Winter, especially if you’re in Canada, is one of the harshest seasons in a home. The freezing temperatures cause water to expand, which can damage the house, the pipes and be a risk to people living in it.
If you want to make sure that your home can handle the icy cold, it’s a good idea to be prepared. These are the most important things you can do to prepare for the season.
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Check Your HVAC System
You must have your HVAC system checked before winter hits. This means calling a professional to ensure that your heater runs well, that your filters are changed enough, and that it’ll keep your home warm and safe regardless of the temperatures outside.
In addition, this is a great time to check the seal on windows and doors to ensure they aren’t leaking in the cold air, which could skyrocket your energy bills.
If You Use The Fireplace: Have it Checked
A large plus for any Vancouver homes for sale is a working fireplace. Unfortunately, if this feature is in disrepair, it can be a hazard to anyone living in the house. Hire a professional to ensure your fireplace is clean, in good shape, and won’t be a risk to your life.
A fireplace can be especially useful in an outage or keep heating costs down, so don’t be afraid to use yours if you need to.
Ensure Your Pipes are Protected
Burst pipes are still a problem that many have to deal with. Fortunately, most modern homes are built with pipes that travel through the house itself instead of the attic, which means that homeowners don’t have to worry. If your pipes are on the exterior or in the attic, and you’re expecting a freeze, you don’t have to panic, though!
Instead, attempt to keep a steady drip of water running from your sinks when the temperatures drop below freezing. This will keep the water moving so it doesn’t freeze and hopefully prevent any expensive repairs. It’s a good idea to seek out some way to winterize your pipes. Winterizing them will ensure that they last longer and that you won’t have to deal with this problem anymore.
Keep Some Simple Necessities On Hand
Some simple necessities can make winter easier. These are items that can help in case the power goes out or you get snowed in. It’s a good idea to keep multiple external phone chargers ready, prepare by storing firewood to keep your home warm and keep extra bottled water on hand.
Although the likelihood of getting snowed in isn’t that high, it’s a great idea to be prepared just in case.
Get Your Lawn Ready Early
Even though many assume lawns need nothing during the winter: they need to be cared for ahead of time so that they’ll last and look good when winter comes.
This means bringing in any lawn furniture that could be damaged from ice and cold, planting any bulb plants that grow better in the winter, and raking and removing any leaves or debris from your lawn.
