Home ownership 5 min read

Home Maintenance Checklist Ontario Homeowners Need This Fall

A fall home maintenance checklist for Ontario homeowners: gutters, grading, sump pumps, insurance and permits to prevent water damage before winter.

Nima Nojavan-KheiraddinReal Estate Sales Representative, B.Sc.

Home Maintenance Checklist Ontario Homeowners Need This Fall

Most expensive winter repairs start as small fall oversights: a clogged downspout, a sump pump nobody tested, a hose left connected to an outdoor tap. This home maintenance checklist for Ontario homeowners focuses on water, because water causes the damage that is hardest to see early and costliest to fix. It also covers renovation permits in Toronto and home insurance in Ontario, two areas where a little planning avoids real trouble.

What is a home maintenance checklist in Ontario?

A home maintenance checklist is a short, repeatable list of inspections and small repairs, organized by season. In Ontario, the fall list matters most because the freeze-thaw cycle, snow load and ice put stress on roofs, foundations and plumbing.

The goal is simple: keep water out of the house, keep heat in, and catch problems while they are still cheap. Do the list once each fall, write down the date, and keep your receipts.

Exterior: roof, gutters and grading

Start outside, ideally after most leaves have come down.

  • Clean the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters overflow beside the foundation, and that water often ends up in the basement.
  • Extend downspouts away from the house. Water should discharge several feet from the foundation, onto ground that slopes away from the walls.
  • Check the grading. Soil that has settled toward the house sends water to the foundation. Add compacted fill where needed.
  • Look at the roof. From the ground, check for missing, curled or cracked shingles and for damaged flashing around chimneys and vents.
  • Seal gaps. Caulk around windows, doors and where pipes or cables enter the house. Replace worn weatherstripping.
  • Shut off outdoor taps. Disconnect hoses, close the interior shut-off valve to each outdoor tap if you have one, and drain the line.

Plumbing and basement: where water damage usually starts

Walk through the basement with a flashlight and look at the walls, floor and ceiling for stains, efflorescence (white mineral deposits) or a musty smell.

  • Test your sump pump. Pour water into the pit and confirm the pump starts, empties it and shuts off. If you have a battery backup, check it too.
  • Check the backwater valve. If your home has one, make sure it is accessible and working. It helps stop sewer water from flowing back into the house during heavy rain.
  • Know your main water shut-off. Everyone in the home should know where it is and how to close it.
  • Inspect visible pipes and appliance hoses. Look for drips, corrosion and bulging hoses at the washing machine, water heater and under sinks.
  • Keep floor drains clear. Remove debris and pour in some water to confirm the drain flows.

The City of Toronto has offered a basement flooding protection subsidy in the past. Programs change, so check the current terms before you spend money.

Heating and safety

  • Service the furnace. Book a licensed technician before the first cold snap, and replace the filter.
  • Inspect the chimney and fireplace before you use them.
  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. In Ontario, working smoke alarms are required on every storey, and CO alarms are required near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
  • Check attic insulation and ventilation. Poor insulation lets heat escape and melt roof snow unevenly, which can form ice dams along the eaves.

Renovation permits in Toronto: check before you start

Some fall repairs are routine. Others need approval. In Toronto, structural changes, new or altered decks, additions, new basement entrances and certain plumbing, electrical and HVAC work can all require permits. Installing a backwater valve or changing drainage may involve a plumbing permit.

Do not assume a contractor has this covered. Confirm with Toronto Building, or the building department in your GTA municipality, whether your project needs a permit. Unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims, and it can complicate a future sale.

Permits also connect to Toronto property tax. Routine maintenance generally does not change your assessment. Additions and new construction may be picked up by MPAC, the provincial assessment agency, which can affect your assessed value over time. Ask your lawyer or an accountant how a specific project might apply to you.

Home insurance in Ontario: review before winter

Fall is a good time to read your policy and call your broker. Water coverage varies widely between policies and insurers.

  • Ask whether sewer backup and overland flood coverage are included or optional, and what the limits and deductibles are.
  • Ask whether having a backwater valve or sump pump affects your coverage or premium.
  • Tell your insurer about renovations, especially finished basements, since this can change what is covered.
  • Ask what the policy requires if the home is unoccupied for an extended period, such as over a winter trip.
  • Photograph your belongings and keep maintenance receipts. Both help if you ever need to file a claim.

Tarion warranty: for newer homes

If you bought a newly built home from a builder, the Tarion warranty may still apply. Coverage is staged over one, two and seven years, and the two-year coverage includes water penetration through the basement or foundation and the building envelope. The seven-year coverage applies to major structural defects. Deadlines for submitting claims are strict, so document problems in writing and submit them before the relevant period ends. Check the current rules at tarion.com.

Keep records: they support value

Maintenance does not guarantee a higher price, but a tidy file of receipts, inspection reports and permits gives buyers confidence. If you want to increase home value in Toronto, start by showing that the roof, drainage, mechanical systems and basement have been looked after. As a registered real estate salesperson with a commercial and investment background, Nima Nojavan-Kheiraddin looks at those records the way an investor would: what has been done, what is documented and what could cost money next.

If you are planning to sell or buy in North York or elsewhere in Toronto, you can find more practical guidance at nima.house.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I do my fall home maintenance in Ontario?

Aim to finish exterior tasks, such as gutters, grading and outdoor taps, after the leaves fall and before the ground freezes. Furnace service and alarm tests are best done before regular heating begins.

Do I need a permit for home repairs in Toronto?

It depends on the work. Structural changes, decks, additions and some plumbing, electrical and HVAC work commonly require permits, while cosmetic work usually does not. Confirm with Toronto Building before starting.

Does the Tarion warranty cover water damage?

For eligible new homes, it can cover water penetration and certain defects during specific warranty periods. Coverage has conditions and deadlines, so review your warranty documents and Tarion's current guidance, and ask your lawyer if you are unsure.

Filed under Home ownership

This article is general information, not legal, tax, financial or mortgage advice. Rules and programs change; confirm details with your lawyer, accountant or lender before relying on them. This material is not intended to solicit properties already listed for sale, individuals under contract with another brokerage, or self-represented parties, as outlined by RECO guidelines.

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