Get Ahead of Winter. Winterize Your Home NOW!
Prevent potential winter-related disasters. Winterize your home NOW to ensure your comfort and peace of mind throughout the season.
There’s no better time to winterize your home than before the mercury drops. Even though the air is getting a little brisk and the nights are definitely getting colder, it’s still a very easy and pleasant time of year to prepare in anticipation of the inevitable: snow and ice!
While autumn allows us to rest in denial of the impending cold, particularly during these relatively mild days preceding winter’s harsh arrival, it’s still important to get prepared. And, the earlier the better!
For anyone who’s had to address a maintenance issue – heat or water, for instance – in the middle of January, you know that, of all the seasons, winter is the absolute worst to be struck with some type of (likely preventable!) home disaster.
So, that said, there’s no better time than NOW – during this brief reprieve of pleasant weather to ensure that your home is ready for Old Man Winter’s return.
To help guide your preparations, here are some easy essentials for winterizing your home to offer you valuable peace of mind as well as a more comfortable, energy-efficient season, no matter what the weather outside.
- Keep your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors maintained and test frequently.
- Be sure that your heating source – furnace, wood stove, etc. – are in good working condition. It’s a good idea to have them inspected, maintained and cleaned on a regular basis. Through the colder months, clean or, if necessary, replace furnace air filters more frequently.
- Turn on taps and run some water through plumbing fixtures regularly.
- Fill in any gaps – those small cracks around the perimeter of your windows can let in a lot of cold air. Caulking around the exterior of your windows is a fast and easy way to keep warm air in.
- Test the shut-off valves for your plumbing.
- Inspect your attic for any frost accumulation and give your eavestroughs and roof a once-over for possible ice dams or icicles. Ensure that your attic is appropriately insulated. The easiest way to boost your insulation power is to lay batts of mineral wool or fibreglass insulation on top of what’s already there; fit them tightly against one another to help prevent gaps for air.
- Regularly clear your sidewalk and front steps of snow and ice.
- Keep snow from collecting against gas appliance vents, gas meters, exhaust vents, and your basement windows.
- Keep branches close to your home or electrical wires safely trimmed.
- Fit any exposed pipes with insulation wrapping or sleeves to prevent them from freezing.
Leaving for vacation (even only a few days)? Be sure to leave the heat on and have a trusted someone check on your home while you are away to prevent any potential disasters from happening in your absence.
Questions about your home insurance coverage or would like a quote? Talk to us!
