With climate change, we’re seeing an increase in the frequency, severity and duration of severe weather events.
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we → see → events
So, are you prepared for what winter might throw your way?
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winter → throw → what
“We really only think about these things when we know bad weather is coming,” said Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
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Thomas → think → Canada
But autumn is an ideal time to start thinking about winter-proofing your home.
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autumn → start → home
Here are nine ways to ensure your home is prepped — no matter what winter might throw at it.
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winter → ensure → it
With blowing snow and blustery winds, “all it takes is for one shingle to be a little bit curled, and the wind to grab that shingle, and next thing you know half of your roof is gone,” said Thomas.
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Thomas → blow → roof
If your roof needs repair, have it fixed as soon as possible.
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it → need → repair
“If they’re not clear, the ice forms what they call dams, and that’s never a good thing,” said Thomas.
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Thomas → ’re → what
In other words, you want to ensure water can properly drain off your roof when the snow and ice starts to melt.
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snow → want → roof
Prep your plumbing
Before the temperature plummets, drain and shut off any exterior faucets, such as the hose bib where you attach a garden hose.
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you → prep → hose
Also insulate any exposed pipes that run through any unheated areas of your home, like a crawl space, attic or garage, using insulation sleeves or pipe wrap.
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that → insulate → sleeves
4. Service your furnace
It’s a good idea to have your furnace inspected and serviced in the fall to catch any small issues early — rather than having it conk out during a blizzard.
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it → service → blizzard
If your furnace is getting on in age, you may want to replace it with a newer model, such as an Energy Star-certified model that can help to reduce heat loss (and reduce your energy bill).
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that → get → bill
5. Inspect your fireplace
If you have a fireplace, have it inspected in the fall.
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it → inspect → fall
A buildup of creosote — the tar-like substance left after wood is burned — can create a fire hazard in wood fireplaces.
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wood → leave → fireplaces
But gas fireplaces can have issues, too: A blockage or venting problem could create performance or safety hazards.
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problem → have → hazards
During winter, when the fireplace isn’t in use, keep the damper closed to prevent cold drafts from entering your home.
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fireplace → keep → home
6. Seal any gaps
Another preventative measure is to seal any gaps where drafts can come into your home or where melting ice or snow could rot the drywall or exterior trim.
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ice → seal → drywall
Caulking can be used for gaps and fixed joints around window and door frames, while weatherstripping products — such as adhesive-based insulation foam and V-strips — can be used for moving parts, like door jams and window sills.
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products → use → jams
7. Prep your driveway
When winter comes, you’ll want to keep your driveway clear of snow and ice.
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you → prep → snow
If you need a shovel or snowblower, now is a good time to buy one.
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time → need → one
During a major winter storm, your local hardware store might sell out — fast.
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store → sell → storm
You can also arrange for a service provider to clear your driveway if you’re unable to do it yourself.
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you → arrange → it
In some municipalities, homeowners are responsible for clearing snow and ice off the sidewalk in front of their property within a specific timeframe.
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homeowners → clear → timeframe
If you’re unsure, “find out what your responsibilities are regarding ice and snow clearing from around your area,” said Thomas.
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Thomas → ’re → area
Otherwise, you could face municipal fines or be held liable if someone slips and falls on an uncleared sidewalk in front of your home.
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someone → face → home
Plan for absences
If you’re planning to be away for any period of time during the winter, arrange to have a friend, neighbour or family member check on your home — even if you’re gone for just a week.
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you → plan → week
“Maybe when you’re gone, that’s when the furnace decides to conk out,” said Thomas.
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Thomas → go → ?
“Anything can happen, so have someone come in and do a literal temperature check.”
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someone → happen → check
If you’re going to be away for more than 30 days, talk to your insurer.
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you → go → insurer
“You don’t want to find out that after a loss you didn’t have coverage because you didn’t inform your insurance company,” she said.
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she → want → company
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