Prepare Your Home and Yard for Winter: Tips from the City of Mississauga

Mississauga, ON – As winter approaches, residents in Mississauga are reminded to prepare their homes and yards to prevent water damage and minimize pollution. The City encourages everyone to tackle their fall maintenance tasks with an eye toward protecting the environment.

Clear Eavestroughs and Downspouts
Keeping eavestroughs and downspouts clear of debris is vital for preventing leaks and water damage. Residents are advised to safely use a ladder to remove leaves, pine needles, and sticks from their eavestroughs. After clearing, it’s beneficial to spray water through the eavestroughs to ensure smooth drainage and seal any leaking seams once dry. Homeowners should also consider disconnecting roof downspouts from basement weepers, redirecting the water to lawns and gardens at least three feet from foundations.

Rain Barrel Maintenance
To prolong the life of rain barrels, residents should empty and rinse them, detach any attachments, and reattach downspout extensions to direct water away from the house. For storage, it’s recommended to keep the barrels upside down in a shed or garage, or out of direct sunlight if left outside.

Pool Closure Tips
For those with backyard pools, the City advises stopping chemical additions a week before closing. Residents should let sunlight break down chlorine by keeping the water surface uncovered. When draining pool water, it should be directed to the curb using a hose. Saltwater pools and sand filters that require backwashing should be drained slowly into the sanitary sewer.

Yard Care Before Winter
This season is also an ideal time for yard maintenance. Collecting dry leaves for mulching can enrich the lawn and trees, while any tree branches that may pose a risk during winter storms should be trimmed back. Homeowners can compost remaining leaves for next year’s garden or place them in yard waste bags for collection. When using leaf blowers, remember to be considerate of neighbors and adhere to the City’s Noise Control by-law by operating them between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

City Preparations for Winter
The City of Mississauga is actively preparing for the winter season. Crews are mulching and collecting leaves, relocating waste bins, and preparing parks and public spaces for safe use. Some facilities, including natural turf sports fields and spray pads, are now closed for the season. However, artificial turf fields will remain open, weather permitting.

For further details on park services, visit mississauga.ca/parks. To learn more about the stormwater system, go to mississauga.ca/stormwater.

By following these tips, residents can help protect their homes, communities, and local waterways as the winter season approaches.