Canada is known for many lovely things, but the winters aren’t necessarily at the top of the list. While it’s a beautiful time of year to enjoy outdoor sports and cook warm, hearty soups, winter also brings wet, cold, and stormy weather that can damage your home.
As a homeowner, you’re probably thinking about getting your house ready for the upcoming winter months. Whether you’ve just bought a new house or have lived in the same place for years, it never hurts to make a maintenance checklist. Check out our list of top winter-prep tips that will keep your home warm and dry all season long.
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Bleed the Radiators
Many older homes use radiators as a heating method. Have you noticed that one or two rooms in the house aren’t as warm as the others? It might be because of hot air trapped inside those particular rooms’ radiators. Before you call up your plumber, consider fixing the problem yourself by bleeding those radiators of any trapped air.
You’ll need:
- Work Gloves
- A radiator key or screwdriver
- One small bowl
Turn the heat off and go through your home’s radiators one by one. Find the bleed valve on each unit — the small knob at either the left or right side of the radiator — and slowly turn it counterclockwise to release any air inside. Use the small bowl to catch any dripping water.
Ensure Your Windows are Insulated Properly
Checking to see that your windows are in excellent shape is an essential part of the winter maintenance procedure. If your windows haven’t been installed properly or are old, they’ll have tiny gaps and holes that let warm air escape and bring cold air from the outside into your home. Poor insulation means that you’ll be paying a higher utility bill because you’ll be cranking up the heat to make up for all of the lost hot air through the windows.
Consider replacing your windows if you notice any:
- Drafts coming in when all the windows and doors are closed.
- Peculiar whistling sounds.
- Condensation marks on the glass.
- Excess moisture between the windowpanes.
Photo by Ozgu Ozden on Unsplash
If you recognize any of those issues in your home, contact a trusted company specializing in windows and doors in Mississauga and the GTA right away to discuss window replacement. They’ll help you find high-quality, energy-efficient windows with maximum insulation. Energy-efficient windows will keep you warm by trapping warm air inside your home with superior, energy-saving technology so you won’t have to spend a fortune on bills anymore.
Check the Roof
You don’t want to find out that you have a leaky roof on the day of the first snowfall. Before you hire a professional, walk around the house and look for things like broken shingles, cracked caulking on the flashing, and big masses of moss sitting on top of the house. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, then it might be time to call up your local roofer.
If you want a warm house this winter, all it takes is some simple maintenance and a couple of phone calls to home professionals who will help you. With a cozy place to come home to every night, you might end up loving the Canadian winter, after all.