With winter on the near horizon, now’s a good time to undertake some essential fall home maintenance tasks. These will be on top of regular pre-winter HVAC maintenance. Your Calgary home will be better prepared for winter if you use some of the following tips:
- Check the outside walls of your house for cracks and gaps in the foundation and walls. Likely spots for leaks include spots where utility pipes and wires enter the home, window and door frames, and places where building materials intersect (such as the foundation and walls). Use caulk to seal relatively small openings, and expanding spray foam for larger gaps and cracks.
- Look for air leaks along the interior of outside walls, too. Take a smoke pencil or lit incense stick and move along walls, holding the smoke against possible air leaks. When the smoke wavers, that indicates moving air. Use weatherstripping to stop air infiltration around door frames and window sashes, and caulk or spray foam for other leaks.
- Inspect the attic to ensure sufficient insulation to prevent heat from escaping from the attic to the outside and from the living spaces below into the attic. Seal the attic hatch or door to prevent air movement between floors.
- Remove screens from doors and windows, and if you have storm windows, install them snugly.
- Carefully inspect the roof for any missing or hanging shingles, and repair or replace them. Any weak spots in the roof will be exposed during a harsh Alberta winter. Your best bet is to hire a professional roofer to address serious roofing problems.
- During the fall, if you have overhanging trees, inspect the rain gutters regularly. Use a leaf blower to clear them out. Do it one final time at the end of fall. Blocked and leaking gutters can damage walls, the foundation and the roof. Clean gutters are also less vulnerable to damaging ice dams.
- Check for fresh batteries and proper operation in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
For more HVAC and home maintenance tips for your Calgary-area home, please call us at Arpi’s Industries Ltd.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide.
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