Is your Home ready to Brace the Cold this Winter.

Cold weather is closing in and it’s time to winterize your home and yard to avoid costly yet preventable damages. As the harshest season, especially in Canada, prepping your home for the winter can be easier than you think. A little can go a long way in safe-guarding your home against potential winter-induced damage.

To help Canadians simplify their winter prep routines, here are quick and easy tips to make sure you’re prepared to handle the season and reduce potential damage. After all, during an expensive time of year, there are things we’d all rather spend our money on over the holidays than costly repairs.

1. Check your roof to make sure there are no missing shingles that will let in water

One of the most common ways water gets into a home is through the roof. Water leaks and damage are more prevalent during the winter months, especially with heavy snowfall experienced throughout the season. Before snowfall is expected, check your roof to make sure your shingles are all in place.

2. Ensure all outdoor plumbing fixtures are turned off and properly drained and eavestroughs are cleaned

As the temperature continues to drop, it’s best practice to disconnect the water access outside. And to ensure that melt water can drain away effectively, make sure the eavestroughs are clear of debris so there is proper drainage away from the base of your home.

3. Ensure the outside of your home, including walkways and drainage paths, are clear of snow and obstructions

This includes ensuring your driveways and walking paths are cleared of leaves and other debris to allow for easy and efficient snow clearing. As the temperature drops and rises, water from snow and ice will need somewhere to go so it doesn’t back into your house. Clearing leaves and dirt that have piled up from the fall will help prevent water leaks during the winter season. You should also make sure that your snowblower and other snow removal equipment is in good working order.  If you don’t have a snowblower, your plastic snow shovels should be fully functional and easily accessible. Having a supply of salt or another deicing compound on hand before the first snowfall is also key to clearing the outside of your home.

4. Check windows and doors to make sure the caulk is solid and ensure that windows close properly to keep water and snow out

Caulking can be purchased at any hardware store and is an easy solution to implement if drafts are noted around any doors or windows. Purchasing additional seals to keep the cold out is an affordable hack to prevent damage down the road!

5. Before it gets too cold, have your furnace serviced and install a new air filter to ensure peak performance

Most of us don’t give our furnaces much thought until they are needed during the chilly winter months. But in order to keep it working to its optimal performance and help prevent possible damage, you should change the filter on a regular basis – this will help prevent damage to the HVAC system and improve your home’s air quality.

6. If you have a gas fireplace, make sure to have it serviced before using it to heat your home

Every fireplace or insert should be cleaned annually. Gas Fireplaces need an annual inspection in order to keep up to snuff. By cleaning your fireplace and chimney, you can put your mind at ease when you want to get nice and cozy this winter season and not worry about potential fires.

7. If you have a wood burning fireplace or wood stove, ensure the chimney has been cleaned after the last season, and make sure your supply of wood is well seasoned and kept dry

When firewood is burned incompletely, creosote can form. And as a smoky fire burns without enough oxygen, it emits lots of unburned tar vapors that can build up inside the fireplace shaft and stick to it, leading to a potential chimney fire. You can reduce buildup in your fireplace by getting your chimney cleaned regularly.  Also, keep in mind when building a fire that green or wet wood does not burn efficiently and does not provide much warmth.  

The best way to protect your home against damage is to start from the outside and work your way in to inspect potential problem areas. Above all else, make sure you’re properly insured to prevent any unwanted incremental costs during the expensive holiday season.