Winters in Canada can be harsh. This is why you should pay special attention to house maintenance. Then you will be able to stay away from encountering numerous problems that can take place in the long run. While keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at 7 tips on how to maintain your house during Canadian winters.

Make sure your gutters and drainage systems are in working order.

You’ll want to be prepared for more rainfall throughout the winter months. Despite the fact that gutter cleaning isn’t enjoyable, it might save you money in the end. It is possible to extend the life of gutters and decrease the risk of roof damage by maintaining them properly.

When a gutter becomes blocked, it may overflow and crack, placing additional stress on the roof. When it freezes over, the gutters are put under a lot of stress. It doesn’t matter whether you have sophisticated equipment or are doing it the old-fashioned way:

• Set your ladder firmly against the house’s side. Make sure it is on level ground and that someone is holding it.
• With a tiny shovel, remove the soil. Don’t leave it on your lawn; instead, place it in a trash bag or on a tarp.
• Using a garden hose, thoroughly clean the gutters.
• Most of the time, gutter guards aren’t worth the trouble. They may make it hard to clear your gutters, which is a lot of work for little benefit.
• Inspect for any further indications of drainage problems after cleaning.
• Basement water damage stains and mildew may be seen in the attic and basement, respectively. Mildew and water damage are both signs that your drainage system, especially in older houses, isn’t moving the water far enough away from your property.
• Your attic and basement can begin to smell wet if water is leaking back into the foundation. Extending your downspout may be the answer to this problem.
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Check the Sump Pump

Condensation buildup, floods, and drain water are all combated by sump pumps. Take a look at the pump before it freezes up. If it doesn’t work, you risk flooding your basement and damaging your foundation.

Check the exit pipe for dirt and debris after you’ve located it. Remove any obstructions that may be present. Make sure that the water is being diverted away from the foundation of your house. If your pump has two wires, make sure they are both disconnected before using it. When you connect in the pump cable, you should hear a buzzing sound. This indicates that the pump is operating properly. It’s important to remember to reconnect everything after testing.

Pour 20 liters of water into the pump pit until the float rises if you have a single cord pump. You should be able to hear the water pump start up. When the pump is running, check to see whether the water is being pumped out properly and that the pump shuts itself off when the water is gone.

If you want to ensure that your basement is completely dry, you might consider purchasing a water detector.

Inspect your window wells

Window wells are an excellent method to bring in natural light and ventilation to your basement. They also assist to keep the window fittings free of dirt. However, if they are not properly cared for, your basement may be at danger.

Window well flooding may be caused by liner failure, which is a common occurrence. Soil pressure may cause the space between the foundation wall and the liner to expand if the liner is loose. When the earth gets saturated, this allows water to permeate. Check your window wells now, before the cold weather comes in. We are at our most vulnerable at this time of year. Replace any loose liners found during the inspection process.

Clean Your Dryer Vents.

Your dryer will certainly see greater usage when the seasons change, and the temperatures drop. More than 15,000 fires are started each year by malfunctioning dryers, making it critical to eliminate this fire threat.

Reduce your home’s fire danger and increase its energy efficiency by regularly cleaning the dryer of accumulated lint. To begin, remove the lint from the lint filter. To the front of the dryer is where you’ll often discover this part. Remove the filter and use a lint-free cloth to remove any remaining lint. Lint may be removed from the lint trap with a vacuum cleaner.

After that, clear out the lint traps. Most dryers have these at the rear of the appliance. When in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s documentation. Loosen the clamps using a flathead screwdriver. When you do this, the vent will be able to be removed from the wall and the dryer. Next, use a dryer vent duct brush to clean out the pipes by holding the vent upright. Twist the brush as you remove it but be careful not to twist too hard. Remove all the lint from the vent by repeating this procedure until it is clean.

Turn on your dryer for around 15 minutes after reconnecting the vent. As a result, any lint caught in the tubing or on the outside vent will be blown out the vents.

Check Your Electrical System.

The last thing you need when the days get shorter, and the temperatures drop is for your electrical system to go out in the middle of the winter.

Make an appointment for an electrical maintenance tune-up before the winter weather comes in. The main service panel should be checked for sparking, and the breaker wires should be inspected for faulty insulation and discoloration. Test the electrical circuits’ power flow with a multimeter. Things like extension cables, wall plugs, and heating systems should all be checked.

As part of this process, be sure to check your GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter). A simple push of the test button will reveal whether or not any electricity is flowing through it. Hire a professional electrician if you notice any issues. This isn’t something you should be doing on your own, either.

Bleed all your radiators

Should you have them, bleeding your radiators every winter is a must if you want them to operate at maximum capacity and efficiency. They won’t be able to keep up on their own. Bleeding your radiators is an easy task, even if you’ve never done it before. Turn on all of your radiators to the highest setting possible. Let them cool down for a few minutes before turning off the central heating.

Start with the radiator nearest to your boiler and work your way outward. Open the bleed valve after turning off the radiator. Remove the valve cover and place a tray below it. Don’t be alarmed; the tray will collect any spilled water. Afterwards, shut off all the radiators and repeat this procedure for each one. Make that the boiler’s air pressure is at the right amount. This is the manometer’s green part.

Don’t have any ice dams

Ice dams may develop at the edge of your roof in cold weather. They impede the flow of melted snow. It is possible for water to seep through your roof and cause damage to your ceilings, insulating material, and even your walls.

There is a risk of ice dams forming on a roof that is heated by the attic, but not the eaves. That which melts and freezes creates a dam on the roof’s cool eaves is called the dam. Underneath the shingles, the heated roof’s meltwater seeps inside the home. Keep the whole roof at the same temperature to avoid ice jams. Increasing airflow and adding insulation are the best ways to do this. Keep an eye out for air leaks that might warm the roof’s bottom.

Final words

Now you know how to maintain your home during Canadian winters. Pay attention to these tips and you will be able to end up with getting the best returns at the end of the day. That’s because you can overcome the negative consequences that can take place without a problem.