A Couple Last Minute Items to Check Off Your Fall To-Do List
The Winter Weather isn't Here Yet, So There’s Still Time to Get Your House in Order
You know what the best part about winter is?
Nothing.
But, it’s a reality we all have to face here in Canada, as we spend six cold months working on our ice tans, restraining ourselves from daily fights with the snow plow guy, and spending all of our spare money and time on hockey-related equipment, fees, trips and coffees on behalf of our children. Would you have it any other way? Oh you would? Fair enough. Well at least the kids are in school. Amirite parents?!Whether we like it or not, winter is going to happen. But, there’s still time to check off a few last minute items as we get ready to face, well, you know.
Winterize the Outdoors
Personally, I always start by putting away all the outdoor furniture, and winterizing the outdoor equipment we (sadly) won’t be using for the following 6 months. So, drain all your garden hoses and put them away, close the shut-off valves to those outdoor taps to make sure the pipes don’t freeze, and prepare your gardens by protecting young trees or bushes.
You also want to make sure that your eaves-troughs and roof are free and clear of leaves and branches to allow proper drainage from the roof. Cover up your AC unit to save you some cleaning work in the spring, Trim trees and bushes away from the house, as well as any larger limbs that could potentially break under heavy snow and cause expensive damage. And – this is a big one – ensure that the grading will direct excess water away from your foundation. It’s an important step that will prepare you for the spring thaw and avoid costly foundation or basement damage.
Finally, every fall I tell the in-laws we’re spending winter in Florida so they don’t visit for six months. It takes a lot of commitment to pull this off every year, but it pays off by increasing your levels of happiness and sense of self-worth. (I’m kidding, I got nothing but love for those old codgers!)
Now Tackle the Indoors
It’s recommended that you service your furnace or heating system by a qualified service company every two years for a gas furnace, every year for an oil furnace, or as recommended by the furnace manufacturer. It’s never fun paying for that sort of work, but it usually pays off in the long run by extending the life of these expensive pieces of equipment.
You’ll also want to change all of your air filters and clean any dust and debris out of your ducts. If you’re planning to do any wood heating during the winter, be sure to examine your chimney for obstructions such as nests. It doesn’t hurt to have it swept, while you’re at it – you definitely want to avoid creosote build-up, which is a dangerous fire hazard
Don’t forget that your windows are going to be closed for six or seven months in the colder seasons, which means the indoor air quality will suffer unless you have an HRV and secondary air filters in your system. If you have a humidifier, make sure you clean and test it. Also be sure to check that the bathroom exhaust fans and range hoods are operating properly, which help to keep the humidity levels in check during the winter. You should target 40 per cent humidity in your home to reduce unwanted condensation and to keep you healthy
And like the spring, I always give our house a good scrub (by paying a professional to do it for me! Ain’t nobody got time for that!)
Seal Things Up
The last thing you’ll want to do is make sure the house is sealed up nice and tight, so that the heat you generate (and pay handsomely for in Ontario) isn’t finding its way outdoors.
It’s wise to start by removing interior screens from windows to encourage the air from your furnace to keep condensation off window glass, and to encourage more solar (and free!) energy to make its way into your home. And then make sure all those windows, including any skylights, are well-sealed. Make sure that damaged weather-stripping is repaired or replaced, as needed. You can usually feel the cold air coming in if it’s not.
Do the same with your doors – make sure they close up tightly, and check all of them for ease of use. Again, you’ll want to check out the weather-stripping. And if you have a fireplace, particularly a wood burning one, have a look at the damper to make sure that you have a good seal to stop heat loss when it’s not in use
Finally, and most importantly, teach your kids to shut the door. If you are able to realize this incredible accomplishment in child-rearing, please call me and tell me how.
Bits and Bobs
A few other items worth doing before the snow flies:
Vacuum your electric baseboard heaters to remove dust.
Change out your furnace filters every two months during the heating system.
Check your smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms, and replace dead batteries.
Check your duct-work for holes, and make sure the joints are tightly sealed.
Buy lots of coffee, if you have kids, to make sure it is always readily available (especially if they are between the ages of 0 and 99).
That's it!
Hopefully you’ve started on some of this work already, but if not, there’s still a bit of time. Personally, I believe it’s good to build some strong seasonal habits to make sure you are managing your property well, and there’s no better time to do so than during transition seasons. Or, you can just move to Florida. It saves you lying to your in-laws!
Happy Fall!