---
title: "How to Winterize Your Home in the Tri-Cities: Hose Bibs, Gutters, Salt and Storm Prep"
url: https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/winterize-your-home-tri-cities-checklist/
date: 2026-11-10
author: Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BCFSA Licence #187645), Royal LePage Elite West
---

November 10, 2026 · For Homeowners · Tri-Cities

# How to Winterize Your Home in the Tri-Cities: Hose Bibs, Gutters, Salt and Storm Prep

A weekend checklist for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and Maple Ridge homeowners. Shut off and drain the outside taps, clear the gutters and the catch basin, service the furnace, stock up on salt before the first snow, and know your city's sidewalk rules. It costs a weekend and a few bags of salt. A burst pipe or a flooded basement costs a lot more.

By **Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BCFSA Licence #187645)** · 47+ year Tri-Cities resident · Helping Tri-Cities families move up
Royal LePage Elite West

Quick Answer

To get a Tri-Cities home ready for winter: **disconnect your garden hoses, shut off the outside taps from inside and drain them**. Clean the **gutters and downspouts** once the leaves are down, and clear the **catch basin** in front of your home. Have your **furnace, fireplace or heat pump serviced**, and test your **smoke and carbon monoxide alarms**. Insulate pipes in the garage and crawl space. **Buy salt or ice melt, a good shovel and grit before the first snowfall**, because the stores run short when the forecast turns. Pack a **72-hour kit** for power outages. And know your city's rule: **Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge expect sidewalks cleared by 10 a.m.**, Coquitlam requires sidewalks to be cleared within 10 hours of a snowfall, and Port Moody's deadline depends on your street.

[Jump to the printable checklist](#checklist)
[What's my home worth? Free Equity Map →](https://soldbycraig.ca/home-evaluation/)

## Sidewalk snow rules in the Tri-Cities and Maple Ridge

This is the one part of winter prep that comes with a bylaw. In each of these cities, clearing the public sidewalk next to your property is the owner's or occupant's job, not the city's. Here's what each city says:

| City | When the sidewalk must be clear | What the city says about fines |
|---|---|---|
| **Coquitlam** | Within 10 hours after a snowfall, with a path wide enough for a stroller or wheelchair | Not stated on the City's FAQ page |
| **Port Coquitlam** | By 10 a.m. after a snowfall | $150 fine |
| **Port Moody** | By 10 a.m. on a Priority Pedestrian Route, or within 24 hours on other streets. Fire hydrants must be cleared too. | Fines start at $100 |
| **Maple Ridge** | As soon as possible, and no later than 10 a.m. | Refers residents to the bylaw |

From each city's own website, read November 9, 2026. Links are in the sources at the end. Bylaws change, so check your city's snow page before the first storm.

If you're a senior or have a disability and can't clear your own walk, you can apply to Coquitlam's [Snow Angels](https://www.coquitlam.ca/363/Snow-Angels) program, which tries to pair eligible residents with volunteers. A volunteer isn't guaranteed, so line up a backup too. And if you have a neighbour who's away or unwell, clearing their stretch of sidewalk is one of the nicest things you can do on a snow day.

- [Roof, moss and attic](#roof)

- [Gutters](#gutters)

- [Downspouts](#gutters)

- [Outdoor taps and hose bibs](#hose-bibs)

- [Furnace and CO alarms](#heating)

- [Pipes in the garage](#pipes)

- [Salt, grit and a shovel](#salt)

- [Catch basin at the curb](#gutters)

The winter checklist, step by step

- [Hose bibs and outdoor taps](#hose-bibs)

- [Gutters, downspouts and the catch basin](#gutters)

- [Roof, moss and attic](#roof)

- [Furnace, fireplace and heat pump](#heating)

- [Pipes inside the house](#pipes)

- [Stock up: salt, grit and shovels](#salt)

- [Storms and power outages](#outages)

- [Away for the holidays](#away)

