RSS

 

Strategy for Saving


Ensuring your home is prepped properly can save you a nice chunk of change while protecting your property for years to come. 

Break It Down

Looking at a giant to-do list is overwhelming. To save frustration, break it down into two or three jobs you can tackle over the next three to four weekends. First up, windows. Check each one in the house for drafts and insulation needs. The following week, inspect pipes to avoid an unfortunate burst in January. You can make things even easier by dividing the job among the family. Assign each person a room to inspect and report back on whether it's ready for winter.

Three Steps to a Safe Season

#1: Prep the Plumbing

Drain the water from your outdoor faucets and garden hoses and arrange to have any in-ground sprinkler pipes blown out. Roll up the garden hoses and store them inside. Identify any "problem" pipes that are prone to freezing in the house and consider using heat tape to keep them warm during extremely cold weather. If the worst happens, ensure everyone in the family knows how to turn off the water at the source. This will minimize leaking when and if a pipe bursts.

#2: Heat Things Up

Everyone enjoys cozy evenings by a crackling fire?  Ensure your fireplace is ready to provide warm nights all winter. Be sure to have the chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional before the first frost. Also, have a professional perform a routine check of the heating systems before cold weather arrives. This should include vacuuming the vents and other heating components. If your furnace has a filter, check to see if it needs replacing. For more energy savings, consider installing a setback thermostat that keeps the home cooler when you are asleep or away.

#3: Seal the Leaks

Keep drafts to a minimum this winter. If you have them, install storm windows and doors -- and don't overlook the basement. Add or replace worn weather stripping around the doors and windows and caulk any gaps. If doorstops are worn, replace them. If any pipes or ducts travel through an exterior wall, be sure to use caulking and weather-stripping around all entry points. These steps will block any potential entry points for cold air. That's an idea you can warm up to.

 

Read
Categories:   400 West, Barrie Real Estate | AJAX Real Estate | Angus Glen, Markham Real Estate | Annex, Toronto C02 Real Estate | Aurora Estates, Aurora Real Estate | Aurora Heights, Aurora Real Estate | Aurora Highlands, Aurora Real Estate | Ballantrae, Whitchurch-Stouffville Real Estate | Bendale, Toronto E09 Real Estate | Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Toronto E06 Real Estate | Bradford, Bradford West Gwillimbury Real Estate | Brooklin, Whitby Real Estate | Bullock, Markham Real Estate | Buttonville, Markham Real Estate | C01: TORONTO Real Estate | C10: TORONTO Real Estate | Central East, Ajax Real Estate | Central West, Ajax Real Estate | Clarke, Milton Real Estate | Clarkson, Mississauga Real Estate | Cornell, Markham Real Estate | Crosby, Richmond Hill Real Estate | Don Valley Village, Toronto C15 Real Estate | Downtown Whitby, Whitby Real Estate | E04: TORONTO Real Estate | E08: TORONTO Real Estate | E11: TORONTO Real Estate | E13: PICKERING Real Estate | E14: AJAX Real Estate | E19: AJAX Real Estate | Edenbridge-Humber Valley, Toronto W08 Real Estate | German Mills, Markham Real Estate | Grandview, Markham Real Estate | Greensborough, Markham Real Estate | Harding, Richmond Hill Real Estate | Highbush, Pickering Real Estate | Hillcrest Village, Toronto C15 Real Estate | Huron Heights-Leslie Valley, Newmarket Real Estate | Islington-City Centre West, Toronto W08 Real Estate | Keswick South, Georgina Real Estate | Lakeview, Mississauga Real Estate | Lynde Creek, Whitby Real Estate | Markham Real Estate | Markham Village, Markham Real Estate | Markville, Markham Real Estate | Middlefield, Markham Real Estate | MOUNT ALBERT Real Estate | Mount Pleasant West, Toronto C10 Real Estate | N04: RICHMOND HILL Real Estate | N07: NEWMARKET Real Estate | N11: LOCUST HIL Real Estate | N12: GORMLEY Real Estate | N16: BROCK Real Estate | Newtonbrook East, Toronto C14 Real Estate | NORTH YORK Real Estate | Northeast Ajax, Ajax Real Estate | Old Markham Village, Markham Real Estate | Patterson, Vaughan Real Estate | Pinecrest, Oshawa Real Estate | Pringle Creek, Whitby Real Estate | Raymerville, Markham Real Estate | Richmond Hill Real Estate | Rural Clarington, Clarington Real Estate | Rural East Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury Real Estate | Rural Uxbridge, Uxbridge Real Estate | Rural Whitchurch-Stouffville, Whitchurch-Stouffville Real Estate | Schomberg, King Real Estate | Sherwood-Amberglen, Markham Real Estate | South East, Ajax Real Estate | South West, Ajax Real Estate | Stouffville, Whitchurch-Stouffville Real Estate | The Beaches, Toronto E02 Real Estate | Toronto Real Estate | Town Centre, Pickering Real Estate | Unionville, Markham Real Estate | UXBRIDGE Real Estate | Uxbridge, Uxbridge Real Estate | Vanier, Oshawa Real Estate | Vinegar Hill, Markham Real Estate | Westminster-Branson, Toronto C07 Real Estate | Williamsburg, Whitby Real Estate | Willowdale East, Toronto C14 Real Estate | Wismer, Markham Real Estate | Woburn, Toronto E09 Real Estate