As a homeowner, winter-proofing your house is crucial when it comes to your family's safety, and your wallet.

With the impending arrival of winter, the cold temperatures and snowy weather will be taking a toll on your home. Without proper preparations and TLC, what you thought was your cozy home can quickly turn into a costly and potentially life-threatening nightmare.

So what steps can be taken in getting your home ready for the frigid Albertan winter?

Adam Boccinfuso, owner of BOCC Home Inspections in Airdrie, says there are many preventative measures homeowners need to take before the winter sets in. Neglecting to take these precautionary winter preparations can cost you an arm and leg... both figuratively and literally.

Boccinfuso shares one of the most important tips to consider when getting your home ready for winter.

"Now's the good time, if any, to have your furnace serviced and cleaned. Make sure it's up to par and running well because if a furnace is going to quit, it's going to be when it's minus thirty."

In addition to this tip, he shares others that are often overlooked.

  • ensure your downspouts are all down for the winter season (they should be down year-round anyway)
  • ensure your exterior water lines are shut off and winterized
  • drain your exterior hoses that you've had on all summer, wrap them up and store them inside so they don't freeze and burst over the winter season
  • empty out your lawnmower bag and store any motorized tools you own indoors
  • have your fireplace looked at by a professional to ensure that it runs properly, as it will be used the most during winter
  • if you have pets, a lot of fur and dander can gather under the fireplace which becomes a fire hazard, have that cleaned out
  • have your dryer and vent line cleaned out and ensuring the vent flap is fit in place; small birds like to nest inside there for warmth
  • shovel out your window wells when they get full of snow, make sure theres at least 6 inches of space between your window and the washrocks to allow snow to melt and go somewhere as it can go through the window
  • if you have vegetation around the roof of your house, make sure trees are cut back and trimmed so the weight of the snow doesn't potentially break a branch and land on your roof
  • the furnace and hot water tank vent lines and intakes on the side of your home, if they are high efficiency, make sure they don't have ice build up because if they freeze or fill with snow, they'll back up and shut off putting your furnace or hot water tank in lock-out mode and you'll need to get those serviced
  • have a qualified roofing specialist or a roofing inspector have a look at your roof to make sure there are no missing shingles or damaged vents, this can help avoid leaks and further damage
  • make sure the fascia is in place properly

 

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