The Best Winter Home Maintenance Safety Tips
Winter weather provides a whole new set of challenges when it comes to home and Property Maintenance Services in Calgary. Use these tips to stay safe in the snow and ice and keep your home in peak condition all year long.
When the seasons change, freezing winter weather can make you want to cozy up by the fire and hibernate the days away. Unfortunately, home maintenance doesn’t take any days off. Even during the coldest months, there’s always work to be done. As you build your checklist for winter, use these tips to help prepare your home and stay safe while doing it. If you don’t have time to maintain your home? You can contact Zodiacps to get Property Maintenance Services in Calgary.
7 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter
A home is a huge investment. Winter offers some especially unique challenges, but with advanced preparations, you can keep the snow and ice at bay. Here are seven key steps to help prepare your home for winter.
- INSPECT YOUR HEATING SYSTEM
After spending the better part of the year sitting idle, it’s time to kick your heating system into high gear. Before temperatures get too low, take time to test all the components. That way, you can identify any potential issues before the freezing weather sets in. we recommended to have your furnace or heating system inspected by a professional annually. They’ll help keep things running efficiently and can perform a carbon monoxide test to check for dangerous gas leaks.
- SHUT DOWN SPRINKLERS
Whether you water by hand or you have a complete irrigation system, sprinklers should be shut down before the first hard freeze. Detach and drain all hoses from the outdoor faucets. This prevents any water left in the line from freezing and potentially bursting pipes. If you’re unable to do this before winter weather arrives, it’s worth having a sprinkler system inspection in the spring to assess any unseen damage that occurred.
- TIDY UP LANDSCAPING
As long as you’re taking care of the sprinkler system, take the time to tidy up the yard. Leaves should be raked or mulched to prevent fungus and mold from developing and to help the lawn get much-needed oxygen. Additionally, do an inspection of the trees and large shrubs around the yard. Remove any broken branches or damaged limbs because they can cause a serious safety hazard when they get loaded with heavy snow and come crashing down.
- INSPECT THE ROOF
The last thing you want when your roof is blanketed with snow is a slow drip coming from the ceiling. The heat radiating from your home is enough to melt the bottom layer and allow water to seep in, even under freezing conditions. At the very least, perform a visual inspection of the roof and look for missing or damaged shingles and flashing seals. If your roof is difficult to access or you just don’t like heights, a professional inspection is a quick and affordable way to assess the condition.
- CLEAN THE GUTTERS
Cleaning the gutters is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. When gutters are full of debris, they will cause a big problem. In addition to damaging gutters and drains, this backup can also damage your roofing, siding, and trim.
- INSULATE WINDOWS AND DOORS
Drafty windows and doors can make your heating costs skyrocket. If you see daylight coming through cracks in window frames, it’s a strong sign they could benefit from fresh caulk or sealing. To really understand where heat is escaping, a thermal imaging inspection helps reveal your energy-loss hotspots.
- CHECK THE FIREPLACE
There’s nothing like a roaring fire on a cold, snowy day. Before you start using this trusted heat source, have it inspected by a professional. They’ll make sure the chimney and surrounding areas are free of debris and buildup that could lead to dangerous carbon monoxide levels or even house fires.
Stay Safe and maintain your property with Zodiacps
When you own a home, sometimes there are jobs that just can’t wait. As you address issues during the winter months, you can get Property Maintenance Services in Calgary to keep your home maintained in winter.
Know Your Equipment. Winter home maintenance comes with all sorts of special equipment. If you’re working with machinery like snowblowers, familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual to ensure you’re running it safely. Also, know the hazards of chemicals like antifreeze or ice melt driveway salt and store them properly.
Evaluate Your Surroundings. Prior to doing any outdoor work, carefully evaluate your surroundings for potential hazards.
Don’t Work Alone. In any season, it’s common sense to have a spotter or buddy system when you’re doing significant home maintenance. This is especially important in winter months, where slippery conditions create additional hazards. Even if you’re doing the job alone, have someone around who can help in case something goes wrong.
When to Use a Professional
Much of the work to be done during winter months can be handled on your own. However, there are certain circumstances that are better left to the professionals.
Schedule a Specialty Inspection With Zodiacps
If you are looking for Design-Build Contractors in Calgary to get Residential Property Maintenance Services in Calgary, you are at the right place. You can contact us 24/7 online.