MD House by Alric Galindez Arquitectos

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Curated by Aline Chahine | 
February 25, 2020
| Est. Reading: 3 minutes

Canadian winters are notoriously tough. Even if you don’t personally get a lot of snow anymore, you still need to deal with freezing rain, hail, and harsh winds. Though our homes are built to withstand our winters, time is the enemy to all. No matter how well built your property was, age will get the better of it. Rooves will need to be redone, windows replaced, and insulation added, and that’s just the maintenance. 

To truly prepare for the future, you need to remove yourself as much as possible from the increasing cost of energy. Rural communities, in particular, get hit hard by the delivery fee on energy, and that is why when you prepare for winter this year it is best to look into these investments for your property. 

Insulating and Sealing Your Home Head to Toe 

Our homes tend to be well insulated, except in a few key areas. Garages, attics, and basements notoriously lack insulation and this cold creeps into your property. Attics, in particular, are a risk, because if they are unsealed and uninsulated, they are a prime place for rodents such as rats or raccoons to get in and take up residence. 

Their presence leads to rot and a decrease in your home’s health. Dealing with the issue on your own can often prove fruitless, which is why Attic Projects services include rodent proofing. Seal all entrances to your attic, seal it, and insulate it so keep your home warm and dry.

Do the same for garages, especially if there is a room above them, and then again with your basement. Only once your home is insulated top to bottom will you see a massive decrease in energy usage. 

Invest in Alternative Energy 

Solar panels work with or without direct sunlight and can be installed right onto the rooftops. Cost for solar panels has also dropped significantly, and by installing these onto your roof or on your property can do wonders towards reducing your energy usage. It is the best interest of rural communities to try to get off the province grid as much as possible. 

Other alternative energy options include solar water heaters and air heating systems. Both are very efficient, though you will need to work with a specialist in order to choose a system that can be sustained through harsh winters. 

Fix Exterior Issues Now 

If paint is flaking now, it is best to sand it down, repaint it, and reseal it. Cracks in paint indicate that the seal on the exterior of your home has worn down, and the upcoming winter will likely result in expanding and contracting wood. 

Go around and inspect your entire property and make the necessary fixes now so that a small problem doesn’t become a big one when the snow finally melts. 

Stock Up On Winter Supplies 

Check your storage to ensure that you have enough supplies to last through winter. This doesn’t necessarily mean food, but rather things like road salt, winter tires with enough tread left on them, and more. You don’t want to be caught after a sudden deep freeze and be unable to get out of your driveway because the ice is so smooth you slide without any traction. 

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