- [Condo and townhouse owners](#strata)

- [Selling in winter or spring](#selling)

- [The printable checklist](#checklist)

Our winters are mild compared with most of Canada, and that's exactly why they catch people out. We get long stretches of rain, then a cold snap, then a few days of snow that the whole region isn't quite ready for. The higher neighbourhoods, like [Burke Mountain](https://soldbycraig.ca/burke-mountain/), [Westwood Plateau](https://soldbycraig.ca/westwood-plateau/) and [Heritage Mountain](https://soldbycraig.ca/heritage-mountain-homes/), can have snow and ice on the driveway when it's only raining down by the river. The winter problems that cost homeowners the most usually involve water: a frozen outside tap that splits, an overflowing gutter, a blocked drain. Almost all of it can be prevented in a weekend.

## 01. Hose bibs and outdoor taps

Outdoor taps (hose bibs) are usually the first thing on a house to freeze, and a split pipe inside the wall can leak for days before anyone notices. Do this before the first frost:

- **Disconnect every garden hose.** A hose left attached traps water in the tap, and that water can freeze and crack the pipe, even on a "frost-free" tap.

- **Find the shut-off valve inside the house** for each outdoor tap (often in the basement, crawl space, garage or a utility room), and turn it off.

- **Open the outside tap to drain it**, and leave it open so any leftover water has somewhere to go.

- **Add an insulated tap cover**. They cost a few dollars at any hardware store and help on exposed walls.

- **Have the irrigation system blown out** if you have one. Sprinkler lines and backflow valves hold water and crack in a hard freeze.

- **Know where your main water shut-off is**, and make sure everyone in the house can find it. If a pipe bursts, every minute counts.

One more thing from Port Coquitlam's winter advice that applies everywhere: the shut-off at the property line (the "curb stop") belongs to the city. If you need the water turned off at the street, call the city rather than doing it yourself. In Port Coquitlam, if a resident or plumber damages the curb stop, they can be charged for the repair.

## 02. Gutters, downspouts and the catch basin

We have a lot of mature trees in the Tri-Cities, and by mid-November most of their leaves are in somebody's gutter. When gutters overflow, the water lands right beside the foundation, which is the last place you want it.

- **Clean the gutters after the leaves are down**, not before. If you can't do it safely from a ladder, hire it out. A fall costs more than a gutter cleaning.

- **Check the downspouts** with a bucket of water, or watch them in the next heavy rain, and make sure they carry water well away from the house.

- **Check the downspout connections at the ground.** On many homes they run into an underground drain. If water is pooling there in a heavy rain, the drain may be blocked.

- **Clear the catch basin (storm drain) in front of your home** during heavy rain and wind. Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam both ask residents to do this, and Coquitlam lets you [adopt a catch basin](https://www.coquitlam.ca/354/Winter-Wise-Program) on its map.

- **Look at the yard after a big rain.** Water that pools against the house or the window wells is telling you something.

## 03. Roof, moss and attic

Our wet climate grows moss on almost every roof that's shaded by trees. Moss holds water against the shingles and lifts their edges, and that shortens the life of the roof.

- **Look at the roof from the ground**, with binoculars if you have them. Watch for missing or lifted shingles, heavy moss and damaged flashing around chimneys and vents.

- **Don't pressure-wash the roof.** It can strip the granules off asphalt shingles. A roofer can advise you on safe moss treatment.

- **Check the attic** on a cold morning, if you can get into it safely. The Insurance Bureau of Canada suggests looking for frost build-up, which can point to a ventilation or insulation problem.

- **Watch the trees.** Big branches over the roof or driveway are a risk in a windstorm. Never trim anything near a power line yourself. That's a job for a professional.

## 04. Furnace, fireplace and heat pump

Technical Safety BC recommends having **every home heating appliance serviced once a year**, whatever fuel it uses, to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Book it in the fall, before the first cold snap, when contractors are less busy.

