Leaving Saskatchewan for the Winter? A Snowbird Home Watch Checklist

Written By David Vanghel

For many Saskatchewan homeowners, escaping part of our long, cold winter is something to look forward to. Whether you're heading south for a few weeks or spending several months away, there's one important thing that stays behind: your home.

Saskatchewan winters can be particularly hard on an unattended property. Extreme cold, furnace problems, frozen pipes, water leaks, heavy snowfall and other unexpected issues can become much more serious when nobody is there to notice them.

A little preparation—and having someone regularly check your property—can make a big difference.

At Four Hands Property Services, we've put together this practical checklist for Saskatchewan snowbirds preparing to leave their homes this winter.

Before You Leave

1. Check your home insurance requirements

Before leaving for an extended period, review your home insurance policy or contact your insurer. Some policies have specific requirements when a home is unoccupied, including how frequently the property must be checked.

Requirements vary between insurers and policies, so don't assume that a particular inspection schedule automatically satisfies your coverage.

2. Have your heating system checked

Your furnace is one of the most important systems in your home during a Saskatchewan winter. Make sure it is operating properly before you leave and replace or clean the furnace filter if necessary.

If your home has an HRV system, this is also a good opportunity to make sure its filters are clean and the system is functioning properly.

3. Don't turn the heat off

It may be tempting to substantially reduce the temperature to save money, but your home still needs adequate heat to protect plumbing and other building systems.

Consider using a smart thermostat or temperature-monitoring system that can alert you to unusual temperature changes.

4. Protect against water damage

Check visible plumbing for leaks before leaving. Depending on your home's configuration and your insurer's requirements, you may also want to discuss whether shutting off the main water supply is appropriate.

Water-leak sensors placed near appliances, water heaters, sump areas and other vulnerable locations can provide another layer of protection.

5. Prepare the exterior

Before winter arrives, take a walk around your property. Clean up loose debris, secure outdoor furniture and other items, check drainage areas, and make sure exterior doors and windows are properly closed and secured.

While You're Away

Preparing the property is only half the job. Regular checks while you're gone can identify problems that technology alone may not catch.

A home watch visit can include things such as:

  • Checking the general condition and security of the property

  • Looking for signs of water leakage or damage

  • Checking that the home remains adequately heated

  • Looking for unusual interior conditions

  • Checking doors and accessible windows

  • Looking for signs of forced entry or other security concerns

  • Checking visible plumbing areas

  • Looking for signs of pests

  • Checking the exterior condition of the property

  • Monitoring snow and ice conditions

  • Identifying obvious maintenance concerns

  • Providing dated photo or video updates

Having documented visits also gives homeowners a record of what was observed while they were away.

Don't Forget About Snow

An untouched driveway and walkway can advertise that nobody has been home for an extended period.

Snow accumulation can also create accessibility and maintenance issues.

Arrange snow removal before leaving Saskatchewan rather than trying to organize it remotely after the first major snowfall.

Have a Plan When Something Goes Wrong

The real value of having someone local isn't simply discovering that everything is fine. It's having someone available when something isn't fine.

If a property check reveals a leak, heating concern, damage, unusual condition or other problem, you want to know about it quickly so the appropriate next steps can be arranged.

Make sure whoever is checking your home knows how to contact you and what you want them to do if something needs immediate attention.

Four Hands Snowbird Home Watch

Heading south shouldn't mean wondering what's happening back home.

Four Hands Property Services provides dependable Snowbird Home Watch services in Saskatoon and surrounding communities, giving homeowners a local set of eyes on their property while they're away.

Depending on the service selected, visits can include scheduled property checks, photo/video updates, seasonal monitoring and additional property-support services.

We can also discuss snow removal and other winter property services so you're not trying to coordinate everything from hundreds or thousands of kilometres away.

Planning to leave Saskatchewan this winter? Now is a great time to arrange your Home Watch service before the snow arrives.

Four Hands Property Services
Call/Text: 306-203-9011
Email: dave@fourhandspropertyservices.ca
Serving Saskatoon and surrounding communities

David Vanghel
About Four Hands Property Services

At Four Hands Property Services, we believe that every property deserves the same care and attention we'd give our own.

We're a locally owned and family-operated business proudly serving Saskatoon and the surrounding communities. Whether you need routine lawn care, property maintenance, junk removal, furniture or shed assembly, seasonal clean-ups, or general handyman services, we're committed to delivering dependable, high-quality workmanship at a fair price.

Our business was built on a simple philosophy: show up when we say we will, communicate honestly, work hard, and leave every property better than we found it. We understand how valuable your home and investment properties are, which is why we treat every project—large or small—with professionalism and respect.

We proudly serve homeowners, landlords, property managers, seniors, and local businesses, offering both one-time services and ongoing maintenance plans tailored to your needs.

When you choose Four Hands Property Services, you're not hiring a large franchise—you're supporting a local Saskatchewan family that genuinely cares about earning your trust and your future business.

Reliable. Affordable. Done Right.

https://fourhandspropertyservices.ca