Seasonal Home Maintenance

Pruning

If you have a tree or shrub that has grown too close to power lines, do not prune them without getting help first. If trees are near the overhead service line to your home, call us. We can shut off your power so you can work safely. We do this
free-of-charge.

If your tree is growing close to the secondary power lines that run from pole to pole, hire a professional arborist to trim it for you. An arborist will have the experience and tools to do it safely.

Stay at least 7 metres away from the power lines because electricity can arc. If you're worried about a tree growing too close to a power line, you can request a tree trimming. Learn more about how to
safely prune your trees

Planting and digging

If you are planting anything, contact Alberta-One-Call before you dig. This free service will come and mark your utility lines before you dig. Marking the lines will help prevent damaging water, electricity, drainage, and natural gas lines. You should call before you dig for any project, like building a fence or deck.

Do not dig or plant near power poles, transformers, and switching cubicles. There are grids installed underground up to one metre from transformers and cubicles. Digging near them is not safe. Our crews also need space to work on this equipment safely. As trees and plants grow, they can get too close and cause a safety risk.
Learn more about clearance requirements
around safety equipment

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Clean your gutters

Gutter cleaning is important in the fall. Leaves and debris can collect in the eavestroughs and clog them. If water can't run through your gutters and downspouts, it can spill over, causing pooling next to your foundation. This may lead to basement flooding. Plan to clean your eavestroughs now and again in spring. If you notice leaks or damage, repair or replace them as soon as possible.

When cleaning out your guters, be mindful of nearby overhead power lines. Always make sure you have safe clearance for your ladder before you start the job.
 Learn more about
eavestrough maintenance

Be careful using ladders around power lines

If you're using a ladder to tackle your fall and winter home maintenance checklist, be extra careful around overhead power lines. Ladder safety is always important but working around power lines creates another hazard. When cleaning your gutters, trimming trees, or even putting up Christmas lights, look for overhead lines first.

If you don' have clearance, stop what you're doing. Never work on a ladder too close to power lines.
Know how to
identify your power lines

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Keep catch basins clear

Catch basins are those drains on the curb that move stormwater and snowmelt into the city drainage system. Without them, the streets would flood. Help keep the water moving by clearing debris, ice, and snow from the catch basin near your house. In the winter, dig a little trench through the snow to the basin to help snowmelt drain. Watch our video on why it's important to keep catch basins clear.

If your catch basin isn't draining, it could be frozen or damaged. Call our 24/7 emergency line.
Learn more about catch basins
and what they do

Keep space around transformers

Transformers are those green or grey boxes on some front yards next to the sidewalk. They help route power to your home.

If you have one on your property, you must make sure it's not blocked. If the power is out, our crews may need to access it to get power back on in your neighborhood.  To work safely, our crews need room and solid footing. The area needs to be clear of trees, shrubs, decorative rock, or other landscaping features. The easier they can do their work, the sooner they can get the electricity back on.
Learn more about clearance requirements
for power equipment

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Keep space for fire hydrants

A fire hydrant on property is one of your homeowner responsibilities. Fire hydrants need space around them for fire crews to work. Do not park in front of a fire hydrant. Ensure there aren't trees, plants, fences, or other landscaping features too close to it. They also need to be inspected each year to make sure they're working properly. Include this fire hydrant maintenance on your seasonal home maintenance checklist.

Make sure water meters are accessible

Our water meter readers need a clear path to the water meter on property so they can read it safely. In the winter, clearing a snow path for the meter readers is one of your homeowner responsibilities. That includes keeping your driveway and walkways cleared of ice and snow and making a path through the snowy yard. Don't block the meter with a fence, deck, shed, or other landscaping.
Read more about
meter reader safety

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Locate your water shutoff valve

Homeowner responsibilities include fixing problems with water fixtures, plumbing, and lines within your home and property. That includes the pipe connected to the water meter. Your water utility company is responsible for the water meter itself and pipes leading up to your property line.

If there's a problem with your plumbing, you might need to shut off the water coming to your home. You can shut off the water supply in most homes using a valve located on the waterline leading to your water meter. Knowing where it is ahead of time can help prevent water damage if something goes wrong. If you want to shut the water off at your property line, contact us.
Learn more about
water shutoff valves

Prevent pipes from freezing

 Outside water lines can freeze when frost goes below the waterline. Inside your home, they can freeze in extreme cold or if there's a draft. Checking your pipes should be part of your seasonal home maintenance checklist this winter.

Remove your hoses from outside taps and turn off the taps. Keep your pipes from freezing inside by keeping the heat on, even when away from home. Make sure your outdoor water lines, and any plumbing on an exterior wall, is insulated. Let the water flow through your taps now and then, especially ones you don't use often. If you're going out of town, have your house sitter run the water through the lines to help prevent freezing pipes.Learn more about
preventing frozen pipes

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