Its officially the season of prepping your home for the colder weather! While there are many small tasks and chores to do to get your home and property ready for the heavy snowfall and chilly temperatures, fall is the perfect time to tackle these projects that will ultimately save you time and money. We have compiled a list of important tips to get your home ready for the colder weather in Ottawa!

1. Clean your chimney

   If you have an indoor fireplace, it is so important to clean your chimney every year. When a chimney has build up or even rodents living in them (which is more common than you think…). Using an indoor fireplace does pose risk, if your chimney isn’t clean there won’t be anywhere for the smoke to go. This can lead to soot build up which is dangerous to breathe in. While cleaning a chimney yourself is completely do-able, we recommend hiring a professional to safely clean it for you. 

2. Check your HVAC

We’re sure your A/C unit has been chugging away all summer keeping you cool, but when the colder weather hits you will be turning the heat up! Checking your HVAC and cleaning the coils is very simple but it never hurts to hire a professional if you’re not sure how to check your HVAC system safely yourself. By checking the HVAC, you’ll be more aware of any damage and issues that need to be fixed (like poor heating efficiency). Your HVAC will be running smoothly for another year! 

3. Repair any drafts in windows/doors

One of the most common reasons your heating bill can be through the roof in the colder months, is because its draft windows and doors. Before the cold Ottawa weather hits, we recommend checking the seals around your window and doors to ensure there is no damage, cracks or peeling and repair as necessary. A really great tip we have for checking for drafts is to put a lit candle near the seal, if it flickers there may be a draft! Repairing drafts are easy and cost-effective in the long run. 

4. Clean gutters

The main reason we clean the gutters every season is to prevent build-up from leaves, sticks and dirt that can trap water and freeze in the cold winter months. This can cause flooding in your roof and ceiling causing more headaches in the long run. Luckily, cleaning out the gutters is easy and can be done in a day or two! (Even over a weekend). 

5. Clear walkways

Slips and falls are common in winter (take it from someone who broke her ankle last year slipping on ice!) so clearing your walkways/paths from any overgrown landscaping, loose rocks, uneven interlock and anything else that can get in the way of shovelling the area. 

6. Store any summer equipment

Storing your spring and summer items for the winter is such a sad time of year, but its important putting away things like pool supplies, patio furniture, umbrellas, bikes, toys and even your lawnmower. Drain all hoses and shut off any valves inside your home to prevent freezing. 

7. Trim trees

(Seriously!) This is a big one, many people miss this step. Overhanging branches or older trees can cause substantial damage to homes if a storm or winds hit. While the weather is still warm, trim branches and get rid of any dead trees or broken limbs to prevent any damage in the winter. Purchasing tree trimming equipment would be worth it for the years to come, but you can always hire an arborist to come clean up those trees and branches before the winter season ahead! 

Wrote by Kate Papineau