- **Have the furnace or boiler serviced** by a licensed contractor, and check the filter monthly through the heating season. Change it as the manufacturer recommends.

- **Have gas fireplaces checked**, and wood-burning chimneys swept, before you use them.

- **Heat pump owners:** keep leaves, snow and ice clear of the outdoor unit so air can flow, and follow your installer's maintenance schedule.

- **Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.** The Province advises testing CO alarms at least once a month and having at least one on each level of your home and near the bedrooms.

- **If a CO alarm goes off, get everyone outside.** Call 911 from outside if anyone has symptoms. If no one does, call the fire department or a licensed gas contractor from outside. Never ignore an alarm. If you ever smell gas, leave first and call from outside.

## 05. Pipes inside the house

Pipes freeze where the heat doesn't reach: garages, crawl spaces, attics and outside walls. Port Coquitlam's advice for a cold snap is a good list for any home:

- **Insulate exposed pipes** in the garage, crawl space and along outside walls. Foam pipe insulation is cheap and easy to put on.

- **Keep the garage door closed** if water lines run through the garage.

- **Open the cabinet doors** under kitchen, bathroom and laundry sinks on very cold nights so warm air reaches the pipes.

- **In a deep freeze, let a pencil-thin stream of water run** from a tap until temperatures return to normal, and keep the drain clear.

- **If a pipe does freeze**, open the tap first, then warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, heating pad or warm towels. Never use an open flame.

Not sure where your pipes run or how old your plumbing is? If you're buying, this is one of the questions worth asking your inspector. My guide to [the home inspections you actually need in B.C.](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/home-inspections-you-actually-need-bc/) covers what a general inspection does and doesn't look at.

## 06. Stock up now: salt, grit and shovels

Every year it's the same story. The forecast calls for snow, and by the next morning the hardware stores are out of salt and shovels. Buy what you need in November, store it by the door, and you're ready when it comes.

**Salt or ice melt**A couple of bags is plenty for most driveways. Store them somewhere dry, in a bin with a lid.

**Sand or grit**Gives grip when it's too cold for salt to work well, and on steps where you'd rather not use salt.

**A real snow shovel**A wide pusher for the driveway, plus a narrower one for steps. Wet coastal snow is heavy, so push it instead of lifting it where you can.

**An ice chopper or scraper**For the packed ice that forms where cars have driven over the snow.

**Boots with grip**Ice cleats that slip over your boots make the morning walk to the car much safer on our hills.

**Car basics**A brush, a scraper and a bag of grit in the trunk.

**Go easy on the salt.** Coquitlam recommends about 20 grams per square metre, roughly **one handful**, put down before the snow or frost arrives. The City notes that extra salt washes into the storm drains and harms aquatic life in our creeks. Salt is also hard on concrete, plants and pets' paws. It works best before the snow, not on top of a foot of it. Shovel first, then salt.

**Where to put the snow.** Pile it on your own property, not in the street, where the plow will push it straight back into your driveway. Coquitlam asks residents to put it toward the back of the driveway or on the right side as you face the road. Port Coquitlam says the same thing from the other direction: the left side as you face your home. Keep fire hydrants clear too. In Port Moody, that's required.

**Park off the street when snow is forecast** so the plows can get through. Coquitlam asks this of every household, including secondary suites.

## 07. Storms and power outages

Fall and winter windstorms can knock the power out for hours, sometimes longer. BC Hydro recommends a **72-hour emergency kit** for every household. Here's what goes in it:

- **Water:** at least 2 litres per person, per day, for three days.

- Flashlights and extra batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

- A charged power bank for your phone, and a first-aid kit with any prescriptions you need.

- Some cash in small bills, spare house and car keys, and copies of important documents.

- Warm clothes and blankets, and supplies for your pets.

