As of now, the weather outside is bearable. Sometimes it rains cats and gods, but overall, this autumn is pleasing. However, winter is around the corner. Although climate change brings some modifications to fall-outs, we still experience nippy weather.
Now is the right time to make sure our houses are safe and sound until it’s too late. When snow starts falling, it’ll be too late to make some changes and repairs. The first thing that comes to house owners’ minds is whether their windows are reliable. When severe weather hits, windows will be the first to let in the cold. If you haven’t paid due attention to regular windows maintenance, it makes sense to check them and replace them by choosing first-class windows Ottawa.
Windows are not the only thing that needs your attention before winter. If you want to make a comprehensive house check, we’ll tell you what things you need to focus on.
Pre-winter house check
Prevent pipe burst
A comprehensive house check is essential if you don’t want to face enormous repair costs. The worst-case scenario for house owners is a pipe burst. Wherever you have pipes in your house, you need to make sure there are no exposed pipes.
Food for thought. According to Fixr, house owners pay $200-$1000 for a new pipe in case of a pipe burst. On average, expenses reach five hundred dollars. If there’s no major problem and no pipe replacement is required, you can expect about two hundred dollars for a repair. That’s why it would be more cost-effective if you cared about pipe insulation in advance.
Keep your living quarters warm
Bad windows can be the cause of heat leakage. However, if your attic is not insulated, it can also be a major heat leakage cause. You can observe ice forming in your attic. So, there will be no other reason why it’s so cold in your house.
Depending on the area where you live and average winter temperatures, you will need to find out what kind of insulation you need. Even if you spend a great deal of money on this, in the long run, it will contribute to your savings. The most important thing is that it will always be warm inside your house.
Remember about furnace maintenance
A furnace in the house is not only a design feature, but also a heating equipment. As with any other equipment, the furnace needs regular maintenance. According to the National Fire Protection Association, equipment that is used for house heating is the #1 cause of all household fires.
When the cold season is about to come, you need to call a professional to check if everything works properly. If you have some knowledge, you can check yourself, however, it’s best to leave it to the professional. You’ll have a sound sleep knowing that there will not be any fire in your house.
Make sure your roof is reliable
All weather conditions and precipitations have an impact on roof condition. A wise house owner knows that it is essential to check the roof at the end of every season. So, until it’s not too late, while there’s no snow yet, you need to check if there isn’t any damage to the roof covering.
If you live in an area with severe snow grains precipitation, you can expect your roof to be covered in snow. This will put heavy pressure on your roof covering. If it’s not reliable, the roof covering will start shifting. So, there will be open spaces through which moisture comes into your house. It’s an issue for heat leakage and also for mold growth. In the long run, mold can cause severe health problems.
Get rid of clogging in gutters
While it is still autumn, tree leaves fall, and house gutters get clogged. Winds bring even more garbage. After a while, when snow starts falling it lies there until the temperature drops. When there’s no clogging, water will flow freely. However, if you don’t clean gutters, water will start freezing.
That’s why you need to clean gutters. Take a reliable stepladder and make sure nothing will stop water from falling when snow starts melting.
Сut ailing tree branches
Families tend to grow many trees in the backyard. They help make backyard zones and also provide shadows when there’s scorching sun in summer. However, trees may have ailing branches that can be a threat to family members and the house.
Under the snow pressure, they may quickly snap. Just imagine there are kids or someone else under the tree at that moment. You wouldn’t want anyone to get injured. So, make an inspection of your trees in the backyard. If you see an ailing tree branch – cut it.
Conclusion
Now is the best time to make sure your house is ready for winter. If there are any trouble spots, you need to make repairs in advance. Make sure you check windows, roof covering, pipe and attic insulation, clean gutters, and so on. Moreover, pay attention to ailing tree branches in the backyard that can snap under heavy snow.