As the days grow shorter and the chill of fall sets in, it’s time to start preparing your home for the cold months ahead.
Ensuring your space is warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient throughout fall and winter requires a few proactive steps. Tackling these essential home maintenance tasks now will save you from costly repairs and keep your home cozy as the temperature drops. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
Perform a roof inspection and repair loose shingles
Have a professional check your roof to ensure your shingles are intact. Also, make sure your gutters and downspouts are free and clear of leaves and branches. Apply roof repair glue to any loose shingles to help avoid leaks or damage. If your roof needs a fix, many local hardware stores like The Home Depot Canada have installation services to help. Make sure to schedule the work before the weather gets too cold.
Turn off exterior faucets
Turn off all exterior faucets and drain water from outdoor hoses, pipes, valves and sprinkler heads to prevent bursts. You should also consider installing frost-proof faucets.
Install heating cables
Roof heating cables will help you avoid long-term damage caused by freezing and ice dam build-up. Before installing the cables make sure your eavestroughs and roof have been thoroughly cleaned. Affix roof cable clips in a zigzag pattern. Finally, attach and secure your heating cable to the clips and connect the power supply.
Seal gaps and cracks
“Sealing the gaps and cracks around your windows and doors when the weather is still warm is essential to keep your home comfortable while using less energy this winter,” says Jack Rende, senior building materials merchant at The Home Depot Canada. “Any gaps wider than the width of a nickel between your siding and window or door frames should have caulking applied to them. Use your finger or a wet caulk-smoothing tool to smooth your seal within 2 to 5 minutes of application.”
Clean gutters and add gutter guards
Clean gutters allow water to easily flow from your rooftop and away from your home, preventing damage to your foundation and ice buildup on your roof. Installing gutter guards is a great way to avoid the buildup of leaves and other debris in your gutters.
Weatherstrip your windows and doors
Weatherstripping your windows and doors is another great way to keep the cold out. To find out where weatherstripping is needed, wet your hand and run it along your door seam or window casing. The moisture on your hand will help you detect any incoming drafts. Door sweeps and adhesive-backed insulation foam are also very effective draft deterrents.
