It’s that time of year again! With two (albeit light) snowfalls already under our belt before December has even arrived, it may be time to think about preparing your home for the rapidly approaching winter months. Here are a few home tasks and projects to undertake now before the real snow hits!
Avoid frozen pipes
Prep your outdoor plumbing by fully turning off any taps and making sure they are drained of water. Drain the water from your garden hose, roll it up and store it in a shed or basement during winter. If you have any interior pipes that are prone to freezing, consider insulating them by wrapping them in heat tape to keep them warm.
Check your heating
You will likely be using your heating every day throughout the winter months, so make sure everything is functioning efficiently now. Check whether your furnace filter needs replacing and vacuum around all your vents to make sure they are free of dust and debris. To be on the safe side, you could also enlist the services of a professional to give everything a once over with an expert eye. If you haven’t already, consider installing a smart thermostat to heat your home more efficiently and save on your heating bills.
Seal any leaks
Your doors and windows should be properly sealed to prevent any heat loss. Check areas for draughts and replace caulking both inside and outside where necessary. Take a look at the weather stripping surrounding windows and doors and replace if needed.
Stock up on winter supplies
Make sure you have salt, shovels, and sand at the ready for when you most need it. There’s nothing worse than being surprised by a heavy snowfall and not having the proper supplies on hand! You might also want to consider leaving a winter emergency kit in your car.
Look at your roof
Check your roof for any damaged or missing shingles and replace them to prevent unwanted water from storms and melting snow leaking into your home. Check and repair breaks in the flashing seals around vent stacks and chimneys as well.
It’s a good idea to get started on these tasks early so you can take care of two or three jobs per weekend in the run-up to winter and not get overwhelmed by chores. For more home maintenance tips and advice, make sure to follow Royal LePage Performance Realty on Facebook , LinkedIn and Twitter!
