Prep Your Home Now For The Season Ahead
I hate to say it…but winter’s coming! As the coldness looms and you prepare to crank the heat, it’s important to protect your home from potential damage and expensive claims and repairs. These simple tasks will help you stay warm, safe and energy-conscious this winter.
Prepare your fireplace
Grab a flashlight and look inside for build-up, bird nests or obvious cracks. From the outside, check for broken bricks and crumbling mortar. Ensure that your damper opens, closes and seals tightly. Remember, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned at least every other year. Stock up on wood and kindling, and you’re ready for a comfy, cozy season by the fire.
Seal the windows
Seal drafty windows to keep heat in and energy bills low. First, caulk the cracks. Caulking is inexpensive and easy to apply. Second, cover your windows in a thin plastic film (available at any hardware store) and tape it down with waterproof double-sided tape, heat the edges with a hair dryer and press the protective layer into place.
Clear out the gutters
Clogged gutters block the drainage of rain and melting snow, resulting in household leaks and damage to roof, landscape and foundation. Grab a ladder, a garbage bag, some rubber gloves and dig in. Check that the downpipes are clear of obstruction and direct water away from the house.
Prepare for winter storms
Don’t let a blizzard take you by storm—always have a fully-stocked emergency kit at hand. Feel free to contact us for a list of what to include.
Don’t forget about heating maintenance
Have a professional check your heating system and ensure it’s in good working order before you turn it on. Don’t forget to replace the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Pad your pipes
A small frozen pipe can cause big household damage if it bursts, so pad your pipes to prevent floods. Grab some tubular pipe insulation sleeves from your local hardware store and set to task covering exposed pipes in areas, such as a basement, attic or a crawl space. Finally, seal the seams with duct tape. With that simple task, you’re not only preventing considerable water damage and cost, but also conserving energy.
Clean out your garage
Move what you won’t be needing, lawn-mower, hedge trimmer, rakes and summer toys to the back and bring any winter necessities shovels, snow blowers, skis and sleds to the front. Set out salt and gravel containers, and you’ll thank yourself the first time the ice hits.
As always, having the correct insurance in place can help protect you and your home over this Winter season. Give us a call and talk to one of our insurance experts to find out more or to review your insurance program.
Heritage Insurance
100A Fairford Street
Moose Jaw
306.693.7640