Homeownership
Calgary and Airdrie winters are hard on a house in a particular way: deep cold, then a chinook, then deep cold again. What to do before the first hard freeze, through the season, and what the sidewalk rules actually say.
The short answer. Before the first hard freeze, disconnect garden hoses, service the furnace and change the filter, and clear the gutters and downspouts. Through the winter, keep furnace and hot water tank vents clear of snow, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and clear the sidewalk within 24 hours after the snow stops, which both Calgary and Airdrie require.
Most winter damage is not caused by one big storm. It is caused by water ending up somewhere it should not be, then freezing. Nearly everything on this list is about keeping water moving, or keeping it out.
01. Before The First Hard Freeze.
- Disconnect garden hoses. On older homes with a separate shutoff inside, turn off and drain the outdoor tap
- Have the underground sprinkler system blown out, if you have one
- Clean the gutters and make sure every downspout carries water well away from the foundation
- Book a furnace service and put in a new filter
- Clear leaves out of window wells and check the covers
- Seal gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulking
- Have shovels, sand or ice melt ready before the first snowfall, not after
02. Chinooks, Ice Dams And Freeze Thaw.
A chinook can lift the temperature dramatically in a day. Snow on the roof melts, runs down to the eaves, which are colder, and freezes again. Repeat that a few times and you get an ice dam: a ridge of ice that holds meltwater on the roof, where it can work back under the shingles.
The long term fix is a cold roof: enough attic insulation and ventilation that heat from the house is not melting the snow from underneath. In the short term, keep gutters and downspouts clear so meltwater has somewhere to go, and keep shovelled snow piles away from the foundation.
Tara’s tip · Stay off the roof
Do not chip at ice dams or climb onto an icy roof. If you see ice building at the eaves or water stains on a ceiling, call a roofer.
03. Heat, Air And The Vents Outside.
Check the furnace filter monthly through the heating season and change it as your furnace manufacturer recommends. A clogged filter makes the furnace work harder for less heat.
Look at your outside vents after every snowfall. High efficiency furnaces, and many hot water tanks, vent through white plastic pipes in an outside wall. Snow drifts and frost can block them, and a blocked vent can shut the furnace off. Clear them gently by hand. If frost keeps building, call a heating contractor.
Watch the windows in a cold snap. Heavy condensation or frost on the inside of the glass usually means the air is too humid for the temperature outside. Turn the humidifier down and run your bathroom fans or HRV.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Winter is when the furnace, the fireplace and the hot water tank all run hardest. Test the alarms and replace batteries as needed.
04. Snow, Ice And Your Sidewalk.
In Calgary, the Street Bylaw requires the public sidewalk next to your property to be cleared within 24 hours after snowfall ends, down to the bare surface. The occupant can be fined $250 for a first offence, $500 for a second and $750 for a third. If a notice is ignored, the City can clear it and invoice the owner a minimum of $150 plus GST and an administration fee, and an unpaid invoice is added to the property tax.
You may move snow from the sidewalk onto the road, but not snow from your own driveway or property. And as a courtesy, keep piles off storm drains, crosswalks and your neighbour’s yard.
In Airdrie, residents also have 24 hours after snowfall stops to clear the sidewalks in front of and beside their property.
Tara’s tip · New concrete
If your driveway or walk was poured in the last year, ask your builder or contractor before using ice melt on it. Sand gives you grip without the risk.
05. If A Pipe Freezes.
Know where your main water shutoff is before you need it. It is usually where the water line enters the house, near the meter. If a pipe bursts, that valve is the first thing you will reach for.
In a deep cold snap, open the cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls so warm air reaches the pipes, and keep the heat on if you travel, with someone checking the house. Never thaw a pipe with an open flame. Call a plumber.
06. Selling This Winter?
Homes sell in winter too, and buyers who come out in January are usually serious. Clear, well lit walks and a warm house matter more than any staging. Our Home Seller Checklist covers the rest, and we will tell you what your home is worth today, whatever the season.
Most winter damage starts with water ending up somewhere it should not be, then freezing.
Common Questions.
How soon do I have to clear my sidewalk in Calgary?
Within 24 hours after the snow stops falling, down to the bare surface, on the public sidewalk next to your property. The City of Calgary can fine the occupant $250 for a first offence, or clear it and bill the owner a minimum of $150 plus GST and an administration fee.
What is the sidewalk rule in Airdrie?
Airdrie also gives residents 24 hours after snowfall stops to clear the sidewalks in front of and beside their property.
Why do Calgary roofs get ice dams?
Chinooks. A warm spell melts snow on the roof, the water runs down to the colder eaves and freezes again, and the ice builds into a dam that can push water back under the shingles. Good attic insulation and ventilation, and clear gutters and downspouts, are the long term fix.
Should I clear snow away from my furnace vents?
Yes. High efficiency furnaces, and many hot water tanks, vent through plastic pipes in an outside wall. Keep the intake and exhaust clear of snow and ice after every snowfall and drift. If frost keeps building on them, call a heating contractor.
Do I need to shut off my outdoor tap for winter?
Disconnect your garden hose before the first hard freeze, because a hose left on can trap water and freeze even a frost free tap. If your home has an older tap with a separate shutoff inside, turn it off and drain the tap.
Need A Trade You Can Trust?
We keep a list of the furnace, roofing, plumbing and other trades our own clients use. Ask us for it any time. Call or text 403.809.4639.
Calgary bylaw details checked against the City of Calgary on 14 October 2026; Airdrie’s 24 hour rule as reported by DiscoverAirdrie. Follow your furnace, roof and appliance manufacturers’ instructions, and use a licensed contractor for gas, electrical and roof work. This post is general information, not professional advice for your home.