Quick Tips to Winterize Your Home

Posted by steve7876 on May 2nd, 2017

It is no surprise to Calgarian’s that our weather is as unpredictable at best – especially in the winter months. Even though we may be blessed with regular chinooks, our temperature dips well below the freezing mark more often than we care to admit. If you don’t handle the freezing weather well, imagine what kind of stress it can cause to your house. To help you prevent any future home emergencies, the restoration specialists at Phoenix have complied a short list of ways to help you winterize your home.

Remove Branches that are too close to your house
In the winter months, we see our fair share of snowfall. Calgary sees an average of 126cm of snowfall annually – most of which occurs during the winter months. Heavy snowfall can translate into branches accumulating snow and possibly falling onto your home. Cut down any branches that may pose the threat of falling and damaging your home.

Prevent frozen water pipes
The average low temperature in Calgary during the winter months is around -13.5 degrees Celsius. That being said, Calgarian’s know that we see our fair share of -20 or below temperatures. The pipes in our homes are designed with cold temperatures in mind, but quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low can cause a pipe to freeze. Both Copper and plastic pipes can burst when they freeze, leaving you with a water damage nightmare. Insulating Pipes, fixing seal air leaks (which let cold air inside), keeping your thermostat above 12 degrees Celsius, disconnecting garden hoses, and shutting off the supply to outdoor faucets are great measures to help prevent frozen/burst pipes this winter.

Check your Heating System
Before winter begins, it may be a great idea to get routine maintenance done on your furnace. Call in a heating professional and get your furnace checked out. Replace filters if needed, vacuum furnace interior, check the fan belt and lubricate the oil bearings. This will ensure your furnace is running efficiently, and may even save you money on energy costs!

Clean gutters to get rid of any fall leaves that build up
Clean your gutters! Gutters that are full of leaves will trap water in the winter and may result in a backup of water underneath the roof. When temperatures fluctuate in the winter, it can cause ice dams. Ice dams happen when snow melts over the heated area of the roof and runs down to the unheated eaves and refreezes.Ice dams cause water from melting snow to back up under singles and roof, creating leaks in the home. That’s when you will have to call Phoenix to repair Water Damage Calgary. Unblocking the eaves will help the water flow properly.

Insulate doors and windows 
Did you know that approximately 30% of a home’s heat escapes through small cracks and holes under doors and around windows? Inspecting doors and windows for drafts will help you determine what needs some attention. Use caulking, spray foam, or weather stripping around windows and doors. The result will be a more evenly heated home and reduction in utility costs!

If you do run into problems like burst pipes and water damage during the winter, call the trusted professionals from Phoenix Restoration. Our phone lines are answered 24/7 to help you take care of any emergency restoration needs that may pop up!

Email  : sales@phoenixfirst.ca

Website:  http://phoenixfirst.ca/calgary-water-sewer-damage/

Phone  : 1 (844) 903 3737

Address: Suite 600 - 5920 Macleod Trail south Calgary, Alberta