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The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching. Snow and ice pellets will fall, and holiday festivities will start in a few months. But, do not ignore the threats that winter poses to your home.
Have you checked the roof, caulking, and chimney? The last thing you want to experience is fixing your house amidst the winter cold. Winter can be pleasant, especially to the tourists. But, it can trouble you big time if you are not ready for it.
With that in mind, here are some ways to protect your home from the dangers of winter.
Repair Concrete and Wall Cracks
If you notice cracks and holes on your patios, driveways, and even walls, fill them as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will get bigger and become more challenging to repair. No matter how small the cracks and holes are, melted snow and ice can get through them. Melted snow inside those cracks often refreezes and expands them. As such, you will have to spend more on the repair and resealing.
Other problems may arise once the holes get big enough for the animals to enter your home. Imagine spending your winter with squirrels, raccoons, and mice. They can create more damage inside your home. They can wreak havoc on your furniture and your supplies.
The last thing you would want to do is make repairs while the holidays are in full swing. It is also troublesome to get rid of these pesky animals and go out again to buy more supplies.
Clean Your Furnace Filler and Chimney
Inspecting the furnace and chimney is not only done before and during winter. It is a household chore you should often do. Also, you should change the furnace filter every two to three months. It is home maintenance you should concentrate on even during summer. Doing this reduces dust and ensures good airflow, especially during the warm months.
Meantime, not doing this will give you more problems during winter. Heating will become less efficient, and the thick smoke from your furnace may get trapped. It may result in higher electricity bills and health problems. Housefires may also happen due to creosote buildup.
Keep an Eye on Nearby Trees
Masses of snow and ice stay on large trees. Their weight may cause the massive branches and even trunks to break or fall to your roof, wall, and patio. It may cause home damages, accidents, and even deaths, especially if they are near or within your yard.
You may prevent this danger by regular snow removal using a broom or wood. Do not shake the tree when doing this to avoid its brittle branches from breaking or falling. It is better to do tree maintenance during autumn, so it is safer to brush off the masses of snow.
Check Roof Damages and Leaks
Before autumn ends, check if there are damages and leaks on your roof. Also, sweep the roof and remove the debris that can add weight and trap more snow. Chances are, melted snow and ice will leak into your attic and other rooms. It is dangerous when there are live wires that may cause an electric fire. Gutters may also get damaged and break away from the roof edge. One of the worst things you can witness is roof collapse amidst heavy snowfalls.
Install Smoke Alarms
Many know how smoke alarms can reduce damages and save many lives in case of fire. As much as possible, every level of the house should have a smoke alarm. Consider installing photoelectric alarms to detect carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Meanwhile, smart smoke detectors send mobile phone alerts once they detect thick smoke.
According to the Canadian Red Cross, there are about 24000 house fires in Canada every year. Heating equipment and candles lead the top causes of house fires. House fires are common during winter due to the frequent use of heating equipment. Note that most people stay at home during the season and cook on their own more often. Also, bigger celebrations, such as Christmas and New Year, happen during winter.
Taken from The Canadian Red Cross
Get Home Insurance
The best way to protect your home is to have it insured. It guarantees financial protection in case of damages by weather, fires, and vandalism. Due to climate change, storms and other natural calamities are more unpredictable. As such, more people tend to purchase home insurance to protect their properties.
In 2019, Winter storms comprised about 25% of severe-weather insurance claims in Canada. It amounted to $272 million, followed by floods at $208 million and hail storms at $185 million. Although insurance claims in 2020 decreased to $134 million, the damages remained high. It shows how much winter can cause regardless of the preparations you put in place.
Taken from Insurance Bureau of Canada
Home insurance is not a requirement but a necessity to ensure financial protection. Home insurance premiums are increasing, driven by climate change. In Alberta and Ontario, premiums may increase by 64% and 140% in the next few years. Wherever you are in Canada, it is wise to have one as early as now.
Taken from Ratehub.ca
Another thing to consider is the price of building a new house in Canada. Suppose a natural calamity destroyed your home. The cost of building a single-family home is $90 to $260 per square foot. The customized version is at $250 to $1090 per square foot. Without home insurance, you will have to spend $9000 to $100,900 for your 100-square foot house.
Most insurance providers have the lowest coverage of $100,000. The average amount that policyholders received was between $300,000 and $500,000. Given this, home insurance is the best protection you can do for your home in winter.
Winter appears relaxing due to the cold breeze and dark ambiance. But, it poses threats to your home, especially if you do not prepare for it. If you follow the suggestions above, you can remove or at least reduce its effects. Having home insurance is a practical choice since it guarantees financial protection.