Our winter home maintenance guide is the perfect way to prepare for the colder months ahead.

In this guide you will find useful tips on how to take care of your home in winter. By following these tips, you can protect your home from the cold and prevent damage.

Checklist: A complete list of tasks and inspections to be done outside.

Exterior inspections:

• Regularly check your roof for ice or snow buildup, and clear it accordingly.
• In order to avoid any damage, please ensure that snow and ice are regularly cleared from the carport.
• Examine the exterior of the house for cracks, damage and loss of stucco.
• Check windows and doors for drafts.
• Inspect the roof to see if it is damaged.
• Check landscaping drainage

Tasks to do outside:

• Be sure to clear snow from exits, roads, and emergency areas around your home, as well as balconies, patios, and driveways. If necessary, you can also spread sand or gravel with de-icer for better traction.
• Assuming you have a heat pump, to prevent your heat pump from malfunctioning and to maintain good air circulation, it is essential to remove any buildup of snow or ice.
• Regularly check the caulking around doors and windows and replace it if necessary.
• Sweep leaves, branches and other debris from the roof and gutters.

Checklist: A complete list of interior tasks and inspections.

Interior inspection:

• Regularly check your ceilings and doors for cracks or chafing, as this could be a sign of too much ice on the roof.
• It is necessary to regularly check your fire extinguishers and, if necessary, recharge or replace them.
• Inspect all emergency exits to make sure the locks work properly.
• Make sure guardrails and handrails are secure.
• Be sure to check your chimney regularly for any damage.
• Inspect your attic and basement insulation
• Examine the tile joints near the bathtub and shower, as well as the sealing of the bathtub.
• Inspect your washdown hoses for any signs of wear. If you see any damage, replace the washers and test the valves to make sure they are working properly.
• Check the dishwasher water supply hoses for leaks or damage.
• Check the seal of the access hatch to your attic. If you find any, seal them with compressible weather stripping or removable sealant.
• Check the heating system.
• When inspecting the attic, watch for these problems: frost, rusty nail heads and traces of mold in the attic.

If necessary, get an expert to diagnose the problem and make the changes.

Interior tasks:

•  If you often see condensation on your windows, use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home and take steps to correct the problem.
• Circulate air behind furniture and behind cabinets near exterior walls, especially in basements. Warm, humid areas produce mold more easily.
• Keep the temperature of the earthen cellar around 10-15°C, and make sure that the air vents are well closed.
• Be sure to perform a radon test in your home. Radon is a radioactive gas that can be dangerous to health. It is therefore necessary to ensure that your home is free of them. A simple test will give you peace of mind and ensure that you and your family are safe from radon exposure.
• If the pipes are in danger of freezing, turn on a faucet and let a small trickle of water run overnight. Likewise, if the pipes are located in the back of a closet near an exterior wall, open the doors to let in ambient heat.
• In cold or windy weather, identify areas where air could enter your home and take steps to fix the problem when the weather is nicer.
• Clean the bathroom exhaust fan grill to remove dust and dirt.
• Collect the ashes from the fireplace and clean the mantel.
• Test all of the shutoff valves in your home.
• Keeping your drawers and cabinet doors clean and snug is important to maintaining a functional household.
• Don't forget to regularly clean the filter in your cooker hood and replace it if necessary.
• Clean refrigerator coils, dust the back and bottom of appliances.
• Clean your smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, change their batteries if necessary and check their operation.