September 30, 2019 | Homeownership
Now that summer has come to a close and the days begin to get cooler, the Canadian winter is inevitably heading our way. As we mentally prepare ourselves for the snowy months ahead it’s important that our homes are also prepared. Here are our 5 tips for making sure your home is prepared for winter!
Get Your Furnace Serviced
Our furnaces play a vital role in keeping us warm during the winter months and the last thing we need is for it to break down on us when we need it most! Routine maintenance checks each fall is a great way to guarantee your furnace is running correctly and efficiently. In addition to a furnace check-up, if you have an older thermostat, it might be worth updating yours to an updated programmable one that you can control using your smartphone. This can help save you money on heating costs.
Inspect Your Roof & Clean Your Gutters
As the leaves begin to change into a multitude of pretty colours, that are pretty to look at, but not so pretty when they’re clumped up in your gutters. Clocked eaves troughs prevent proper draining and melting of snow which can easily result in household leaks. While cleaning your gutters, inspect your roof for any damaged or loose shingles. Should your roof need replacing, this is a good problem to solve now, rather than waiting for heavy wet snow to move in and cause a much bigger problem later on.
Prep Your Plumbing
Make sure to turn off the water leading to any outdoor faucets because we all know what happens when water gets cold – it freezes! Freezing water in your pipes can cause them to burst, which can be a dangerous and costly fix. Drain the remaining water from your hoses and disconnect them as well as arrange to have your in-ground sprinkler system blown out before the cold weather strikes.
Check for Leaks
If the seals around your windows and doors are damaged this can cause for some hefty heat loss and high gas bill. Check to make sure all of your windows and doors are suitably sealed and replace wherever it’s required. This will ensure you keep warm this winter and keep your costs low.
Cozy Up
One of people’s favourite part about the winter months is cozying up by the fireplace. Ensure your fireplace (gas or wood-burning) is ready to heat things up this winter. It is important to have your chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional before the temperatures reach too low and ensure your vents and other heating components are vacuumed.
If you have questions about how to properly winterize your home, we can help! Contact Michael Maxwell Homes today and we’ll make sure you and your home are cozy and comfortable all winter long!