The single most expensive season for a Quebec City building is winter, and almost every costly failure — burst pipes, ice dams, heating breakdowns — is preventable with work done before the cold arrives. The fix is a preventive maintenance routine that starts in autumn and continues through the season. Frederic Murray, founder of Groupe Murray, has protected more than 200 units through nearly two decades of Quebec winters, and the pattern is consistent: prepared buildings stay profitable, neglected ones generate emergencies.
This is the 2026 preventive checklist Immeubles Murray uses to keep buildings safe, tenants comfortable, and repair bills low.
Why Winter Prevention Pays for Itself
A single frozen pipe can flood multiple units and cost far more than a season of preventive checks. Beyond the repair, you face displaced tenants, insurance complications, and reputational damage.
Murray Immeubles treats prevention as the cheapest line item in the budget because:
- Planned maintenance is scheduled at normal rates; emergencies command premium pricing.
- Small issues caught early never become structural problems.
- Comfortable, dry tenants renew their leases; cold, flooded ones leave.
The math almost always favors spending modestly in October to avoid spending heavily in January.
Before the First Freeze: The Autumn Checklist
Most winter damage is decided in the fall. Frederic Murray prioritizes these tasks before temperatures drop:
Heating systems
- Service furnaces and boilers; replace filters.
- Bleed radiators and confirm even heat distribution.
- Test thermostats in every unit and common area.
Water and plumbing
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls.
- Shut off and drain exterior faucets and irrigation lines.
- Confirm the location and function of every main shut-off valve.
Building envelope
- Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts so meltwater drains away from the foundation.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors to stop drafts and heat loss.
- Check roof condition and flashing while access is still safe.
Safety equipment
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.
- Confirm emergency lighting and clear exit paths.
- Service any backup heating or power systems.
During Winter: Ongoing Tasks
Preparation is not a one-time event. Through the season, Groupe Murray keeps a rhythm of recurring checks:
Snow and ice management
- Clear walkways, stairs, and entrances promptly to prevent slip-and-fall liability.
- Apply de-icer responsibly to protect both safety and surfaces.
- Monitor roofs for heavy snow load and dangerous icicles.
Ice dam prevention
- Watch for ice building at roof edges, a sign of heat escaping into the attic.
- Maintain attic insulation and ventilation to keep the roof deck cold and even.
Interior monitoring
- Keep vacant units heated enough to protect plumbing.
- Encourage tenants to report drafts, leaks, or heating issues immediately.
- Watch humidity and condensation, which can signal ventilation problems.
A short weekly walkthrough catches most developing problems before they escalate.
Working With Tenants Through the Cold Season
Winter maintenance is a partnership. Immeubles Murray keeps tenants informed and engaged:
- Share simple guidance, such as keeping cabinet doors open under sinks on the coldest nights so warm air reaches the pipes.
- Provide a clear, fast channel for reporting heating or water issues.
- Remind tenants not to block heating vents or radiators with furniture.
- Respond quickly — a same-day fix in winter prevents a multi-unit disaster.
Tenants who feel looked after during harsh weather become long-term residents, which is the quiet driver of profitable buildings.
Building Your 2026 Maintenance Calendar
The owners who avoid winter crises are simply the ones who systematize it. Frederic Murray recommends a written calendar that assigns:
- Specific autumn preparation tasks with completion dates.
- Recurring in-season checks (snow, ice, heating, interiors).
- Named responsibility for each task — owner, on-site staff, or contractor.
- A reserve fund sized for genuine emergencies, separate from routine spending.
Put the system on paper once and winter stops being a gamble. The buildings that thrive through a Quebec winter are not lucky; they are managed.
For more on managing and growing a Quebec City portfolio, explore the Murray network:
- Frederic Murray Management – professional management practices
- Murray Immeubles – our property portfolio
- Frederic Murray Estates – investment strategies
- Murray Immeubles (plex investing) – multi-family guidance
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