November is your last chance to act. Once the first snowfall settles in, several exterior tasks become impossible — or simply too dangerous to carry out.
The numbers are sobering. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, weather-related claims in Quebec jumped from an average of $97 million per year (2011–2015) to $416 million per year (2021–2023) — a +329% increase in ten years. A single burst pipe during a cold snap can cause up to $35,000 in damages in one home.
The good news: the vast majority of this damage is preventable with simple checks done at the right time. Here are the 20 points to tick off before the deep freeze sets in.
Exterior
Weatherproofing
Plumbing
Heating
Safety
Interior
The roof is often the most neglected area — and the most expensive to fix once winter sets in. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, most residential roofs are built to support 40 to 50 kg/m², while wet snow and ice can reach 300 to 500 kg/m³ — up to ten times the weight of fresh snow. Undetected overloading can lead to serious structural damage.
Clean your gutters after the last leaves have fallen. Clogged gutters lead to ice dams in December, which damage the roof, fascia boards, and sometimes interior walls.
Walk the perimeter and look for any foundation cracks or signs of moisture infiltration. Freeze-thaw cycles make existing cracks worse — what costs little to fix in November can turn into a major job by spring. Also check the exterior sealant around doors and windows to prevent thermal bridging.
According to the Association provinciale des constructeurs d’habitations du Québec (APCHQ), disconnecting the garden hose from the outdoor faucet is a step many homeowners forget. Residual pressure in the hose can cause it to split even when the faucet is closed, leading to water infiltration inside the home.
For pipes in unheated spaces — garage, crawl space, shed — insulate them or shut off the water supply and drain the lines.
If your furnace hasn’t been serviced in over a year, schedule a technician visit in October or November. Once the cold arrives, wait times stretch considerably. A technician will inspect the burner, filter, belts, and electrical connections.
According to CAA-Québec, an annual chimney sweep is recommended before the first winter use of your fireplace. A dirty flue is one of the leading causes of residential fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Use the fall time change as your annual reminder to replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — a best practice recommended by CAA-Québec.
Window screens left in frames during winter trap moisture between the mesh and the glass. When that water freezes, it puts pressure on the frames and can damage the seal or crack the wood. Remove them before the first frost and store them somewhere dry.
In winter, Quebec homes stay sealed for weeks on end — if heat pump or HRV filters are clogged, indoor air quality suffers and the system works harder than necessary. Manufacturers recommend cleaning or replacing heat pump filters every 1 to 3 months and checking HRV filters at least once a year — November, before running the system at full capacity, is the ideal time.
Winter entry mats protect floors from water, salt, and mud tracked in with footwear. Beyond appearances, they prevent damage to wood or vinyl flooring — especially at the entrance, hallway, and garage area. If you use the same mats year-round, make sure they’re non-slip on wet surfaces.
Dry winter air in Quebec can crack wood, damage furniture, and irritate airways. The recommended indoor humidity level for a home in winter is between 30% and 50%. If your heating system includes a built-in humidifier, check that the filter or media pad is clean and functional before the season starts.
Found an issue during your checklist? Find a certified contractor near you on Neat — compare offers and act before the cold makes repairs impossible.
Some of the repairs your checklist reveals may qualify for government financial assistance. Note: the classic Rénoclimat program no longer accepts new applications as of October 1, 2025. Two programs are currently active for 2025–2026:
| Program | Organization | Eligible Work |
|---|---|---|
| LogisVert | Hydro-Québec | Building envelope insulation and air sealing, efficient heat pumps, high-performance heating systems, water heaters |
| Rénoclimat – Adaptation | Government of Quebec | Ventilation, drainage, infiltration protection, thermal resilience against climate change |
Check the official Hydro-Québec and Government of Quebec websites to confirm your eligibility before starting any work.
Winter prep is one hour of checking that can save you weeks of repairs. Work through these 20 points in November, identify what’s beyond a DIY fix, and hand it off to a professional before the cold makes the work impossible or too costly.
Create your home profile on Neat and post your project — local contractors send you their offers directly. Free to start.
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