Is Your Home Ready For The Worst Of The Weather?

Winter is on the way but is your home prepared? Here are some of the things you need to think about before the cold weather kicks in. 

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Insulation
The first step that you should think about is your home insulation. You can learn more about home insulation on https://www.canadahomeinsulation.ca/. If you have poor insulation, you’re going to find it incredibly difficult and expensive to keep your home warm over the winter months. So, how do you know if there is an issue with your insulation? 

Well, you can usually feel it. If you move your hand around the space close to the window panes, you might find that you can feel cold air. This is a clear sign that your home is not keeping the warm air in and cold air out. You might also notice moisture between the panes of glass that does not rub away when the windows are cleaned. Again, this is a telltale sign that you need to take action and make a change. 

You should think about getting your windows replaced. The benefit of doing this is that you will immediately see a change in your heating bills. While getting windows changed can be expensive it’s going to be worth it in the long run. Ideally, you want to opt for double or triple glazing and this will provide more benefits than just keeping the warm air inside through the winter. It can also help issues with noise pollution inside your property. 

If you don’t have the money in your budget for a new set of windows, then you might want to think about opting for thicker curtains instead. With thicker curtains, you can have the same impact for a fraction of the price. Thicker curtains aren’t a full solution but they can be a cost-friendly stopgap. 

Don’t forget, it’s not just the windows. You might have cracks and crevices in your home walls. If that’s the case, you should make sure that you are consulting a specialist. They will be able to check issues here and ensure that you are not losing heat through any smaller cracks that may have gone unnoticed.

 

Heating System
Do think about whether your heating system is up to the challenge of the winter season. It’s possible that you may need to think about getting a repair or even a replacement. A replacement can cost a fortune, so you want to avoid this where possible. The best way to do this is to make sure that you are getting your heating system checked on a regular basis. You can arrange for an expert to do this on a schedule. They’ll make sure that you don’t have to worry about a minor issue becoming a massive repair. 

You may also want to make sure that you are aware of the signs that there is an issue with your heating system. There are a few points to watch out for here. The most important one for you is probably going to be your heating bills climbing out of control. You might also notice that your heating system is a tad temperamental. If you’re struggling to get hot water when you want or need it, then you should definitely think about replacing your heating system sooner rather than later. You can see more signs on https://www.plumbinghelptoday.com/about-us/blog/.

Ideally, you should check your heating system through Autumn, before the chilly system kicks into high gear. 

 

Roof Repairs

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The next issue to think about is roof repairs. The problem with the roof is that we don’t often notice an issue here. After all, how long do you spend staring up at your roof? The only way you’re likely to notice an issue with your roof is if you head into the attic and happen to notice some light shining through. Again, this could be a while and may not be until you head up there to get out the festive decorations. 

That’s a problem because if you have a hole in your roof – even a small a hole – it can quickly grow out of control. For instance, it’s possible that it snows this year. When this melts, if there is a hole in your roof, it’s going to cause problems with damp. That could then lead to insect infestation that will be attracted to the rot. Like the heating system, if you catch an issue with your roof early, you can reduce the cost and ensure that the problem is resolved before it causes an issue through winter. 

You can also get your roof inspected after a storm and you should. Even if there is no issue, then this will guarantee that you get the peace of mind that you don’t have to worry about the roof over the winter season. 

 

Plumbing
You might not be aware of this, but you can have issues with plumbing over the winter period. There are two main problems to be aware of here. The first problem is the permeable layers outside. It’s possible that the soil outside your home is not permeable. If that’s the case, then you are going to find that water builds around your garden and other areas. Then when the water builds, it can begin to impact the foundations of your property. This is why you are going to start to get water in the basement or find the walls begin to get damp. You can address this problem with a sump pump, but you should also address the main cause. 

A landscaper will be able to help you add a higher level of permeability to your land. While this process can be a little expensive it can be worth it if you constantly find that your home looks like it’s in the centre of a lake after it rains. Furthermore, when it snows, this can add a massive level of water over a short period when it starts to melt. 

The other issue to be aware of is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes are always going to be a risk when the temperature drops below zero. You can typically avoid this by ensuring that you keep your heating on low constantly. However, this is going to drive your energy bills up so a lot of people do avoid it. If you do have an issue with frozen pipes then it’s recommended that you think about calling in a professional plumber. According to sites like https://www.mrrooter.ca/vancouver/, it’s easy to resolve an issue with frozen pipes when you contact the right team for the job. 

 

Go Green 

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As you might have guessed, one of your main concerns through winter should be how much it is going to cost you in energy bills. There are a few ways to handle this issue and you can read about some solutions on https://saveonenergy.ca/. First, you can think about upgrading your tech and heating equipment. If you do this, you should make sure that you are opting for equipment that is at least an A grade. You can also think about getting a portable heating system. The benefit of this is that it will take the chill off the room. So, you can make sure that you don’t have to worry about needing to push the thermostat to the max. 

People are often worried about whether these type of portable heaters are safe. However, if you make sure that you are buying from a reputable source and opt for a trusted model, then you should have no issues here. You just need to make sure that you are switching the device off before you go to bed. 

 

Power Outages
Finally, you might find that you have issues with power outages over winter. The problem with this is that you might find that the power goes off at the most inopportune moments. That’s why you should make sure that you have torches around your home, ready for winter. You should also consider different entertainment options too. For instance, you can think about investing in some board games. This is a great option if you are thinking about ways to keep your kids entertained during a blackout. 

You can also think about getting portable batteries for your most important tech as well. As long as these are charged before you lose power, you’ll still be able to access these devices and that can be a lifesaver. Particularly, if you want to make sure that you can avoid the boredom of what can be several hours with no power.

Of course, the main thing to think about is safety. It’s true to say that homes without power are a little more vulnerable to issues with theft. That’s why you should make sure that you are opting for a backup power supply. These can easily be installed in your home with ease and are quite simple to use. Some will automatically kick in when you’re home loses power, creating a seamless transition. This is fantastic news and guarantees that you don’t have to worry about a painful process of fiddling with technical issues in the darkness. 

 

We hope this helps you determine whether your home is prepared for winter. While there’s quite a lot to do, you have plenty of time to get everything in order and avoid the typical icy headaches.