10 important tasks to prep your home for winter

October 25, 2017

1. Clean your gutters and downspouts
2. Seal drafty gaps around windows and doors
3. Repair and hang up the storm windows
4. Do a visual roof inspection
5. Drain outdoor hoses, faucets and valves
6. Tend to your outdoor spaces
7. Clean or replace your furnace filter
8. Have your heating system checked by an expert
9. Get your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected
10. Ensure your sump pump works properly

by Robert Paul

Winter is the most unforgiving of all seasons. It’s also the worst time of year to discover that your furnace is on the fritz, your roof has become a waterfall, and a family of squirrels are squatting in your chimney.

To help prevent any unpleasant and possibly dangerous surprises (usually around 2 a.m.), here are 10 important tasks to get your home winter-ready before the first snow falls.

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/lissart]

1. Clean your gutters and downspouts

The last time it rained did your gutters back up? Did water gush over the edges? Water is the worst enemy of a home’s siding and foundation. That’s why maintaining your gutters and downspouts is vital: they whisk water away from the roof, sending it where it can do no harm.

Like to know more? Maintenance tips to make gutters and downspouts last longer

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/Johnrob]

2. Seal drafty gaps around windows and doors

Winter energy bills can be steep, especially if your home is losing heat through gaps in windows and doors that could be easily sealed. Why pay to heat the great outdoors? Blocking out cold drafts is among the most cost-effective ways to slash your monthly utility bills.

Like to know more? 5 steps to weatherstripping your home for winter

3. Repair and hang up the storm windows

If you’re among the many people who live in an older home, you’ll know that storm windows are a traditional way to attack heat loss in winter by adding an “extra” layer of insulation. Although their installation can be a hassle, the money you’ll save makes it worth the effort.

Like to know more? Maintaining storm windows to keep the cold out

[Photo credit: iStock.com/wabeno]

4. Do a visual roof inspection

Although certain roof issues may only be obvious to a roofing expert, you should still inspect your roof for such things as damaged shingles, corroded flashing or leaky vents. They’re easy-to-spot problems that are cheaper to fix now, rather than later, before the damage is done.

Like to know more? What to look for when inspecting your roof

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/Boogich]

5. Drain outdoor hoses, faucets and valves

Whether it’s in garden faucets, valves, pipes or hoses, any water that remains will do exactly what you’d expect when the temperature outside plummets: freeze and expand. The risk? It could damage these components, especially your hose, unless you ready them for winter.

Like to know more? Hints to extend the life of your garden hose

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/skhoward]

6. Tend to your outdoor spaces

Prepping your outdoor spaces for winter will ensure lush growth in spring and help to prevent damage to your home’s foundation in spring. That includes trimming overgrown branches, bringing outdoor furniture inside and aerating and fertilizing the lawn.

Like to know more? 12 ways to prep your garden for winter

[Image Credit: iStock.com/Imgorthand]

7. Clean or replace your furnace filter

Clogged filters make it harder to manage the temperature in your home, which means your furnace must work harder to keep the warm air flowing. The result? You’ll wind up paying extra for higher oil, natural gas or electricity consumption, depending on how you heat your home.

Like to know more? 4 steps to prepare your furnace for savings all winter

8. Have your heating system checked by an expert

Although regular DIY maintenance of your home heating system is a must, so is having it inspected by a heating system expert. He or she will be able to quickly spot and remedy issues that may not be apparent to the average homeowner.

Like to know more? 4 helpful tips for hiring a heating contractor

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/IndyEdge]

9. Get your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected

If you love the cozy crackle of a roaring fire on the hearth, but haven't had your chimney cleaned recently, you're putting both you and your family's safety at risk. A certified chimney inspector can pinpoint any issues that may exist and remove debris that poses a fire hazard.

Like to know more? 5 reasons to clean and inspect your chimney before winter

[Image Credit: iStock.com/Bill Oxford]

10. Ensure your sump pump works properly

A broken or inefficient sump pump in spring when the snow melts could prove disastrous: flooded basements, soggy carpets, ruined sheetrock and damaged electronics can be the result. That’s why you should check if your sump pump is doing its job properly and replace it if it isn’t.

Like to know more? How much does it cost to replace a sump pump in Canada?

[Photo Credit: iStock.com/ozgurcoskun]