Winter doesn't damage houses all at once — it exploits every small opening and low spot you leave it. A weekend spent on the exterior in fall closes most of those openings while the work is still easy and the weather still cooperates. This is the checklist we work through, in the order we'd do it.
Caulking and Sealing
- Windows and doors. Replace exterior caulking that's cracked, shrunk, or pulling away from the frame. Failed caulking is an open door for water and cold air.
- Foundation cracks. Seal hairline cracks so freeze-thaw cycles don't widen them all winter. A crack that grows or shows water staining deserves a closer look, not just sealant.
- Siding and trim joints. Check where trim meets siding, especially around corners and at the tops of windows, and re-seal open joints.
- The sill plate. Where the house framing sits on the foundation is a common gap — seal it from inside the basement if you can reach it.
Grading: Get Water Moving Away
Soil should fall away from the house by about 15 cm over the first 3 metres. Over the years, beds settle and soil builds up against the foundation instead — and meltwater follows it straight to the wall. Top up low areas with soil (not mulch) tamped to slope away, and keep soil and mulch levels below the siding so moisture and pests stay out of the framing. Check window wells while you're at it: they should be clear of leaves and debris, with the drain at the bottom able to do its job, so a well doesn't become a bucket against the basement window.
Eavestroughs and Downspouts
Clean the eavestroughs, then check the slope — water should run to the downspouts, not sit in low runs. Tighten loose fasteners and re-seat any sections pulling away from the fascia. Extend the downspout discharge 1.5–2 metres from the foundation so roof water lands well clear of the wall. If you have rain barrels, drain them and disconnect or bypass them for winter; a full barrel will split in a hard freeze.
Outdoor Faucets and Hoses
Disconnect every hose, drain it, and store it. Shut off the interior valve feeding each outdoor faucet, open the outside tap to drain the line, and leave it open. A connected hose traps water where the freeze hits first and is behind a large share of spring's burst-pipe calls.
Decks, Patios, and Concrete
Clear leaves and debris off decks and out of the gaps between boards so meltwater drains through instead of pooling. Move planters up onto risers or off the deck entirely. On concrete — patios, walkways, the driveway apron — seal open cracks before winter so freeze-thaw doesn't pry them wider, and remember through the season: avoid rock salt on concrete. It damages the surface; sand gives you the traction without the harm.
What a Contractor Walkthrough Catches
Homeowners catch the obvious items. A contractor's walkthrough catches the ones with consequences: failing flashing at roof-to-wall joints, rot starting behind trim that looks fine from the ground, a ledger board connection that's loosening, grading that looks right but drains to a corner with no outlet, fascia too soft to hold the eavestrough through an ice load. It's the difference between checking boxes and actually knowing the house is ready.
Walk the list now and winter has a lot less to work with. Call Concepts Construction at (705) 330-2911 for a free estimate on fall exterior prep and repairs in Barrie and Simcoe County. We're available Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