When the power goes out, BC Hydro says to check its outage map first, then report it online or by phone at [1-800-224-9376](tel:18002249376) (or *49376 from a cell phone). Turn off appliances and electronics so they aren't damaged when the power comes back. Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A full fridge keeps food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer keeps food frozen for up to 48 hours (about 24 hours if it's half full).

**Two safety rules:** If you see a downed power line, **stay back at least 10 metres** (about the length of a bus) and call 911. And from the Province's carbon monoxide guidance: never run a generator, barbecue or camp stove indoors, in the garage or in any enclosed space, even with the garage door open.

## 08. Away for the holidays?

A lot of families travel over the holidays, which is exactly when a cold snap tends to hit. Before you go:

- **Leave the heat on.** Turning it right down to save money is a false saving if a pipe freezes.

- **Ask someone you trust to check the house** regularly, inside and out.

- **Consider turning the water off at the main** for a longer trip, and know how to turn it back on.

- **Read your home insurance policy before you leave.** The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that most policies list how often a home must be checked while you're away, and that most exclude frozen-pipe and water damage when a home is vacant.

Who Craig sends clients to · Home & auto insurance

Check your coverage before the first cold snap

Water damage, a frozen pipe while you're away, or a tree on the roof are exactly the claims where the fine print matters. Ask what your policy covers, what your deductible is, and what it expects of you if you travel. The time to find out is before winter, not after.

When clients ask who to call for **home and auto insurance**, Craig refers them to **Anna Lam**, Account Executive at Navacord Insurance Services West Inc. in Vancouver. Navacord is an insurance brokerage, so Anna can compare coverage across insurers rather than quoting a single company. Mention Craig sent you.

[Mobile 604.314.8719](tel:+16043148719)
[Office 1-866-674-2816 ext. 111272](tel:+18666742816,111272)
[anna.lam@navacord.com](mailto:anna.lam@navacord.com?subject=Insurance%20quote%20%E2%80%94%20referred%20by%20Craig%20Johnston)
[navacord.com](https://www.navacord.com/)

Navacord Insurance Services West Inc., 2–1855 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 3G9. Craig uses Anna for his own insurance and receives no referral fee. Navacord is an independent business, not part of Craig’s brokerage. Craig is a REALTOR®, not an insurance agent; coverage advice and quotes come from Anna.

## 09. Condo and townhouse owners

If you own in a strata, some of this list belongs to the strata corporation and some of it belongs to you. Gutters, roofs and common sidewalks are usually the strata's job. What happens inside your unit is usually yours. Your bylaws and your strata's insurance set out exactly where the line sits.

- **Keep the heat on in your unit**, even when you're away, so pipes in shared walls don't freeze.

- **Clear the drain on your balcony or patio** so melting snow has somewhere to go.

- **Unhook the hose** on a townhouse patio tap, and ask your property manager whether the outside taps are shut off for the season.

- **Report leaks to the property manager right away.** In a strata, a small leak can become a claim on several units, and the strata deductible can be large.

Buying a condo or townhouse this winter? Leaks, water claims and the size of the insurance deductible are all things I look for when I [review strata documents](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/how-i-review-strata-documents-coquitlam-buyers-2026/) for my buyers.

## 10. Selling this winter or in the spring?

A well-kept home shows it. When a buyer's inspector walks the property, gutters, roof, drainage, the furnace and the plumbing are on the list. A clean gutter and a furnace service sticker don't sell a house on their own, but a home that has clearly been looked after gives buyers confidence, and confidence is what keeps an offer strong through the subject period.

- **Keep your receipts and dates** for the roof, furnace, hot water tank, gutters and any repairs. Buyers ask, and having the answers ready helps.

- **Fix the small things now.** A dripping tap or a loose downspout is cheaper to fix before listing than to negotiate over later.

- **Think about the photos early.** I time listing photography for the best light and season, sometimes months ahead. I'll shoot a home in November for a March listing, and every view home gets a twilight photo.

