Every spring in the GTA, the same thing happens. The snow melts, the ground thaws, and homeowners finally see what winter left behind.
Frost heave that cracked the interlock. A basement wall that is weeping where it was not before. Eavestrough joints that shifted under ice load. Deck boards that took on water and are starting to lift.
The temptation is to call a contractor the moment you spot something. But spending 30 minutes doing a proper walk-around first can save you real money. It helps you describe the job accurately, compare quotes on the same scope, and avoid being surprised mid-project when the crew finds things you missed.
Here is what we check every spring before booking anything.
1. Foundation walls and basement floor
Walk your basement perimeter. Look for new cracks (especially horizontal cracks in block foundations - those are structural and need professional attention right away), efflorescence (white mineral deposits that signal water migration), and any new dampness along the base of walls or at the floor-to-wall joint. Winter freeze-thaw cycles stress foundations harder than any other season in Ontario.
2. Eavestrough and downspouts
Get up on a ladder or use binoculars. Check that eavestrough joints have not pulled apart, that gutters are not sagging, and that downspouts discharge at least 6 feet from the foundation. Poor drainage is the number one cause of wet basements and interlock settling in the GTA.
3. Grading and surface drainage
Walk the perimeter of your home and think about where water flows in a heavy rain. The ground should slope away from your foundation at roughly 1 inch per foot for the first 6 feet out. Any flat or negative grade near the house is a waterproofing problem developing slowly.
4. Deck boards and ledger connection
Step on each deck board near the house. Soft, springy boards mean rot from water trapped under snow over winter. Check the ledger board (where the deck meets the house) for separation, rust at the bolts, or flashing that has shifted. The ledger connection is where most deck failures start.
5. Interlock and concrete surfaces
Scan your driveway, walkway, and patio for heaving, settled sections, or gaps at the edges. Minor settling is normal in Ontario clay soil and is often a re-levelling job, not a full replacement. Crumbling concrete may be a deeper issue depending on how far it goes. For a full breakdown of outdoor surface options and what they cost this spring, here is the tradeoff guide for decks, interlock, and flagstone.
6. Window and door seals
Run your hand along the interior perimeter of windows and doors. Cold spots, condensation between panes, or visible daylight at the frame mean the seal or caulking failed over winter. Re-caulking exterior frames is a manageable job. Left alone, it becomes rot and mold.
7. Roofline and attic
From the ground, scan the roofline for missing or lifted shingles, especially at the ridge and eaves. Inside, a quick attic check for moisture staining, mold on the sheathing, or insulation compressed from ice dam melt is worth doing before any contractor steps on your roof.
8. Garage floor
Concrete garage floors in Ontario heave more than most homeowners expect. Check for cracks wider than a quarter inch, and whether the floor has dropped along the walls. Significant cracks near the door threshold can indicate the footing has moved.
Once you have done the walkthrough, document it with your phone. Photos and short notes per area. When you are getting quotes, a contractor who can see what you have already checked will give you a tighter scope and a more accurate number.
Before booking any of the above repairs, check whether the work requires a permit. Here is what requires a GTA permit and what does not in 2026.
What showed up after winter on your property this spring? Drop it below - curious what the GTA is dealing with this year.