Before you bring out all things pumpkin, there are a few things you should do to help prepare your home for the colder Canadian weather. Here are a few tips the Tobia Homes team has put together to help transition your home from hot summer days to cool fall nights... and eventually freezing temperatures.
Clean, or possibly replace, your gutters.
You're so used to your gutters working correctly — and draining gallons of water from your roof every year. If your gutters get clogged, you can end up with a flooded interior and a damaged exterior.
CHECK FOR DRAFTY WINDOWS.
Did you know that heat loss through windows is responsible for 25%- 30% of heating energy use. But it doesn't have to be, weatherstripping is a simple and probably the most cost-effective way to keep heating costs down. Here's a hot tip, to check if you have a draft problem, close a door or window on a strip of paper. If the paper slides easily, you need to update your weatherstripping.
DRAIN YOUR OUTDOOR TAPS.
REMEMBER! Turn off all outdoor faucets before winter! Drain and disconnect all garden hoses from outside spigots to prevent any water freezing. Not doing this can lead to pipes bursting, so don't forget.
BRING IN YOUR OUTDOOR FURNITURE.
Yes, your outdoor furniture. Don't test the label by leaving it outside through the Canadian winter. It cost you money and time to set that outdoor space up, so if you want to get another summer season out of it, you should store it in a garage or shed. If you don't have anywhere to keep it, purchase a waterproof cover.
FIX THE CRACKS IN YOUR DRIVEWAY.
We know this seems tedious, but when water gets into the cracks, it freezes, expands, and can make the crack even more prominent. Enough small cracks, and eventually, the concrete can crumble. Using a concrete crack sealer is an effective way to fill it up and be done with it.
CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTERS.
Another thing in your home that might be costing you more money than it should be is your air filters. If your air filters are clogged, it's harder to keep your home at the temperature you want it, which will increase your heating bills.
FERTILIZE YOUR LAWN.
You know what they say: The best offence is a good defence. If you want to keep your lawn looking great in the spring and summer, you need to prep it for the Fall and winter. Doing this will also help your lawn turn green faster in the spring.
CHANGE THE BATTERIES.
Once a year, you should be checking to make sure the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are working. Since you're already testing everything else out, you might as well add this on.
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