5 Things to Do Before Saskatoon Freezes Over
What should you do before Saskatoon freezes over? As of November 2026, five jobs protect your home this winter: disconnect and drain garden hoses, clear eavestroughs and downspouts, check weatherstripping, check your furnace filter, and make sure drainage runs at least 6 feet from the foundation.
Updated November 11, 2026 by Clayton McNally & Jessica Hamel, REALTORS®, Trusted Realty, Powered by RE/MAX Saskatoon
Why Does Winter Prep Matter So Much in Saskatoon?
Because small problems turn into expensive ones once the deep freeze sets in. A forgotten hose can split a pipe inside your wall, a clogged eavestrough can build ice along your roof, and water pooling at the foundation in spring can end up in your basement. A little prep now helps you avoid costly problems and keeps your home safe and comfortable all winter long. If the snow has already started, don’t worry: most of these can still be done on the next mild day.
Quick Reference: Your Winter Prep Checklist
| Task | When | What to check | What it prevents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Disconnect garden hoses | Before the first hard freeze | Hose off, outdoor tap drained, inside shut-off closed | Frozen and burst pipes, water damage |
| 2. Clear eavestroughs and downspouts | After the leaves drop | No leaves or debris, water flows freely | Ice build-up, overflow at the foundation |
| 3. Check weatherstripping | Fall, on a cold or windy day | Gaps, drafts or daylight around doors and windows | Drafts, heat loss, higher energy bills |
| 4. Service your furnace filter | Now, then monthly through winter | Grey, dusty or clogged filter | Poor airflow, a strained furnace |
| 5. Inspect exterior drainage | Before the snow sticks | Downspouts draining at least 6 feet from the house | Spring melt water in the basement |
1. Why Should You Disconnect Garden Hoses Before It Freezes?
Because water left in a connected hose and outdoor tap can freeze, expand and burst the pipe, sometimes inside the wall where you won’t see the leak until there’s water damage. Shut off and drain outdoor water lines where applicable:
- Close the inside shut-off valve for each outdoor tap, if your home has one (often in the basement near where the line goes outside).
- Open the outdoor tap to let the water in the line drain out.
- Disconnect the hose, drain it and store it in the garage or shed.
- Have a frost-free tap? Still take the hose off. A connected hose can trap water in the tap and cause it to freeze and crack.
Have an underground sprinkler system too? Here’s how to blow out your sprinklers.
2. Why Clear Eavestroughs and Downspouts in the Fall?
So meltwater has somewhere to go. Leaves and debris left in your eavestroughs hold water that freezes, builds ice along the roof edge and overflows right beside your foundation. Remove the leaves, flush the troughs if you can, and make sure water runs freely through each downspout and away from the house.
If your eavestroughs are high or hard to reach, it’s worth hiring help rather than climbing an icy ladder.
3. How Do You Check Weatherstripping on Doors and Windows?
Look and feel for gaps around exterior doors and windows. On a cold or windy day, hold the back of your hand near the edges of each door and window and feel for drafts. If you can see daylight under or around a closed door, the seal is worn.
- Replace cracked or flattened weatherstripping around door frames.
- Add or replace door sweeps on exterior doors, including the door from the garage.
- Caulk small gaps around window trim.
Sealing drafts is one of the cheapest ways to cut your heating bill. See more in our top 5 affordable ways to make your home more energy efficient.
4. How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter?
Check it now and about once a month through the winter, and replace it whenever it looks grey, dusty or clogged, or as often as the filter’s manufacturer recommends. A dirty filter chokes airflow and makes your furnace work harder exactly when you need it most.
From our own deals: we tell every client to change the furnace filter first thing after possession. Many times during a home inspection, our home inspectors have had to rip the filter out because it was so clogged it had jammed and gotten stuck in the furnace. It’s a cheap part, and it’s often the most neglected one in the house.
- Check the size printed on the edge of the old filter before you buy a new one.
- Point the airflow arrow toward the furnace when you slide the new one in.
- Write the date on the filter edge so you know when it was last changed.
- Keep a few spares on hand for the winter.
Just bought a home? Changing the filter is on our Possession Day Walkthrough Checklist, along with the other top things to do on possession day.
5. How Far Should Downspouts Drain From Your House?
At least 6 feet. Make sure your downspouts direct water away from the home and that drainage paths aren’t blocked, so the spring melt doesn’t soak the soil against your foundation.
What we see at inspections: almost every home inspection we attend flags the downspouts for dumping right at the foundation instead of at least 6 feet away from the house. It’s one of the most common items on an inspection report, and one of the easiest to fix.
- Attach downspout extensions or splash pads so water lands at least 6 feet out.
- Check that the ground slopes away from the house, not toward it.
- Clear window wells and drainage paths of leaves and debris.
- Know where your sump pump discharges, if you have one, and keep that spot clear.
Learn more in our guides to improving your property’s grading, protecting your house from rain damage and sump pump best practices.
Log Your Winter Prep: Start Your Free Home Records Tracker →
Our free Home Records & Warranty Tracker lets you note when you changed the filter, cleaned the eavestroughs or added downspout extensions, so you have a clear record when it’s time to sell.
Buying or Selling This Winter?
Buying? These five items are worth a look at every showing, even in winter. Our What to Look For home viewing checklist helps you spot them and compare homes side by side.
Selling? Well-maintained basics give buyers confidence and mean fewer surprises on the inspection report. Map out your next steps with My Selling Plan, read our Saskatoon Home Seller’s Guide, or get a free home evaluation.
What Else Should You Do Before Winter?
For the rest of your seasonal to-do list, see getting your property ready for fall and the 5 photos to take before the snow hides everything. You’ll find all of our home care guides in the Home Maintenance section of the blog, and every free tool in our Resource Center.
Questions About Your Home This Winter?
Protect your home, your investment and your peace of mind this winter. Whether you’re getting ready to sell or just want to look after the home you love, we’re happy to help. Talk to Clayton and Jessica, your trusted REALTORS®: call or text Jessica at 306.241.6029 or Clayton at 306.341.4401.
