Keep your outdoor eavestroughs (roof gutters) and drainage systems clean and clear of leaves, debris and animal nests.
Direct downspouts 3 metres away from your home, and slope your yard away from the foundation.
If necessary, install a sump pump.
Install a backwater valve on your home’s sewer line.
Whenever possible, use braided steel hoses to connect your appliances to your home’s water supply.
Be extremely careful when supplying fridges with water.
Check your windows and doors for worn seals, and maintain and re-caulk them as needed.
Seal cracks in your foundation walls and basement floor.
During the winter, shut off and drain all plumbing lines that pass through an unheated portion of your dwelling, and all lines that deliver water to the outside.
Find the location of your home’s main shutoff valve.