As we say farewell to the beauty of fall and begin to say hello to the cold days ahead, it’s important to prepare your home for winter to prevent damages. Be sure to tick these 7 items off your list this season so you can rest easy knowing your humble abode is ready to take on those harsh Canadian winter months.

Clean your gutters and downspouts — Grab your ladder and roll up your sleeves (or hire a professional)! Remove all debris that has accumulated from your gutters and downspouts, any blockages could result in water overflows and ice dams. While you’re up there, check to see if everything is in good condition and repair if necessary.

Check your roof — While you have your ladder out from clearing your gutters, check the condition of your roof, too. See if there are any visible signs of damage or any missing/buckled shingles. Its important to repair any damages ASAP to avoid more serious problems down the road!

Shut off exterior faucets and drain hoses — Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures by shutting off exterior faucets before the weather drops below 0. Don’t forget to remove and drain your hoses and find somewhere indoors to store them, this will ensure they are in good working order come summertime.

Check safety devices — Looks like you’ll still need that ladder (or a trusty stool) to test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed. Also, check the expiration on your fire extinguisher and replace if needed.

Clean dryer vents — Not only does lint build up in dryer vents make your dryer work less efficiently, it can even cause a fire. Cool and dry winter months increases static electricity which can also cause a fire. If you aren’t too sure how to do this, you can always enlist duct cleaning specialists to do the job for you.

Schedule chimney cleaning and heating system maintenance — Before you crank the heat on your thermostat or light your indoor fireplace, make sure your chimney and furnace are cleaned, maintained and in working order. Replace the filter on your furnace and if it or your chimney haven’t been serviced in the last year, hire a professional to tune it up for you.

Seal gaps where pests can enter — With the cold weather coming, little critters will want to find a warm place to call home, like your cabinets, attic, or walls. This is not only unwanted but can cause other problems like electrical or insulation mishaps. To keep wildlife outdoors, fill any gaps you see and make sure you have a chimney cover.

If you find any issues while preparing your home for the winter, our partner Tarion has your home covered for those unexpected costs. For more information on what’s covered or if you have any other questions, please reach out to homeowner support at homeownersupport@huroncreek.com.