Protecting Plumbing
Turn off outside water lines
Turn off outside water (from inside your home). Read more about when and how to turn off outside water.
Disconnect your hose from your house bib
Disconnecting your hose from your house bib prevents water from returning to the water line.
Consider upgrading to frost-free hose bibs, designed to prevent freezing and bursting — even when someone forgets to shut off the outdoor water.
Insulate exposed pipes in cold areas of your home
Garages, basements, and crawl spaces are notorious for having colder temperatures and uninsulated spots where pipes can freeze. Pipe insulation and pipe sleeves are easy ways to protect your pipes.
Protecting Heating
Schedule a furnace inspection
(Every year if your furnace is 10+ years old, and every 2 years if your furnace is newer.) Most often, furnaces stop working after the extra stress of extremely cold temperatures. In most situations, furnace issues can be spotted before the furnace gives out.
Change furnace filter
A clean furnace improves airflow. A dirty furnace has to work harder and adds more stress to the motor and blower. Dust is an enemy to electronics and can play havoc on the motherboard inside your furnace.
Furnace cleaning or duct cleaning
Both can help maintain your furnace and keep your house cleaner. (We recommend a cleaning every other year, but in larger households or with pets, every year might be required.)
We can provide furnace cleaning, but duct cleaning is a different service, one we do not provide.
Turn up your humidifier
Humidifier adjustments and maintenance are often overlooked, but if you have a natural gas forced air furnace (which most are in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton), the air will dry out as it is heated. In summer months, lower humidity levels can reduce the heat in your home. In the winter, higher humidity can help heat the air.
Safety
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
(This is a great time of year to test your detectors and replace batteries if needed.)
Check outdoor lighting
(Shorter days mean darker, longer evenings. Make sure your walkways and entrance ways are well-lit.)
Consider adding permanent Christmas lights
These can be used to enhance the curb appeal of your home, but the extra lighting can also increase the safety and security of your home.
Home Exterior
Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts
Leaves and debris can trap water, creating ice dams and water damage when it freezes. Eaves need to be directed away from the house to prevent water pooling in the water table below the house.
If your home has a history of basement flooding when it rains or during a Chinook or snowmelt, consider having a sump pump installed to protect your home from flooding. (Repairs in the eaves troughs can be the first line of defence against flooding.)
Look for gaps around doors and windows
Prevent heat loss by repairing weather stripping or caulking where needed.
Final Thoughts
That is everything you should consider now for your fall checklist. Be sure to click on the links to learn more about preparing for winter.