5 Tips to Ensure Your Home is Winter Ready

As the seasons change, so should your home. Getting ready for the winter may not be an exciting task but it is important. Staying on top of your home’s maintenance ensures you spend less time on repairs and increases property value.

Here’s a checklist to that you’ll want to hang onto as you’re winterizing your home.

1. Inspect your roof Your roof does more than just keep the outside from tumbling in, it ensures your home remains intact and your energy bill doesn’t go through the roof (pun intended). For safety purposes, contact a professional to climb up on the roof and inspect the structure and shingles, and to ensure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris.
2. Turn off outside faucets Avoid burst pipes by double checking that all faucets are closed for the winter. If there is water leaking it could freeze over, adding pressure to the pipes causing damage. Having to fix a leak in the cold is a problem you want to avoid.
3. Cover the cracks Unless you have a heated driveway, any open pockets or cracks in the driveway may become an unpleasant patch of ice when the temperatures drop. Walk up and down your driveway and walkways and insert some sealant in openings that should not be there. You’ll want to do this before it gets too cold, because chilly weather could affect the quality of the seal.
4. Seal the windows The best way to prevent your energy bill from going up is to caulk all your window and door frames. To test whether you need to seal them, place a nickel between the glass and trim. If it slides through, it’s time to close the cracks!
5. Book An HVAC Appointment with a Professional You’ll want to schedule an annual appointment to inspect your HVAC system to improve performance and avoid costly repairs down the road. Again, you want to do this before winter arrives in case of issues or delays.

Treasure Hill is a reputable home builder serving the GTA and beyond. Our team ensures all your home buying needs are met. For details on our current and upcoming communities, register at TreasureHill.com.