Winterizing is one of the most essential parts of preparing for the colder months in the Greater Toronto Area. Without making important repairs to your home before the first snow of the year, you could be in for some bad surprises when the snow melts. Here are some repairs we recommend you make before winter:
Clear Gutters and Downspouts
During the fall, lots of leaves will come off the trees and land in your gutters, clogging them before the first snow. When frost sets in, those leaves start to freeze and cement themselves in place for the rest of the winter.
In addition, clearing your gutters is a good time to find out if there is any damage or any leaks in the gutter. During the winter, these leaks can result in icicles, which are a hazard for anyone.
The biggest reason to clear your gutters and downspouts is that if they are not working correctly, rain will fall directly off your roof and saturate the ground around your foundation walls with moisture. An increase in moisture for a prolonged period results in cracks and leaks, which put your home in major danger.
Fix Cracks and Leaks in Your Foundation
If there is a crack or a leak in your foundation already, now is the time to get it fixed, before the cold sets in. Over the course of a winter those cracks and leaks will get worse and worse. The combination of the rapidly changing temperatures of winter and the higher moisture level impact your basement’s stability to begin with, and a crack already in the foundation makes it worse.
Avoid Window Well Leaks
As all basements in the Greater Toronto area are now required to have window wells along their basement windows, proper water proofing for that area is key. There’s a chance that during the winter a lot of snow will fall into your window well, and it may lead to a leak into your home. By installing a drain in the window well or a window well cover, you can prevent this additional danger from winter.
Window Maintenance, Replacement and Repairs
Its a great idea to ensure your existing windows are properly maintained and sealed to ensure a dry home environment. Give the folks at AZ Valley Windows a call for all of your window replacement questions!
Make Sure Your Basement is Waterproofed
Waterproofing is your #1 defense against the changes to the soil, temperature, and pressure against your home in the winter. Waterproofing prevents new leaks and cracks, analyzes the soil structure to determine what exactly your home needs, and keeps you safe all winter.
If you are preparing for winter and need any of these services performed, reach out to GJ MacRae here for a quote.
