Regardless of the pandemic, you still have a bunch of things left on your to-do list for your home and yard. Canadians know how to withstand winter and can even flourish in those long cold months. But in order to do that we have to prepare for the season and ensure we are ready for its fierceness. While the government does their preparation for the winter, let’s help you get through your list and if you don’t have a list, use the one below.
Seal Your Windows and Doors
If you are already feeling a draft by your windows or doors this is not a good thing. In the winter you want to keep all that cold air outside and keep your warm air inside. You should also check around your vents as well. If you find cracks in the caulking you will want to replace that. Opt for rubber caulking as this is the most weather resistant option and it is best at mimicking natural contraction and expansion that is caused by temperature changes. Check the weather, stripping around your doors and well and replace this if necessary.
Insulate the Attic
Heat rises and so your attic will be the last line of defense against heat loss. You want to ensure that the insulation in your attic is at least 12 inches thick and properly layered. You will want to ideally have a vapor barrier as well. In the end you want your attic to be the same temperature as outside and without adequate sealing and insulation you may find the cold seeping back inside causing your heat costs to raise.
Drain Hoses
Your watering days are going to be over for a while, so shut off your pipes and drain all your hoses. You also want to ensure that your sprinkler systems are drained and your taps are capped. Ensure you do this before the temperature falls below freezing, so you don’t end up with any frozen accumulation. You also want to drain your eaves of any water and make sure there are no leaves causing residual water backup after the fall.
Bring In Window AC Units
Bring all your window units inside – we are pretty sure this is a no-brainer.
Swab Your Deck
Store your patio furniture or cover them up. Bring in planters and pots that may crack in the cold or that have plants that will thrive inside. Once everything is put away or covered, you can clean the deck to ward off mildew and mold. If necessary, also reseal the deck if necessary.
Trim the Trees – Not the Christmas Tree
Ice covered branches can look pretty, but they are not safe. So trim those trees before the snow, frost and ice starts.
Tune Your Furnace
Clean your furnace to ensure it is working properly before the weather gets too cold. You may need to change the filter as well. Check on all ducts and vents to ensure that you will be experiencing a free flow of warm air when you need it the most. You may also want to have your chimney or fireplace inspected, especially if you haven’t done so in a while.
Stock Up on Supplies
Do you need any supplies to manage the snow? Check on the condition of your shovels and get salt. You will want these to be available and easily accessible when the snow comes along. Now is the time to also have an emergency kit of perishables put together as well. This kit should include:
- Non-perishable food items
- Candles
- Blankets
- Drinking water (approx 2 liters per adult per day)
- Matches
- A battery powered radio
- Flashlights
- Batteries
Are you ready for the winter season of 2020? Is your house ready for all the other seasons. Here at SilverBeam Homes we can help you with all your buying and selling needs. We can also give you great advice on maintenance and put you onto our team of preferred professionals. Contact us today!
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