It is not uncommon for Toronto to be affected by severe weather throughout the year, but winter can be particularly disruptive. The damage caused by winter storms is staggering, so we must all prepare for them. Discover the best winter plumbing tips for Toronto homeowners to keep your pipes running smoothly.
A simple winterization plan can reduce the risk of damage caused by winter storms and plummeting temperatures. When the weather is colder, it is harder to resolve issues.
The more proactive you are in winterizing Toronto home systems, the more prepared you will be for the changing weather. Your home will stay warm and cozy for the winter months if you keep it in good condition.
You can spend a little bit of time winterizing your home. Each task can be handled individually. The good news is that when your home is fully prepared, you can rest assured that you are doing everything you can to keep it safe.
Here are some tips for keeping your house warm and safe this winter.
Winter Plumbing Tips for Toronto Homeowners
We often need to winterize our homes each year. Does anyone want to rake dead leaves, wait for the pipes to burst, and fiddle with them in the cold? It is cheaper and easier to winterize rather than repair damage caused by the winter.
It is often best to have an expert inspect certain tasks if they need to be done by a professional. It may be more difficult and expensive to arrange a winter storm emergency call-out if there is a high number of calls.
The best thing you can do to winterize your home is to take these steps every year since conditions are unpredictable. A checklist and thorough completion of each task will make it even easier for next year.
1. Keep your gutters clean.
Toronto is home to many lovely tree-lined streets. If you have a tree overhanging your home, this is a good time to get rid of the dead leaves. It can cause ice damming in your gutters if you leave fallen leaves in them during the winter.
You can keep your gutters working by clearing them regularly. Ensure gutters are clear of debris and leaves to allow clean water flow. Check the guttering and bolts as well for signs of wear and tear. Weak spots in gutters may result in collapse or breakage.
2. Insulate the attic
Insulate your attic properly to prevent heat from escaping. As a result, any snow on your roof melts, runs down, and then re-freezes into ice dams and icicles. A poorly insulated attic also wastes heat, increasing your heating costs.
It is important to insulate your attic against the warmth below so that it is about the same temperature as the outside. Check your existing insulation for gaps and thickness. You can save time and money by re-insulating gaps when you find them
3. Winterize Your Pipes
We hardly consider our homes’ pipes. However, plumbing problems arise when winter arrives. It is natural for water to expand when it freezes. It can cause your pipes to burst because this puts enormous pressure on them. The best way to protect your pipes against cold weather is to take proactive measures.
It is especially common for external pipes to burst. It is recommended to drain, turn off, and insulate hose pipes and fixtures outside. Keeping indoor pipes warm is also important. It would be best to prevent interior pipes from freezing by keeping your home heated and sealing up any draughts.
It might be wise to hire a plumber if you are having trouble locating or insulating pipes. You can trust professionals to keep track of your pipes and ensure that they are safe from freezing.
Our Service> Frozen and Leaking Services in the GTA
4. Inspect the holes
Winter is a time to stay warm and cozy, and wildlife is no exception. Especially attic spaces can serve as a haven for small animals who squeeze in through tiny holes and make their homes there.
Look for holes in the walls, eaves, and attic space. You might feel draughts coming through the attic ceiling or walls. It’s a sure sign there’s a crack or hole. Stopping the escape of warm air will also help keep animals out.
5. Do a roof inspection.
Do you know the phrase “keeping a roof over your head”? This is the best time to do it in the winter. It is easy for us to forget that the roofs of our homes also wear and tear over time. During the winter, roofs can experience freezing conditions, high winds, dampness, and heavy snowfall.
Your first step in winterizing your roof should be a visual inspection. When you are uncomfortable climbing a ladder, it is better to hire a professional. When working at height, it can be very dangerous. Hence, hiring a professional is the best way to ensure your safety.
Inspect the roof shingles carefully for missing sections. The weatherproofing of the house needs to be inspected as well, especially around flashing, antennas, and chimney tops. Re-sealing worn areas on your roof is a good idea when the sealant wears and cracks. When the snow begins to fall, and the wind howls, a roof inspection gives you peace of mind.
