1. Restock Winter Essentials
Before the first big snowstorm of the year, make sure to stock up on winter essentials, including: salt, ice melt (deicer) and winter windshield washer fluid. While you’re at it, tune up your snow blower and make sure your shovel is in good condition.
2. Seal Drafts
If you feel any drafts around your windows or doors, seal them now before you waste money on extra energy costs. You can purchase a sealant kit, or use caulk, window glazing putty and weather stripping, to kiss those chills goodbye.
3. Protect Your Floors
Make sure you have appropriate mats and boot trays near the entrances to your home. Having a designated spot to wear and store your winter boots will prevent your floors from being damaged by water and salt, as members of your household and holiday visitors enter your home.
4. Test Your Heating System
Whether you have a wood stove, electric baseboards, or a super efficient geothermal heat pump, it’s important to make sure your heating system is in good working condition, before outside temperatures drop. If you’ve looked at the weather forecast and know the temperature is supposed to fall below freezing, turn your heating system on a week beforehand. If there are any problems, you’ll have a few days to contact a repairperson, before you really need your heat.
5. Turn OFF Exterior Faucets
Frozen pipes inside your home can be a nightmare, but did you know that exterior faucets pose the same risk? To avoid a frozen (and potentially burst) outdoor faucet, drain your exterior faucet before temperatures dip below freezing. Also, make sure to put away your garden hose for the winter to protect it from the winter conditions. If you don’t have a frost proof faucet (most older homes don’t), you should turn off the indoor shut off value to prevent any water from reaching your outdoor faucet, where it might freeze and cause problems.
6. Prevent Ice Dams
Ice dams (pictured above) are caused by snow on your roof melting from the heat that is rising from your home. The snow melts and travels down your roof, where it hits your gutters. Because of the temperature difference, the water will then freeze and block the downspout, preventing proper drainage from your home. Unfortunately, this could cause future melted snow to leak into your home, rather than drain away from it. Get up on your ladder one last time before the year is over and check for ice dams (look for ice-clogged gutters and icicles). If you notice any, you can solve the problem temporarily by buying heated cables that will melt the ice and prevent more from forming. For a permanent solution, make plans in the spring to fix the problem by increasing the insulation in your attic.
If you’re a new homeowner, and you’ve just finished paying for the closing costs on your new home, it may be tempting to skip winter home maintenance – don’t. If you don’t properly prepare your home for winter, you may find yourself stuck with costly repairs come spring. By planning for and accomplishing these tasks before the brutal cold hits, you can ensure your home will be well prepared for anything our Canadian winters throw at it.
Originally posted on ClosingCosts.com
