Winter Proofing your Home

Prepare yourself and your home for the cold weather and blizzards by following these tips:

• Make sure your furnace is working well and hire professional help to clean it. This includes thorough cleaning of all the ducts, filters and supply lines of the furnace. Make sure the thermostat is also functioning properly.
• If you love lightning the fireplace, sweep all the old ashes, if any, and have the chimney properly cleaned up to get rid of bird nests or any creosote build up.
• Purchase a supply of firewood and store it in a dry place.
• Thoroughly examine your windows and doors for any cracked or broken glass. Replace the damaged ones before the cold weather begins.
• Check the windows and doors with caulking, looking for any cracks or gaps in the caulking. Remove the caulking that is cracked or peeling inside, and seal the gaps.
• Block up all the unused chimneys and add weather stripping on external doors to keep cold air from coming into the house during winter.
• Thoroughly clean the roof top, removing any dried leaves and pine needles from the gutters. Also inspect the downspouts for damage or leaking problems.
• Consider replacing all the screen doors of your home with storm doors. Also replace the window screens with storm windows.
• Inspect the wooden window frames for rot or decay.
• To make sure your home remains dry and free from mould all through the winter, regularly clear snow away from doors and windows.
• Do not allow snow to build up on the edge of your roof.
• Buy a shovel. You may need it even if you live in an apartment.
• If you rely on a central heating system, arrange a back up heating source in case the power goes out due to harsh weather conditions.
• Heavy snow may make it impossible for you to even step out of the home, so stock up on as much non perishable food as possible. Do not forget to check for a can opener.
• Make sure you have enough drinking water stocked for the season.
• To prevent freezing in the water pipes, and pipe bursting, leave the water tap slightly open so they drip continuously. In case the water pipes freeze, never use a torch to melt the water inside, instead thaw them slowly with warm air from an electric hair dryer.
• In case of power breakdown, avoid using candles; instead use battery powered flashlights or lanterns.