Are You Ready For Winter?

Get your mini-split checked. Experts recommend that at minimum, you have your mini-split or heat pump checked and professionally cleaned every two years. If it’s been longer than that for you, now is your time. Reach out to the company who did the installation and book an appointment.
Check all caulking and sealing. Rotting caulking and sealing can cause drafts in your home. When cold air is seeping in, your home compensates by making your heating system work harder to keep you and your family warm. Check your windows and doors for air leaks now before the cold weather really sets in.
Inspect Your Base or Foundation. Cracked foundations can cause a lot of trouble, and with the winters like we have on the East Coast of Canada, they’re especially hard to fix in the wintertime. Take a walk around your home now so ensure that there are no visible cracks that will wreak havoc on you later.
Check Your Drainage. While you’re checking your foundation, take a look at the soil around your home. If any of it has settled, it can allow rainwater and snow to pool there and can cause basement leaks. Take some time to fill those low spots with soil and keep the drainage pointing away from your home.
Clean Your Gutters. Now we’ll move from the foundation to the roof. Your gutters can become clogged with leaves and other debris, which can then cause water to run over the sides, and land in places on your property that aren’t ready to receive it. By cleaning out the gutters now, you can save yourself a lot of headaches later.
Clean Your Chimney. Are you running wood heat in your home? Your chimney could be full of creosote from the burning of wood. Take time now to have the chimney cleaned so you can avoid the possibility of a chimney fire. Pro Tip: Now’s a great time to order your firewood.
Test Your Smoke and CO2 Detectors: Smoke and CO2 detectors should be tested twice a year. Timing it with spring and fall, or daylight savings time changes make it easier to remember. We’ve heard of people timing it with the beginning and end of the Major League Baseball season if you’re a ball fan.
Take Care of Outside Water Sources: Drain your outside faucets, and hoses. Turn off the water at the source, and from inside if you have that option. Store your hose indoors for safekeeping. If you have a pool, it’s time to get it ready for snow and ice now.
Prep Your Lawn Equipment: Your lawnmower and gas trimmer are going to be put away, so before you do make sure it’s ready. Either drain the gas from them or add a fuel stabilizer so they don’t’ gunk up your engines come spring.
Cover Your Patio Furniture: If you don’t have the space to store your patio furniture, pile it up as neatly as possible, and cover it with a heavy-duty tarp. Do it on a dry day so you don’t trap moisture in there with your furniture.