Getting Your Home Ready for Winter: The Homeowner’s Checklist
As temperatures drop across Markham, Stouffville, Uxbridge and the GTA, it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. A little preventative maintenance now can help prevent costly repairs, improve energy efficiency and keep your home comfortable all winter long.
Here are eight essential tasks to add to your winter home maintenance checklist.
1. Clean Your Eavestroughs
Remove leaves and debris from your eavestroughs and make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Proper drainage helps reduce the risk of water damage and ice buildup.
2. Protect Your Pipes
Disconnect garden hoses, shut off outdoor water supplies where applicable and insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas. These simple steps can help prevent frozen pipes and costly water damage.
3. Seal Drafts Around Windows and Doors
Check for gaps or worn weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Sealing drafts helps keep warm air inside and makes your home more comfortable during cold weather.
4. Service Your Heating System
Replace your furnace filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and consider scheduling routine maintenance for your furnace or heat pump. It’s better to identify potential problems before the coldest days arrive.
5. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Test your alarms and check their batteries and replacement dates. With heating systems and fireplaces in use, working alarms are essential for keeping your household safe.
6. Prepare Your Outdoor Spaces
Store patio furniture and garden equipment, drain outdoor hoses and check exterior lighting. Make sure snow shovels and ice-melting supplies are easy to access before the first snowfall.
7. Check Your Roof and Attic
Look for visible roof damage, missing shingles or signs of leaks. Check your attic for moisture concerns if it’s safely accessible, and contact a professional if you notice anything that needs attention.
8. Get Ready for Snow and Ice
Check that your snow shovel or snow blower is in working order. Stock up on suitable ice-melting products and make a plan to keep driveways, walkways and entrances safe throughout the season.
Your Home Is Ready for Winter!
Taking care of these tasks before temperatures drop can help protect your home and make the winter months a little easier.
Whether you’re maintaining your current home or thinking about making a move, the Tar Team is here to help with your real estate questions in Markham, Stouffville, Uxbridge and the surrounding communities.
Here’s to a safe, comfortable winter!
Helpful Homeowner Resources
For more information on preparing your home for winter, explore these resources: