Manitoba’s winters are notoriously harsh. As a result, for your health and the structural integrity of your home, you should perform proper winter home care. While you wait for winter to arrive, concentrate on the areas listed below.
WATER PIPES Water pipes are prone to bursting due to the expansion and contraction of water caused by freezing and unfreezing. To avoid this, keep the house warm to prevent pipes from freezing, let faucets drip during cold spells, insulate exposed piping, repair gaps and fractures in the walls, and call a plumber as soon as pipes freeze and water stops flowing from faucets.
DAMS OF ICE
Icicles, while beautiful during the holidays, are extremely harmful because they prevent water from melting snow from escaping. When it’s freezing outside, the heat from your home can melt and re-freeze snow and ice on your roof, causing ice dams. The water will work its way up the shingles, causing serious damage.
FOUNDATION
Your house has no chance if your foundation is ruined. Because you won’t be able to repair your foundation without tearing down your house, the best you can do is minimize the impact of snow and ice on the foundation. This can be accomplished by moving snow away from the house and preventing it from accumulating against the foundation.
GUTTERS
To ensure that water is adequately drained from the roof, unclog the gutters. Blocked gutters, which are a regular problem throughout the winter, can cause roof damage (when water seeps through the roof) and foundation flooding. Pruning trees around the house that may be hanging towards the roof and gutters is a good idea.
ELECTRICAL AND GAS LINES, WINDOWS, DOORS, PLUMBING AREAS, LIGHT FIXTURES, AND MAIL CHUTES ELECTRICAL AND GAS LINES, WINDOWS, DOORS, PLUMBING AREAS, LIGHT FIXTURES, AND MAIL CHUTES
To keep warm air from escaping the house, weatherstrip electrical and gas lines, windows, doors, plumbing areas, light fixtures, and postal chutes (and cold air from entering the house). Conduct an audit to confirm that all air leaks have been addressed.
FANS AND EXTERNAL VENTS
Because side exhaust vents, rooftop vents, and fans are on the outside of the home, they are frequently covered by snow. Even if the vents are not completely clogged, you can take care of them by cleaning the snow after a large snowstorm.
FILTERS FOR THE AIR
During the winter, doors, windows, and any other openings that allow air to escape are normally sealed shut. This implies that the air filter collects the dirt and dust that we track in with our shoes. Because of the clogging caused by the collection of dirt and dust, the furnace will have to work harder, resulting in higher energy consumption. If you don’t change the air filters every few months to avoid clogging, you’ll have to hire furnace repair services.
FURNITURE FOR THE OUTDOORS
Cover all of your outdoor furniture to keep it safe during the winter. This includes things like couches, pool toys, and grills.
Read our Important Winter Remodel Considerations if you’re contemplating a winter renovation.
Winnipeg Renovations offers a variety of home repair and maintenance services to help you winterize your home. To speak with one of our professionals, email us at [email protected] or call us today at 204-289-0844.