As the leaves turn orange and the air grows chilly, it’s time to get your home winter-ready. Wondering why now? Because starting this early helps you identify your needs in advance, get hold of early deals and save the stress of last-minute hassles in cold, frigid temperatures.
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner after moving to Canada, a newcomer renting an apartment, or an international student sharing your accommodation with others, getting your home winter-ready is equally essential to all of you and can be somewhat daunting as well. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! We have a foolproof guide to help you understand the what’s and how’s of the process and set you up for a warm, safe, and worry-free winter.
The Importance of Planning Ahead?
Starting your winter preparation in September allows you to be winter-ready and avoid the chaos of last-minute challenges, making a rewarding experience out of your first winter in Canada. Imagine it’s early December, and as you witness the first snowfall of the year, you – like many others in Canada – are scrambling to schedule maintenance services for your heating unit without any luck because your room is not heating up as much as you want.
Think how the scenario would change if you made a winter home maintenance checklist, researched it well, and acted in advance. This time, as the first snow falls, you're not stressing about your indoor heating gone wrong or outdoor pipes bursting. Instead, you're relaxing with a hot beverage in hand, enjoying the beauty of the white outdoors from your cozy home.
While many people wait until the last minute or don’t know how to get winter-ready, preparing ahead right now means you can prevent specific problems from happening at the very outset and be ready for a confident and safe experience. Plus, you can benefit from early discounts on supplies and services, as many companies offer great deals for early bookings or purchases of winter supplies.
Know The Challenges. Act in Advance.
Your Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
As you weatherproof your home for winter, it’s important to remember that preparing your home isn't just about staying warm –it's also about protecting it from potential challenges. This is what we call “winterizing” your home. Here’s a winter home maintenance checklist you can refer to get started:
Confused? Don’t worry—we will explain these terms step-by-step and how they relate to your home needs.
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Heating System maintenance
Remember, your central heating system is the heart of your home. It is essential to keep it in good condition as it will keep your home warm and not increase your heating bills.
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Home insulation check
Insulation is like a blanket that prevents heat loss, making your home energy efficient and reducing heating expenses.
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Weatherproofing
Winter in Canada is known for unpredictable and dangerous weather conditions. Getting your house winter-ready before the temperature drops to sub-zero will help the property withstand such situations.
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Roof and gutter cleaning
Your roof and gutter are the perfect spots for ice dams to form and possible leaks to happen, which will cause damage to your ceilings and walls if not inspected well.
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Check ventilation and air quality
Due to freezing temperatures and a lack of extensive social networks as a newcomer, you may spend long hours indoors in Canadian winters. It is absolutely necessary to keep the indoor air fresh and breathable. Also, good air circulation can prevent the growth of mold.
Insulating the Inside of Your Home for Winter
Good insulation keeps your home warm and heating bills low during winter. It acts like a sweater for your home, keeping the heat in. The challenge is that when malfunctioning, it might be hard for newcomers unfamiliar with the Canadian lifestyle to detect it immediately.
Did you know that your walls contribute nearly 20% of the heat loss?
Poor insulation of the attic means that heat can easily flow out the roof, making the home colder and damper and pressurizing your heating system. As you check your home/shared unit/basement to see if it is winter-ready and insulated, remember to seal your windows, doors, and other places where cold air can enter. If you are renting, you can contact your homeowner or the property manager, whoever is responsible for the maintenance of your residence.
Quick Tip: Turn off the lights and shine a flashlight around windows and doors to find drafts. If you see light coming through, that’s where cold air is getting in. Sealing these gaps with caulking or weather stripping – available at your nearest home improvement store – can help keep your home cozy and warm.
Maintaining your Central Heating System
Imagine a scenario when you come home after a long work day on one of the coldest days of the season, only to find your house freezing because your heating system suddenly stopped working. Add to this: you also find out that none of the repair service providers are available for an immediate visit at such short notice. We bet every minute spent in such a circumstance can become increasingly unsafe and panic-triggering for you! Now you know how essential it is to ensure your heating system is in good working order before the cold sets in.
Your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system keeps the air in your home clean and healthy. Getting it checked and serviced once a year will allow it to work longer and reduce your heating bills. Plus, it also helps prevent carbon monoxide leaks and ensures efficient heating.
Avoiding frozen pipes
As a first-time homeowner, knowing how to prevent your pipes from freezing in winter can save you from costly repairs and stress. Frozen pipes can burst and cause significant damage, but with these simple precautions, you can avoid the hassle and expense of dealing with burst pipes.
