ages out	$100 to $200	Pump: 7 to 10 years
Window and door caulking	Every 3 to 5 years	$50 to $200

Major replacement timeline and costs

These are the capital expenses to plan and save for:

Component	Expected lifespan	Replacement cost
Asphalt shingle roof	20 to 30 years	$8,000 to $20,000
Furnace	15 to 25 years	$4,000 to $8,000
Air conditioner	12 to 18 years	$3,500 to $7,000
Water heater (tank)	8 to 12 years	$1,500 to $3,000
Windows (all)	20 to 30 years	$10,000 to $25,000
Exterior siding	20 to 40 years	$10,000 to $25,000
Driveway (asphalt)	20 to 30 years	$3,000 to $8,000
Deck	15 to 25 years	$5,000 to $15,000
Kitchen appliances	10 to 15 years	$3,000 to $8,000 (full set)
Interior paint	5 to 10 years	$2,000 to $5,000 (whole home)

Knowing the age of each of these when you buy tells you which ones are coming due; a replacement is often the moment to choose a more efficient furnace or better windows. Projects that go beyond upkeep, and which of them pay back at resale, are covered in renovations that increase home value, and planning a project’s cost in the home renovation budget guide. For homeowners planning to stay put as they age, aging-in-place modifications can be timed with these replacements, and climate risk when buying a home covers flood and wildfire exposure that maintenance alone can’t fix.