Help your home weather Winter

November 30, 2010

Autumn is prime time to inspect your home and make sure it will effectively withstand the cold this coming winter. While this inspection requires very little from the homeowner, this quick checklist can potentially save you money and headaches in the long run. Inspecting both the interior and exterior of your home helps to prevent costly breakdowns around the house that are usually caused by freezing temperatures, strong winds, snow and ice. By paying special attention to the insulation and the heating system, you can also eliminate heat loss and cut your energy bills.
“Preparing your home for winter is one of the most important maintenance activities of the year. With very simple inspections that can be achieved in a short period of time, homeowners can considerably increase the comfort of their home, while also protecting and preserving their investment. This will provide them with peace of mind all winter long and will help them avoid unpleasant surprises when spring arrives,” says Elizabeth Martin, a project guide at Rona Home & Garden.

Follow these tips to help your home weather the winter.

Roof, chimney and gutters
• Check the roof and replace damaged shingles. Make
sure roof shingles are solidly attached.
• Clean the chimney thoroughly, because soot that accumulates inside it can be a fire hazard. Make sure there’s no bird or squirrel nest in your chimney. The chimney should be swept at least once and up to three times a year, depending on how frequently the fireplace is used.
• Ensure gutters are in good condition and solidly nailed
to the building. Run water in gutters using a garden
hose and look for leaks, while making sure the downspouts drain properly. Remove any leaves accumulated in gutters. Otherwise, water and debris left in the pipes will freeze when the temperature drops, potentially cracking the gutters.

Filling the cracks
• Walk around your home and make sure the exterior siding is in good condition and solidly attached to the building. If you notice cracks in the concrete, caulk them to prevent damage that could result when
water freezes. Look for cracks inside your basement walls and in the concrete slab.
• Seal the driveway with a product specially designed for this purpose. If there are cracks in the asphalt, repair them immediately or they will expand when the ground freezes.

Exterior accessories
• Drain garden hoses and store these inside your garage or in a shed. To prevent costly pipe breakdowns, shut off all your outdoor faucets.
• Before putting the lawn mower away, give it a good cleaning and empty the gas tank into an appropriate container.
• Inspect your snowblower. Make sure it starts easily and change the spark plug and gas filter if necessary.

Ventilation and insulation
• Remove dust from inside the air exchanger. Make sure motor, heating elements and the fan (by turning it manually) work properly. Take the time to clean air ducts and ensure they’re not obstructed.
• Pay special attention to doors and windows – they’re the biggest culprits when it comes to heat loss in winter. Seal them if necessary. Check weather stripping and replace it if needed. Don’t forget the garage door: snow and ice can warp it and create tiny openings that rodents can use to enter.
• To stay warm during cold winter nights, make sure your home is well insulated from the basement to the attic. Check electrical outlets and light switches along cold walls. If you feel cold air coming in, remove the plastic covers and install insulation foam pads specially designed for this purpose.

Heating
• Start your furnace to make sure it works properly. Remove the filter and carefully hold it up to the light. If most of the light is blocked, the filter should be cleaned or replaced.
• If you’re heating with oil, inspect the tank for possible cracks or rust.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that can be dangerous if not detected. Carbon monoxide is produced by wood stoves, fireplaces, propane gas burners and cars left idling in the garage. Make sure your smoke detector works properly and change the battery if required.
• Remove any dust from electric baseboards and clean heating ducts and vents. Clean your humidifier, kitchen fan filter and bathroom fan. For more information, visit rona.ca

Filed under: RENOVATIONS