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Hello friends!

I hope that you are all enjoying whatever may be left of summer and that you have had lots of fun gatherings and adventures! I intend on squeezing out every minute of outdoor fun before fall hits us.

But, when even I can't deny that summer may be wrapping up, we turn our attention for preparing for the inevitable. Yes, there is the eager anticipation of another hockey season starting but there are also things like booking an appointment to have the winter tires put on, and getting prepared for the impending change to not summer. To make this transition easier around home I am going to give you some friendly reminders of those pesky tasks that will need to be done.

Winter Proofing Your Home..there, I used the W word...

Clean the Gutters: Remove leaves and debris, unclog drains, and rinse away any dirt. This will extend the life of your gutters and help water drain easier once the blizzard then chinook cycle starts. Also, this is a good time to trim back branches that may be hanging over your eaves. Doing this can make the first part of this job a whole lot easier. Also, be sure to direct downspouts away from house to prevent water leakage or flooding when things start melting

Check and Fix Leaks: Check your home for any indoor and outdoor leaks and drafts. Drafts can be checked by using a lighter and watching for a flickering flame. If the flame flickers, there are issues. Places to check: Electrical sockets, door jams, and windows. Some areas can easily be fixed by caulking around the areas with leaks. While doing this also pay attention to any spots that critters may be able to enter. Even mice start thinking of hunkering down in the fall. Make them feel unwelcome by sealing up even the tiniest openings that the little jerks can get through. 

Insulation: Add more insulation to the existing insulation in the attic. This will warm your home and cut down on the heating bill

Furnace: Get the furnace cleaned and checked once per year. Also, change the furnace filters monthly when it is being used a lot.  Doing so will help your furnace perform better. A friend of mine has a furnace filter subscription on Amazon. From October-May they get a furnace filter delivered every month and this is the reminder to change it. How easy is that?  Any furnace technician I have talked to has said that the cheaper filters work just as well as the expensive ones as long as you change them every month.

Windows: Windows will eventually need to be replaced because of the shifting of the house over a period of time. If the windows haven’t been replaced in 20 years, it might be time to check into cost and when they can be replaced. If you cannot replace the windows, then a window insulator kit which will help keep the cold out may be useful.

Chimney: Have a professional clean the chimney so you won’t have issues when you light the first fire of winter. If you use a wood burning fire place a lot then this should be done each year.

Ceiling Fans: The ceiling fan can be used for both summer and winter. Reverse the direction that you used in the summer for winter use, and it will distribute warm air throughout the room.

Outdoor Water: When you are ready to do so, and before the nights get cold, turn off the valves leading to the outdoor taps. Let any water in the pipes drain out to prevent it from freezing and bursting pipes.