In Windsor-Essex, January has a funny way of lulling homeowners into a false sense of security. We do not always get the deep-freeze that Northern Ontario does, so people relax. Then a sharp cold snap hits, the wind picks up off the river, and suddenly it is not “cozy winter vibes” anymore. It is “why is the basement ceiling dripping” or “why do I have a headache every morning.”
This week’s blog is a simple, home-focused reset you can do in about 30 minutes. No market stats. Just practical homeownership.
The two winter problems that show up without warning
1) Frozen pipes and burst lines
A pipe does not have to freeze solid for trouble to start. If water flow is restricted and pressure builds, you can end up with a crack that only reveals itself once things thaw.
2) Carbon monoxide risk in real life settings
Windsor homes often have at least one of these: an attached garage, a fuel-burning appliance, or a fireplace. Those are normal features. They just require the right safety setup and habits. Windsor Fire & Rescue has clear guidance on where alarms should be installed, and Ontario has rules that apply across the province.
The 30-minute Windsor winter checklist
Step 1: Do the “cold air hunt” (8 minutes)
Your goal is to stop cold air from reaching plumbing and to reduce drafts that make the furnace work harder.
Walk the perimeter of your home and look for:
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Gaps around hose bibs and exterior faucets
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Foundation cracks or openings where pipes or cables enter the house
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Drafty basement windows or older sliding windows
If you feel cold air, seal it. Even a basic temporary seal is better than ignoring it. ENWIN specifically calls out checking for openings that let cold air in, because those are the spots where pipes freeze first.
Quick win: In older areas like Walkerville or parts of Sandwich where basements and rim joists can be drafty, this one step can be the difference between “fine all winter” and “surprise plumbing bill.”
Step 2: Protect the pipes most Windsor homes forget (10 minutes)
These are the usual culprits:
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Pipes along exterior walls
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Pipes in uninsulated basements or crawlspaces
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Pipes near a garage wall or near the front hose bib line
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Lines near a poorly sealed cold room or cantilever
Do this:
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Remove and store outdoor hoses and make sure the inside shutoff to outdoor taps is closed if your home has one, then drain the exterior tap. ENWIN recommends this as a core prevention step.
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Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks that sit on exterior walls during cold snaps (let warm air circulate).
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Keep indoor heat consistent overnight. The “turn it way down at night” habit can backfire in cold snaps if it drops pipe-area temps too far.
Contrarian but smart: If you have a finished basement ceiling, you may not notice freezing risk until it is too late. Consider a simple leak detector in the mechanical room or under the main floor bathroom. If it ever alerts you, you will be glad you had it.
Step 3: Do a power-outage mini plan (7 minutes)
Windsor does get wind events and ice that can lead to outages. The goal is not to panic, it is to avoid the mistakes that cause damage or safety risk.
Two quick moves:
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Put a flashlight where you can find it instantly. The City of Windsor specifically warns against candles during outages because of fire risk.
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Know what to do when the power goes out and what to expect. ENWIN has a simple guide that covers preparedness and safe actions during outages.
Food safety matters too. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has guidance for keeping food safe during extended outages.
Step 4: Carbon monoxide check that actually matches the rules (5 minutes)
CO safety is not just “have a detector somewhere.” Placement matters.
Here is the practical version:
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Make sure CO alarms are installed adjacent to sleeping areas and, as of January 1, 2026, Windsor Fire notes alarms should be on every level of the home in the situations where CO alarms are required.
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If your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage, review Ontario’s guidance to confirm what applies to your setup.
If you only do one thing this week, do this: test your CO alarms and replace batteries if needed. It is a tiny action with huge upside.
Tech-forward upgrades that make sense for Windsor homes
If you want to be proactive beyond the checklist, these are “small cost, big protection” moves:
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Smart leak sensors
Put them near the water heater, under a main floor bathroom, and near the basement floor drain. They catch the small leak before it becomes drywall, flooring, and mold. -
Smart thermostat with freeze protection habits
Not just for comfort. A consistent temperature strategy reduces pipe risk during cold snaps. -
A simple water shutoff plan
Every homeowner should know where the main shutoff is. In a true emergency, that knowledge is worth more than any gadget.
A simple rule of thumb
If your home is older, has an attached garage, has a basement that gets cold, or you travel even for a weekend in winter, treat this checklist like brushing your teeth. Routine, quick, preventative.
The Dan Gemus Real Estate Team serves all of Windsor and Essex County. One thing we love about Windsor-Essex is how different our neighbourhoods and housing styles are. Those differences matter in real life homeownership, not just when you buy or sell. Our team is in homes every week, which gives us a grounded sense of what issues show up most often in certain types of properties and what upgrades tend to pay off in comfort and reliability. We share tips like these because good information helps people feel confident in their home, whether they plan to move soon or stay put for years. If you have questions about the market values, or need a connection in Windsor-Essex, send us a message.
The blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to solicit those currently under contract with another Brokerage. Nor is it intended to replace legal, financial, accounting or environmental advice.
