I just received this email in my inbox and thought it's worth sharing:As winter approaches it's always a good idea to set aside a few days to prepare your home for the colder weather. The following is our list of top 10 winter preparation tips. Some of the tips mentioned below may require the service of a professional contractor. Be sure to visit www.HandyCanadian.com to find top-rated local contractors for your home winterizing projects.
1. Clean Out Your Fireplace
Before striking that match for the first fire of the season, perform a thorough cleaning of the flue area of your chimney. It is advised that you have a professional check the condition of your chimney to minimize potential chimney fires.
2. Clean Those Gutters
Make sure all leaves and other debris are removed from your gutters before the rains return. Consider taking a garden hose and washing down both the gutter and downspouts. Also make sure the water is properly draining away from the foundation. Once winter returns, any water held back in your gutters by a plugged downspout could freeze and place an unnecessary strain on the gutters themselves.
3. Inspect Your Heating System
Depending on the type of heating system your home has, it is always a good idea to be proactive rather than reactive. If it is a furnace system, make sure it is properly cleaned, the parts are in good working order and the filter has been changed. It might even be a good idea to have a professional inspect it for you in case there is something you may have missed. If your heating system has seen better years, now could be the time to upgrade. After all, you don't want to freeze this winter!
4. Store All Lawn Furniture
It is always a good idea to store your lawn furniture for the winter months ahead. Somewhere around the middle of October is a good time to accomplish this task. By doing so, you will protect your investment from the ravages of winter and get many more years of service from your outdoor furnishings.
5. Inspect The Roof for Possible Loose Shingles
Because the roof is vital in keeping rain out of your house, it is also important that the covering on your roof is secure and in good condition. The number one cause of a leaky roof is damaged or loose shingles. It is not too late to inspect them and make the necessary adjustments before winter sets in. In addition to inspecting your roof, take a look at any tree limbs that might be hanging over your roof and trim them back to prevent potential damage during a snowstorm.
6. Drain Outside Water Spigots
Now is a good time to shut off any water supply to outside faucets and drain them to avoid potential freezing and then bursting after the freeze has passed.
7. Check The Weather-stripping Around Windows
It is believed that energy savings of up to 15 per cent can be realized when all doors and windows are properly weather-stripped. One way to check the efficiency of your current windows and doors is by means of a 'paper test'. This involves shutting the door or window on a piece of paper. If you can then pull the paper out without tearing it, you will need to replace faulty weather-stripping.
8. Properly Insulate Your Home
One of the most important steps is to make sure your home is properly insulated to minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
Upgrading the insulation in an existing house is likely to be a cost-effective, energy-efficient measure. Start in areas that lose the most heat, such as attics, basements and crawlspaces. If you are building a house, good insulation installed properly will save you money.
In an existing house, the attic is generally the most cost-effective place to add insulation. A well-insulated attic can reduce year-round energy use by 20-60%, saving you money.
If you are considering a new heating system, but haven't upgraded your insulation, it’s best to do the insulation first as you might be able to buy a smaller heating system after.
9. Repair Those Leaky Faucets
Now would be a good time to make a last run-through of all outside faucets, to ensure they are in good working order. This is where being proactive instead of reactive can save some money on repairs should a leaky faucet freeze during the winter months, only to break once the spring thaw happens. It is also a good idea to protect those faucets with foam insulation covers.
10. Inspect All Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
A rule of thumb is to inspect detectors twice yearly and replace all batteries annually. In addition, ensure you have sufficient detectors throughout the house. Simply follow the instructions given on all detectors to make sure they are fully functional.
For more home improvement tips and to find top-rated contractors, be sure to visit www.HandyCanadian.com today.
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