Ready for winter?

Simple tasks can make all the di erence when preparing your home for winter. Use these tips to avoid potential damage to your home.
OUTSIDE
To prevent overows and accumulations of ice on the roof, remove the leaves that can clog gutters and prevent water to ow.

IN MINUTES

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ATTIC
Examine attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles. Monitor your home for excessive moisture levels for example, condensation on your windows, which can cause signicant damage over time and pose serious health problems.

FLOWER POTS

Empty them completely. However, you can leave them outside and place them upside down so that water and snow doesnt accumulate inside.

GUTTERS

Disconnect pipes connected to gutters that direct water away from foundations. This will prevent any water ow from freezing.

PIPES

Remove garden hoses, drain and store for winter. A hose left connected to an outside faucet can cause the faucet to freeze and break inside the walls of the home. Bleed all exterior water lines after turning them o and opening them for the winter. Replace the outside lightbulbs. You dont want to be stuck having to change them when weather is bad.

WATERING HOSE

LIGHTS

INSIDE
Remove window screens to allow the heat to warm the glass better. Leave blinds and curtains open at night and wipe the frost at the bottom of the windows in the morning.

WINDOW SCREENS
Clean the lters of accumulated dirt. The drain of the air exchange should be well connected without it dragging on the oor to prevent water from owing during the defrost cycle.

AIR EXCHANGE

WINDOWS AND DOORS

Adjust doors and windows to close properly.

CAULKING

VENTS

Sources: CMHC

Check the perimeter of windows for cracks, and seal them to prevent cold air and water leaks.

Keep snow clear of gas meters, gas appliance vents, exhaust vents and basement windows.

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; QMI AGENCY