If you're planning a spring sale, the winter months are the best time to get ready. My post on [how I list a home](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/how-i-list-a-home-tri-cities/) walks through the whole process, and [this guide to pre-listing inspections](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/pre-listing-home-inspection-coquitlam-seller-guide/) explains when it's worth getting your own inspection first.

Thinking about a move in 2027? Start with what your home is worth today.

[Get my 24-hour Equity Map →](https://soldbycraig.ca/home-evaluation/)
[Book a 20-min strategy call](https://soldbycraig.ca/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/)

## The printable winter checklist

Screenshot this or print it, and work through it over a weekend in November.

Outside

- Disconnect and store garden hoses

- Shut off outdoor taps from inside, then drain them

- Blow out the irrigation system

- Clean gutters and flush downspouts

- Clear the catch basin out front

- Look over the roof and trim branches near the house

- Put away or cover patio furniture and the barbecue

Inside

- Book the furnace, fireplace or heat pump service

- Change the furnace filter

- Test smoke and CO alarms

- Insulate pipes in the garage and crawl space

- Find the main water shut-off and label it

- Check your home insurance before you travel

Stock up

- Bags of salt or ice melt, in a dry, lidded bin

- Sand or grit for steps and steep spots

- A snow pusher and a smaller shovel

- An ice chopper and ice cleats for boots

- A 72-hour kit: water, flashlights, batteries, radio, power bank

- A brush, scraper and grit for the car

## Frequently asked questions

### When should I shut off my outdoor taps in the Tri-Cities?

Before the first hard frost, which in most years means sometime in November. Disconnect the garden hose, turn off the tap's shut-off valve inside the house, then open the outside tap to drain it. Homes on Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau and Heritage Mountain sit higher and can freeze sooner than homes near the river, so don't wait for the first snow.

### Do frost-free hose bibs still need to be winterized?

Yes, at least partly. A frost-free tap is designed to drain itself, but only if the hose is disconnected. A hose left attached traps water in the tap, and that water can freeze and crack the pipe inside the wall. Always take the hose off for the winter.

### How soon do I have to clear the sidewalk after it snows?

It depends on your city. Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge expect sidewalks cleared by 10 a.m. after a snowfall, and Port Coquitlam lists a $150 fine. Coquitlam requires sidewalks to be cleared within 10 hours of a snowfall. Port Moody requires clearing by 10 a.m. on Priority Pedestrian Routes and within 24 hours on other streets, with fines starting at $100. Check your city's snow page for the current rules.

### How much salt should I put on my driveway?

Less than most people use. Coquitlam recommends about 20 grams per square metre, roughly one handful, put down before the snow or frost arrives. Extra salt ends up in the storm drains and harms fish in local creeks, and it's hard on concrete, plants and pets' paws. Shovel first, then salt, and use sand or grit for extra grip.

### How often should my furnace be serviced?

Once a year. Technical Safety BC recommends having all home heating appliances serviced annually, whatever fuel they use, to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Book it in the fall, before contractors get busy with the first cold snap, and change the filter regularly through the heating season.

### What should be in a winter power-outage kit?

BC Hydro recommends a 72-hour kit with at least 2 litres of water per person per day for three days, flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a phone power bank, a first-aid kit and medications, cash in small bills, spare keys, copies of important documents, and warm clothing and blankets. Include supplies for your pets.

### Will my home insurance cover a frozen pipe if I'm away over the holidays?

It depends on your policy. The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that most policies say how often a home must be checked while you're away, and most exclude frozen-pipe and water damage when a home is vacant. Leave the heat on, have someone check the house regularly, and read your policy or call your insurance broker before you travel.

### Does winter maintenance matter if I'm selling in the spring?

Yes. A buyer's inspector will look at the roof, gutters, drainage, heating and plumbing, and a home that has clearly been looked after gives buyers confidence through the subject period. Keep receipts and service dates, fix small problems before you list, and plan your listing photos early. Winter is a good time to get ready for a spring sale.

