Winterizing Your Home

As winter weather approaches, your house will have to be able to deal with increased levels of rainwater, snow and cold. Here are some suggestions to keep you outside having fun on the ski slopes rather than dealing with repairs to your home.

With the increase in periods of heavy rainfall, ensure that you gutters (eaves troughs) and downspouts are in good condition. Check all connections and clear away all debris. Statistically, 90% of wet basements are caused by surface water issues.
Drain all exterior hose bibs to prevent damage caused by water freezing in the pipes.
Check for uninsulated water pipes in unfinished and unheated areas of your home, such as crawlspaces and basements. If you see exposed water pipes, insulate them to prevent them from freezing. This will prevent burst pipes and expensive plumbing repairs/call outs.
Have your heating system serviced. This will ensure that it functions at peak efficiency during periods of high demand.
Clean all exhaust vents in your bathrooms, laundry and kitchen to ensure they function at peak efficiency. It is essential that warm moist air is exhausted from the home to improve air quality and remove conditions suitable for mould and mildew.

If you follow these 5 tips to winterize your home you can rest assured that your home is functioning at its best while you are out enjoying your Squamish Adventure!