Seasonal Home Preparation | 5 tips to prep your home for Fall/Winter
It’s that time of year again, say goodbye (for now) to the patio furniture, blow-up pools and patio parties. The cozy cold weather is well on its way which means home prep starts NOW. Weather proofing your home is so important as Fall and Winter approach to prevent any potential damage that freezing cold temperatures may cause.
Here are my five tips to ensure your home is weather-proof and prepared for whatever the seasons may bring. I have also included helpful links to my favourite home-prep products and services for ease!
Clean Gutters and Eavestroughs
It's important your eaves are free of any debris such as leaves, dirt and sticks. Clogged gutters prevent the draining of rain and melting snow which could result in household leaks. Also, make sure your downspouts extend away from your house to ensure that water runs away from your house and not towards it.
How to clean your gutters
Local gutter cleaning services
Check Windows and Doors for Leaks
Inspect all windows and doors for leaks. In order to prevent heat loss, make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. Check the weather-stripping around windows and door frames, and replace where necessary. Also check for drafts and caulk both inside and out where necessary, to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Every 2-3 years weather stripping needs to be replaced as it loses it’s effectiveness. Weather stripping is used on moveable door openings.
What does weather stripping do?
seal air leaks around movable building components, such as doors or operable windows
Also check and inspect the caulking along windows and repair as needed in order to keep the seals fresh and free of leaks.
Shut Off and Drain Outside Faucets
The faucets you use outside in the summer to wash your car, soak your garden and hose down your kids are susceptible to freezing. If proper care is not taken to shut-off and drain these lines before winter, it can lead to pipes and faucets bursting or cracking and can create a huge, potentially expensive, disaster.
All faucets that exit your home should have a shut-off valve located inside. These shut-offs are usually located close to where the faucet exits the basement to the outside, but can also be located further back in the home closer to where the pipe for the faucet branches off from the main water source.
Clean and Inspect Furnace / Fireplace
It is crucial to have your furnace or heating source inspected prior to the colder seasons. This not only helps the quality of your inside air, but also keeps your furnace running more efficiently (and the more efficient your furnace runs the less money you waste heating your home). Your furnace filter should be replaced every year, which can be purchased via Home Depot or Amazon (check to see which make/model your furnace is prior to purchasing.)
https://globalnews.ca/news/1621011/what-you-need-to-know-about-furnace-filters/
If you have a permanent filter, follow the directions on how to clean it and only use the recommended cleaning solutions (you breathe the air that passes through the filter so cleaning it with harsh chemicals will only contaminate the air and could be potentially dangerous, especially if the cleaning solution is flammable).
Local furnace inspector / services
Clean Ducts and Airways
Cleaning your ducts that lead from your furnace will remove any seasonal debris, pet hair and dust - leaving your air as clean as possible when turning on the heating throughout your home.
Duct Cleaning Services
Taking the time to winter-proof your home is a small price to pay especially if it helps prevent damages. While you're at it. Stock up on the snow essentials—including salt, sand, and snow shovels. It won’t go to waste and maybe you’ll even jinx the harsh Winter they say is coming...(fingers crossed!)
