Each province will be cold in winter. From the Rockies in St. Albert and Vancouver to Winnipeg and Toronto, winter is harsh for the northern hemisphere. If you are a current resident of this hemisphere, you know how it can be unpredictably frigid.
Some of us turn to the Farmer’s Almanac and others to the Weather Channel. However, even they sometimes cannot predict the weather. For those of us who need something to keep us sane through these unpredictable months, here are some tips for maintaining the heat.
Exterior Fixins
Winterization is pretty essential for all Canadian homeowners. A good place to start is to make sure you block any drafts in your windows or doorways. Additionally, don’t forget about any excess air that can enter through your air conditioner systems.
You’ll want to clean out your gutters as well and inspect your roof. Roof inspections are quite important because you don’t want any critters burrowing in any open holes to keep warm during the winter months.
You should also check for ice dams that can occur on the roof. This could be hazardous and do significant damage. Another thing you should look out for while up there are low-hanging branches if your home has trees that go over your roof.
Prepare your winter tools as well. Get your shovels, snowblowers, and other necessities out from storage so they are easily accessible. Invest in a backup generator for emergencies. For pool owners, you’ll of course want to make sure you have it secured for the winter months.
Interior Fixins
However you get your heat, you should get inspected. Whether it’s your furnace, your natural gas source, or your chimney. Or all of the above if you have some sort of combined way of getting heat. As mentioned above, check for air leaks in windows and doors from the inside.
If you weren’t aware, more fires occur during the winter months than in the warmer ones. Get your smoke detectors and CO2 detectors prepared as a priority safety guard. You should clean out your vents as that is a helpful way to prevent fires.
You should check your insulation in the attic if you are able to. Proper ventilation through the attic is essential to avoid water damage. Check your pipes to prevent freezing and prepare your humidifier. Winter generally brings the dry and can be hard on your breathing.
Extra Fixins
Most of the suggestions above are helpful to forever homeowners and to those searching for real estate in St. Albert, Calgary, Quebec City, or any of the additional regions of Canada and the northern hemisphere.
Some additional suggestions that are good to invest in are preparing your deck every fall. This is more of a cosmetic decision but can save you money in the long run. Plus maintaining your deck annually will increase your home’s equity.
Repair your caulking every fall and seal up your masonry. Investing in making your home more energy-efficient throughout the years is another way to create more equity for your home and help you save money in the long run.
Finally, you should bring in all outside patio equipment or find a way to store it so it stays dry. Bringing in your grill would be a personal choice, as a good grilled meal in the middle of winter is extra comforting for those dreaming of the warm summer.