## Sources & methodology

The bylaw deadlines, fines and safety figures in this guide come from the public sources below, each checked on November 9, 2026. The home-care advice is general. For anything structural, electrical, gas or roofing, use a licensed professional.

- **City of Coquitlam** — [Who is responsible for clearing sidewalks?](https://www.coquitlam.ca/Faq.aspx?QID=180), [where to put snow](https://coquitlam.ca/Faq.aspx?QID=183), the [Winter Wise program](https://www.coquitlam.ca/354/Winter-Wise-Program) (salt rate, catch basins, parking) and [Snow Angels](https://www.coquitlam.ca/363/Snow-Angels).

- **City of Port Coquitlam** — [Be Winter Ready As Temperatures Drop](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/node/5544) (Dec. 1, 2025) and [Prevent Frozen Water Pipes](https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/node/5795) (Jan. 22, 2026).

- **City of Port Moody** — [Snow is in the forecast: keep roads, sidewalks and hydrants clear](https://www.portmoody.ca/news-and-notices/posts/snow-is-in-the-forecast-let-s-work-together-to-keep-roads-sidewalks-and-hydrants-clear/) (Jan. 16, 2024).

- **City of Maple Ridge** — [Required Self-Clearing](https://mapleridge.ca/1368) (Highway and Traffic Bylaw 6704-2009, section 25.0).

- **Technical Safety BC** — [Annual servicing for gas appliances](https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/regulatory-resources/regulatory-notices/information-bulletin-annual-servicing-gas-appliances).

- **Province of British Columbia** — [Carbon monoxide awareness](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/FireSafety/carbonmonoxideawareness).

- **BC Hydro** — [Storm season is coming](https://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2026/storm-season-is-coming.html) (Aug. 31, 2026) and [Electrical Safety Week](https://www.bchydro.com/news/press_centre/news_releases/2025/electrical-safety-week.html) (downed lines).

- **Insurance Bureau of Canada** — [winter storm tips news release](https://www.insurance-canada.ca/2026/02/06/ibc-winter-storm-tips-protect-property/) (Jan. 23, 2026, via Insurance-Canada.ca).

Last reviewed November 9, 2026. General information only; not legal, insurance or professional trade advice.

Signed: Craig Johnston, REALTOR® (BCFSA Licence #187645) · Royal LePage Elite West · Helping Tri-Cities families move up

## Curious what your home is worth this winter?

All that upkeep protects your biggest asset. If you've wondered what it's worth today, tell me where you live and roughly when you might move. I'll send you a written Equity Map within 24 hours: a likely sale range based on comparable sales, and what you'd net after costs. No obligation and no listing pitch. If it helps, we'll follow it with a 20-minute call about the plan.

[Book a Strategy Call](https://soldbycraig.ca/book-a-strategy-call-with-craig-johnston/)
[How I sell homes](https://soldbycraig.ca/sell-your-home/)

Direct: [604-202-6092](tel:+16042026092) · [Craig@SoldByCraig.ca](mailto:Craig@SoldByCraig.ca)

## Related reading

- [The home inspections you actually need in B.C.General, sewer scope, oil tank, radon and when each makes sense](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/home-inspections-you-actually-need-bc/)

- [Tankless vs. hot water tankCosts, lifespan and what fits a Tri-Cities home](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/tankless-vs-hot-water-tank-tri-cities-2026/)

- [Buying an older Heritage Mountain homeRoofs, drainage and the systems to check first](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/buying-an-older-heritage-mountain-home-what-to-inspect/)

- [How I list a homeMy listing process, from the first call to the sold sign](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/how-i-list-a-home-tri-cities/)

- [Pre-listing home inspectionsWhen it's worth inspecting your own home before you sell](https://soldbycraig.ca/blog/pre-listing-home-inspection-coquitlam-seller-guide/)

- [Tri-Cities market reportsMonthly prices and sales for your area](https://soldbycraig.ca/market-reports/)