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Pipe protection
Start by insulating your pipes in colder areas like your basement, attic, and garage with heat tapes or self-sealing foam. These can be easily purchased from your nearest home improvement or hardware stores.
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Keep the water moving
When the temperature drops, it helps to let a little bit of water drip from the faucet, which is the farthest from where the water comes into your house. This is like keeping cars moving on a snowy road—it stops the water from freezing and causing problems.
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Travelling precautions
Are you travelling during the holiday season? Remember to set your thermostat to at least 16°C before you leave. It’s also a good idea to let your faucets drip slightly and keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
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Preparing outdoor faucets
If you are someone who has a lovely garden that is watered every spring through summer, then don’t forget to close and drain your outdoor faucets and sprinkler systems. Remember to turn off the water supply, remove hoses, and make sure no water is left to freeze.
Exterior Maintenance
Taking care of the outside of your home is as important as maintaining the inside, especially in winter. Your home exterior is the first line of defence against harsh winter weather. Proper exterior maintenance can prevent structural damage, ensure safety, and save you from costly repairs once the season is over. Here are some ways you can protect your home this winter.
- Roof and Gutter Maintenance: Check your roof and gutter every couple of days for ice buildup to make sure they are clean of fallen leaves or debris.
- Protect Your Landscape: Trim any trees or shrubs that could become dangerous when snow falls on them.
- Prepare Driveways and Walkways: You don’t want to slip and fall, so make sure you have plenty of driveway salt, shovels, and other snow removal equipment to keep your driveway and walkways clear of snow and ice.
- Watch for Snow Buildup on the Roof: If you notice a lot of snow accumulating, consider getting a roof rake or hiring someone to remove it safely.
Know the Challenges. Act in Advance.
Now that you've learned about the critical aspects of getting your home winter-ready let’s explain how planning is the key to saving you time and money and reducing the unnecessary stress of getting everything in order at the last minute. Here is how you can do that:
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Invest in a home humidifier.
Nobody wants to wake up to a nosebleed due to dry air in their home. So how do you avoid that? By investing in a home humidifier, you can increase the humidity and add moisture to your surroundings, keeping the air in your home comfortable and healthy.
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Invest in portable heaters and generators.
As a newcomer, renter or an international student, we often find ourselves living in spaces where we don’t have control over the heating system. This could happen if you are living in the basement or in an apartment where the central heating system can only be controlled by the homeowner. During times like these, portable heaters are your life savers! On top of that, if there is a power outage during the coldest days of the season, you will have your trusted portable generator to provide the warmth and safety you need.
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Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Many people run multiple fuel-burning appliances in winter, as it is the season when you may be baking sweet treats for the holidays or using your fireplace to stay warm and cozy. However, running such appliances could increase the risk of carbon monoxide buildup within your home. So, it’s crucial to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working correctly so you stay safe.
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Keep your thermostat temperature between 20°C - 25° C.
Many believe that turning off or decreasing the temperature of your thermostat saves you money on your utility bills, but this can backfire. Even if you are returning home or travelling to another country to escape the winter, setting your thermostat at a constant, comfortable temperature is key to energy efficiency. For a first-time homeowner, this simple practice will help keep your home energy efficient and prevent you from incurring any additional costs.
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Emergency preparedness.
Power outages may not be expected in Canada, but they do happen – especially during a snowstorm! During times like these, it is crucial to be prepared, and you can do that by having an emergency kit and guide available and ready to use during winter. Keep flashlights, batteries, blankets, non-perishable food, and water prepared in case of a power outage. Store your snow removal tools in an open, visible place to be ready to use when the snow hits.
As a newcomer, winter can be overwhelming and lonely. Identifying your home needs and planning can make the experience much easier. With adequate preparation and following our newcomer’s guide to surviving the Canadian winter, you can be winter-ready and enjoy the cold weather without worrying about unexpected last-minute challenges. While maintaining your home to withstand the harsh winter weather, remember to stay healthy this winter.
If you are still unsure where to begin and need more information, don’t worry! Contact community agencies in your neighbourhood and ask around for help! Even better, search for information sessions on winter preparedness in your local library, community center, faith organization, or even schools. For example, Catholic Community Services of York Region runs several informational sessions across York Region and online throughout the year, which you can sign up for through our events calendar. Apart from information sessions, we also run digital and in-person programs to help you confidently build your new lives and integrate into your new community with happiness. For more inquiries, contact us today and one of our community navigators will get in touch with you soon. Stay safe, and enjoy every part of this new journey!