Toronto winters are brutal on homes. Between freeze-thaw cycles, ice dams, road salt, and months of accumulated grime, your house takes a beating from November to March. Spring is when you assess the damage and get ahead of problems before they become expensive.
Here are the 15 essential tasks every GTA homeowner should complete between April and June — roughly in order of priority.
Exterior — The First Walk-Around
Start with a slow walk around the entire perimeter of your home. Bring your phone to take photos of anything that looks off.
1
Clean gutters and downspouts. Winter debris (leaves, shingle grit, ice residue) blocks water flow. Clogged gutters cause foundation damage, basement flooding, and fascia rot. Flush downspouts with a garden hose to confirm they're clear. Cost to hire: $150–$300.
2
Inspect the roof from the ground. Look for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Check flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. If you see damage, call a roofer — don't climb up yourself. Toronto's freeze-thaw cycles are the #1 cause of shingle failure.
3
Check the foundation. Look for new cracks (hairline cracks are normal; anything wider than a pencil should be inspected). Check for water staining, efflorescence (white mineral deposits), or signs of shifting. Catching foundation issues early saves thousands.
4
Clean exterior windows. Winter leaves a film of salt spray, mineral deposits, and road grime on every window. Professional cleaning removes all of it plus restores frames, sills, and tracks. This alone makes your home look freshly renovated. Cost to hire: $175–$500.
5
Pressure wash the driveway, walkways, and patio. Road salt and sand leave white stains that don't come off with rain. Mould and algae start growing in April. Pressure washing removes everything and prevents slip hazards. Cost to hire: $200–$400.
💡 Save time and money: Bundle items 1, 4, and 5 in a single visit from a home services company. Most offer 10% off combo services. At Mantle, we do all three — get a free quote.
Structural & Systems
6
Test your sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit. It should turn on, pump the water out, and shut off. If it doesn't, fix or replace it before the spring thaw floods your basement. Test the backup battery too.
7
Replace HVAC filters and book AC servicing. Your furnace filter has been working overtime all winter. Replace it now. Book your AC tune-up for May before the summer rush — HVAC companies fill up fast. Annual servicing extends the life of your unit by years.
8
Check weather stripping and caulking. Inspect around all doors and windows. Cracked or peeling caulking lets in water, insects, and drafts. Re-caulk any gaps — a $5 tube of caulk can save hundreds in energy costs.
9
Reconnect outdoor hoses and check for leaks. Turn on each outdoor faucet slowly. If water sprays from the pipe inside (a sign of a frozen/burst pipe), shut off the water and call a plumber immediately. Check hose bibs for drips.
Yard & Landscaping
10
Rake and de-thatch the lawn. Remove dead grass and debris that smothers new growth. Overseed bare patches. Apply spring fertilizer once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 5°C (usually mid-April in Toronto).
11
Trim trees and shrubs away from the house. Cut back any branches within 2 feet of the roof, siding, or windows. Overhanging branches drop debris into gutters and can damage shingles in windstorms. Check for dead branches that could fall.
12
Clean and inspect the deck. Sweep debris, check for loose boards, popped nails, and rot. Pressure wash the surface. Apply sealant or stain if it's been more than 2 years. A neglected deck becomes a safety hazard fast.
Safety & Prep
13
Test smoke detectors and CO detectors. Replace batteries even if they're not dead. Test every unit. Replace any detector older than 10 years (check the manufacture date on the back). This takes 10 minutes and could save your family.
14
Clean dryer vents. Lint buildup in dryer vents is a leading cause of house fires. Disconnect the vent hose, vacuum it out, and check the exterior vent flap for blockages. Do this at least once a year.
15
Review your home insurance. Call your provider and confirm your coverage is adequate. Update for any renovations or additions from the past year. Check your deductible. Spring is a good time since many policies renew in the spring/summer.
The Priority Order
If you can only do 5 things this spring, do these:
- Gutters — prevents the most expensive damage (foundation, basement)
- Sump pump test — 2 minutes that prevents a flooded basement
- Roof inspection — catch shingle damage before the next rainstorm
- Windows — biggest visible improvement for the lowest cost
- HVAC filter — cheapest task on the list, biggest quality-of-life impact
💡 Print this list. Tape it to your fridge. Check off one task every weekend between April and June. By Canada Day, your home will be in the best shape it's been in all year.
What Mantle Handles for You
We take care of items 1, 4, 5, and 12 — gutters, windows, driveways, and decks. One call, one visit, and the biggest curb-appeal items are checked off your list.
Get your spring cleaning booked
Free estimates for window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and pressure washing across the GTA.
Get Free EstimateCall (416) 206-3274