Winters comes with the opportunity to revamp your house and create a cozy environment, but with that comes the responsibility of maintenance.
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The cold weather and snow make it difficult for the house to function appropriately if specific points are not kept in mind while you prepare for the weather.
Thermostats and heaters are necessary for this season, so make sure you check all the regulators and heating systems to provide yourself with a warm house in winter. Ontario experiences the best and worst of Canada’s weather, and winter is no exception. This guide will be especially helpful to Ontario residents.
Here is our winter home maintenance checklist that would guide you on how to prepare for the season.
- Keep The Shovels and Snow Blowers Handy
With heavy snowfall, the driveways are full of snow. Keep your shovels handy and place them in your garage to clear out the snow from the driveway and sidewalk. Also, make sure to change the oil in your snowblower so that it is ready to do the work whenever needed.
- Remove The Patio Furniture And Lighting.
The patio furniture is the highlight of your outdoor area. Ensure the furniture and outdoor appliances are removed and placed indoors to protect them from the snow and rust. Also, make sure you have taken off all the accessories and the patio’s hangings so that they can be used and put out again after the snow has passed.
- Buy Some Salt And Sand.
Keep some salt and sand in hand when ice forms on your driveway or sidewalk. The salt will also help keep the floor non-slippery hence fewer chances of the kids tripping on the floor.
- Clean Windows And Side Doors.
Clean out your window weep holes to allow them to let water flow out of the windows. Also, look out for potential gaps between the doors and window, leading to seepage of water in the house.
- Trim Your Trees And Plants
Trim all the hanging trees and plants and prevent them from causing any damage as heavy winds can lead to the breakage of weak branches and cause significant damage to your house. We know that London has some of the most challenging winters in Ontario. If you’re worried about winter damage, check out Surex to get great house insurance rates. Doing so will keep your investment protected, and the best part is that you can select the type of insurance based on the components you like to cover.
- Protect Entryways From Mud
Keep an extra pair of shoes on the entrance along with spare mats to keep the muddy shoes from creating a mess in your house. Also, make sure to dedicate a small space in your home where you can dry out or hang your wet coats and accessories.
Also, make sure to place all the outdoor plants and pots inside to prevent them from cracking and breaking in harsh weather.
- Keep The Air Conditioner Covered
Protect the air conditioner, which is usually not used in winters, by covering it with a breathable fabric to protect it from snow and rain. Ideally, you should cover your air conditioning system in the fall to protect it from leaves, seeds, and nuts as your air conditioners can not keep out leaves and debris, but only rain and snow.
- Heating System Maintenance.
Make sure your heating system is on the checklist for winter home maintenance. If you have a furnace, make sure to clean out all the dirt and debris from the ducts. If you have an electric system, make sure to check out the wiring, and if you have high-efficiency plans, make sure to clean out the PVC pipes from the debris. If your house runs on a hot water boiler, make sure to check the radiator beforehand.
- Clean Out Your Fireplace.
The best thing about winter is family gatherings in the living room when you sit down with the kids for some coffee. Create a cozy environment by lighting up your fireplace but make sure to clean it first as the dirt and debris is highly flammable and can lead to chimney fires.
- Clean Out Gutters And Drainage System.
With heavy rain and snowfall comes the risk of clogged gutters. You must clean the gutters and drainage system from the leaves and dirt to protect your gutters from clogging and further damage.
- Invest In A Generator.
Make sure to keep a generator prepared for those power outages. Better invest in a generator which could also run the heating system, so your house does not run cold during a power outage.
- Check Out The Roof.
Pay a visit to your roof and look for any potential gaps and chippings, which could lead to leakage during rain and snowfall. Clean out the leaves and dirt from the top to prevent dirty ice dams from forming.
- Prevent Ice Dams From Building Up On Your Roof.
Protect your roof from forming any ice dams and your doors from potential blockages by clearing out the snow above. Two ideal ways to prevent ice dams are to install heating cables and placing rock salt, which will let the ice melt quickly, preventing blockages.
- Be Prepared For A Storm.
Keep an emergency kit ready when a storm hits your town and makes it difficult to leave the house. Stock up on frozen food, flashlights, medicines, first aid supplies, batteries, and engine oil to keep running the generators in case of prolonged power outages.
- Check Smoke Detectors.
Make sure to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change their batteries frequently so that they don’t stop working out of the blue. Also, make sure to check the smoke alarms and keep them maintained for the winter.
- Prevent Fogging On The Windows.
Foggy windows can be a result of humidity, poor ventilation, or faulty windows. You need to investigate the cause to prevent your windows from accumulating mould. You can also check the humidity level and install a dehumidifier or even buy a portable one.
Act accordingly. Do not wait for the snow or rain to cause havoc, and take these measures to winterproof your home so that it is safe from potential damage in the winters and you get to spend the season happily without having to worry about anything.