A harsh and cold winter season is a common thing that many Candians experience on a yearly basis. Luckily, as humans we know how to survive cold spells by staying indoors keeping ourselves protected from the elements. But what about your home? Have you thought about how to protect it during extreme cold temperatures? When it comes to your home, extreme cold weather could pose a challenge to the structural and mechanical integrity of your property as the winter season sets in, so it is important to know how to keep your home protected during a cold winter stretch. In this blog we will give you some tips on what you can do to protect your home during extreme cold which will save you time, money, and unnecessary headaches as you face another winter season.
Disconnect And Store Your Water Pipes
One of the most important things you as a homeowner can do to prevent your outdoor plumbing fixtures from freezing and cracking is to disconnect and store your garden hoses as soon as the weather gets cold. Next, it is a good idea to shut off the water to the outside of your house that connects to any faucets so that you can drain the lines and properly insulate the hose bibs. Doing this is crucial for your home since frozen and cracked water lines can defrost and leak into the interior and exterior of your property in the spring causing water damage.
Seal Any Holes And Cracks
Small holes on the exterior of your house, such as those from cable wires or phone lines can very easily let cold air in, and at the same time, let the hot air out from the inside of your home. To seal holes, you can purchase a can of foam insulation to do the job. For cracks around your windows and doors, you can use weather stripping, caulking, or spray foam insulation to better seal your property from cold winter air.
Clean Your Gutters
If your gutters are full and have not been properly cleaned out before the winter, you can increase the chances of ice buildup on your roof and this could become a serious problem. If you feel that you can’t do the job yourself, contact a specialist so that your gutters won’t pose a risk to the structural integrity of your home when the weather gets very cold.
Keep Your Water Shut Off Accessible
One of the best ways that you can mitigate water damage to your house once a pipe bursts due to extreme cold temperatures is knowing how to shut off your home’s water supply immediately.
Remove any clutter that may be blocking access to your main water shut-off valve so that you can act quickly in case of an emergency. It is also a good idea to make sure that your water shut-off valve is working properly. If you see that the valve is worn out, damaged, or rusted, it is a good idea to replace the valve immediately. In most cases, replacing a water shut-off valve is a job for professional plumbers so be sure to hire a local specialist so that the valve can be properly serviced.
Contact us today so that we can provide you with the best advice on how to keep your home protected from the elements so that your home can have the best possible curb appeal and return on investment once you decide to put it on the market.
