October has ended and with that comes the winter season. Ottawa’s winters are infamously severe and you should not have to worry about fixing a home in -30° weather. The biggest issues home owners have to deal with when not winterizing a home can include pipes bursting, high utility bills and ice dam build up on the roof-all pricey and avoidable with proper maintenance.
Avoid the hassle and be prepared in the fall. Maintaining your home sooner than later will result in a worry free winter!
Cleaning the Gutters
Cleaning your gutters allows water to flow through them and in turn prevents interior leaks, damage to your foundation and ice buildup on your roof. Get rid of debris and leaves to ensure water flows away from your home.
Inspect your Chimney and Wood-burning Fireplace
Drafts can waste a lot of your home’s energy. Your fireplace can be a source of cold air leaks and other issues come winter. Inspect and service your chimney or fireplace by clearing obstructions, checking the damper and chimney draft as well as inspecting firebrick in the fireplace.
Winterize Your Water Pipes
Water supply pipes are prone to freezing and susceptible to cold weather. Freezing pipes can lead to pipes bursting and they are the most expensive repair in the home. Turn off all exterior faucets and drain water from outdoor pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to prevent pipe bursts. If you have an older home, consider installing frost-proof faucets.
Inspect your Heating System
Test run your heating system and ensure that when you turn the thermostat on, the furnace turns on and warm air blows within a few minutes. If your furnace is not running properly, you can try to diagnose the issue yourself or you may need to call a qualified technician. If you have a propane or oil furnace make sure your tank is topped off and ready for the cold weather. Having a working heating system is crucial for a home in the winter. Don’t forget to replace furnace filters to keep dust particles from restricting airflow. This also allows for better indoor air quality in your home come the winter months.
Seal Windows and Doors
Cold air leaks around doors and windows is a huge contributor to your heating bill. Seal the gaps and cracks around your door using caulk or weather stripping. Inspect exterior windows and doorways for damaged or missing caulking. You can detect air leaks on a windy day by closing a door or window and feeling around the frame. Usually, air leaks are found at the edges of the window or anywhere where sides meet and caulking the joints where air is leaking is an efficient way to fix this issue. Around doors, weather-stripping should be inspected and replaced and caulking should also be used around any areas where air leaks are found.
Ensure Insulation
Insulating your home is the best way to make sure your home stays warm and cozy for the winter. R-value measures how well certain building insulation materials can resist heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the performance of the insulation.
More than 90 percent of homes in North America lack adequate attic insulation and house insulation. A problem that can arise in the winter if if too much heat escapes through your attic, it can cause snow on your roof to repeatedly melt and refreeze, creating a thick ice dam that can cause serious damage. The solution? Top up your attic insulation. When in doubt, always consult or hire a professional to do the job for you.
Lawn Care
Lastly, prepare your yard for winter by giving your shrubs and flower beds some TLC. This ensures that come spring, you can enjoy the beauty and not have so much maintenance when the warm weather returns. Patio furniture and BBQs should also be cleaned and covered or brought inside to be stored.
