9 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for Winter
As summer winds down, there are still a few weeks left to weatherproof your home before Old Man Winter arrives. Follow this checklist to keep your house safe and cozy throughout the season.
- Check for drafty windows and doors. If new windows are not in the cards, install weather stripping and seal window leaks with foam, felt or caulk.
- Add heavy duty drapes to windows and sliding doors. This is a low cost, simple way to keep warm air from escaping your home.
- Inspect the roof and clean the gutters. Dealing with a leaky roof in the cold is really unpleasant. Take the opportunity to squeeze in any potential repairs while the weather is still warm.
- Clean up the garden and prune trees and bushes. Check for loose or broken branches to minimize the risk of damage once they get loaded with snow.
- Shut off exterior faucets and drain hoses and sprinklers to prevent burst pipes. Hoses should be stored indoors to prevent cracking.
- Pack away tools, patio furniture and outdoor fixtures such as lights that won’t hold up well in the cold.
- Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are in good working order.
- If you use wood to heat your home, sweep the chimney to minimize the risk of a chimney fire. Don’t use your fireplace? Insulate it to keep the warm air from escaping.
- Last but not least, inspect the furnace or boiler. While the intervals differ based on make and model, an annual inspection is never a bad idea.
Sources:
Centris.ca – Real estate blog: https://www.centris.ca/en/blog/tips-and-advice/is-your-house-ready-for-winter
Real simple: https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/winter-ready-home
The content in this article is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as professional or expert advice.