6. Check Alarms
Is your house alarm system up to date? It’s not about intruder alarms; it’s about fire and carbon monoxide. Canadian winters are notorious for house fires caused by heating equipment, so you must take precautions.
It takes a second to check an alarm system to make sure you’re safe. Every floor of your home should have working fire and carbon monoxide alarms. Test your alarm by pressing the test button if you need help with how to do it.
If the alarm beeps when the batteries are low, change them right away. Otherwise, wait until the alarm beeps when the batteries are low. Your family and yourself are safer when you have regular tests.
See Also: How to Find a Frozen Pipe: Expert Tips and Techniques
7. Maintain a clean air filter.
It is important to maintain your HVAC system to keep costs down and keep your home adequately ventilated and heated. The efficiency of air filters is decreased over time when they become clogged with dust.
Replace the air filter with a new one. Winterizing preparations include changing your air filters regularly.
Call a professional if you need help changing an air filter or think your HVAC system needs maintenance.
8. Check your boiler
When you awake on a cold winter morning, you get in the shower, only to discover nothing but cold water. When it comes to boilers, they are the last thing you want to break over the winter.
Make sure your boiler is working correctly by scheduling a professional inspection. Any issues will be detected and fixed as soon as possible with this simple step.
9. Organize supplies and equipment.
Despite the unpredictable nature of winter, you should always prepare. Severe weather issues can be handled much more easily if you have everything you need.
Do you have a wobbly snow shovel? Are your torch batteries up to date? Have you used up all the first aid in your emergency kit? A winter emergency can be easily forgotten, but when the time comes, you’ll soon realize you are unprepared.
There is a possibility that power will be out for hours or even days as a result of winter storms. During ice and snow storms, you may encounter neighbours in need of assistance, from sprained ankles to head injuries.
Plan what you might need for the winter. Ensure that you have everything you need, from a new shovel and scraper to spare batteries and medical supplies. In the event of a burst pipe or other problems with your main water supply, large water jugs can also be helpful.
10. Call the right person.
You will need to act quickly if a major problem arises over the winter. To always be prepared, write down a list of trusted professionals in your area.
11. Service Weather Specific Equipment
Every season requires a different kind of equipment. It’s time to put away your rakes, lawnmowers, and summer gardening equipment by draining the gas from your lawnmower. Maintain your snow blower and shovel in good condition.
12. Preparing Your Fireplace
Do you have an original wood-burning fireplace in your Toronto home? During the winter, it might create a cozy atmosphere for you. In this situation, make sure that your chimney is clean and free from creosote and soot. When you are not using your chimney, you should make sure that it is properly covered to keep out unwanted birds and rodents.
You can call these people if something goes wrong, from plumbing experts to roofers and HVAC technicians. It is a good idea to keep this list accessible. Our lives are increasingly dependent on the internet, but what happens to your internet if it goes down? Or if the power goes out?
You shouldn’t rely solely on digital storage when it comes to storing important numbers that you hope you will never need.
13. Stay Cozy and Safe this Winter
It is the season of hazards with burst pipes, broken boilers, and broken branches. In preparation for winter, you’ll ensure the safety and comfort of your home.
There is no need for you to prepare everything yourself either. Winterizing Toronto home systems such as HVAC and plumbing is a job best left to professionals.
Then you can rest assured that you’ve taken good care of your home. Regardless of the weather, let your home care for you.
In conclusion, taking a few simple steps to winterize your plumbing in Toronto can save you from costly repairs and inconveniences during the colder months. Insulating pipes, sealing any leaks, and keeping the heat on in your home can help prevent frozen pipes and water damage.
Regularly checking your water heater and draining any sediment can also increase its efficiency and lifespan. By following these Winter Plumbing Tips for Toronto, you can ensure that your Toronto plumbing system stays in good condition throughout the winter season. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start preparing your plumbing for winter today!
Our Toronto expert plumbers can help you with winterizing your pipes if you’re looking for one. Our team of experts helps Toronto residents prepare for winter just like you.