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Not everyone is a fan of winter, but you can make it more pleasant by taking care of minor winterizing tasks today to avoid the possibility of major repairs down the road.

Protecting your home in the colder months can also help save you money and will help you keep up the value of your home.

By taking these simple steps before the big freeze, you can create a safer, greener, more energy efficient home that will be easier on your wallet.

Here are some pro winter maintenance tips:

• Clean out gutters and clear debris from downspouts. Leaves and debris can clog your gutters in the winter creating a waterfall during a rainstorm that keeps moisture close to the foundation, forcing water from melting ice to seep back under the shingles. Foundation problems can range in severity so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and make sure these tasks are taken care of.

• Avoid chimney fires by getting your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly if you use your fireplace frequently. Check for loose brick, crumbling mortar and missing caps on chimneys. Make sure to close the fireplace damper when not in use to help seal warmth and keep out moisture.

• No one wants to take a hit to the wallet, so seal air leaks around doors and windows by adding or replacing worn weather-stripping and caulk gaps as needed. If possible, replace old windows with energy efficient windows. They can account for up to 25% of total house heat loss, according to Natural Resources Canada.

• Another pro tip to save you money in the long term is to check your attic for adequate insulation and ventilation. This will help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Proper insulation helps eliminate drafts and lowers heating bills.

We spoke to home inspector Derrick Vogel who is a certified Level 1 Thermographer, Level 1 WETT (fireplace) inspector, Energy Auditor, and CanNACHI home inspector. He recommends hiring a licensed home inspector to come to your home for a consultation who can provide you with advice on how to prepare mechanical and plumbing systems for the colder months and offer knowledge on how to better air seal and insulate your homes.

A “depressurization” test can be completed, which will calculate the airtightness of buildings and help locate air leakage sites. A thermal analysis provides valuable information as well, where the properties of materials are studied as they change with temperature, giving great insight into how efficient your home actually is.

By completing these steps, you will be able to cut costs, rest easy, and enjoy the winter.

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