Winterizing Your Home: A Compass Communities Checklist

Winter: a time of celebrating with loved ones, enjoying the snow, and throwing your summer diet out the window. (We can almost taste the hot chocolate just thinking of it.) 

But here in Canada, winter is also a period of extreme cold temperatures, unpredictable precipitation, and harsh winds. With this in mind, Compass Communities has created a checklist to help you keep your home as comfortable and cozy as it can be this winter. 

WINTER PREPARATION CHECKLIST

• Take a moment to check the heat tape under your home to make sure it’s plugged in and working properly. (Heat tape is an electrical cable used to protect pipes to keep them from freezing.)

• Make sure all pipe insulation is in place. Frozen or burst pipes can be expensive to fix — never fun, especially in winter. 

• Swap out vented skirting panels for solid ones, and replace any broken or missing skirting. Even small holes can let in cold air and cause pipes to freeze. Broken skirting can also allow animals to get underneath your home, so please make sure all access panels are securely closed.

 • Any gaps where the skirting meets the ground should be sealed. You can do this by banking snow against the skirting or adding insulation underneath the home where needed. (Note: using yard debris, bagged leaves, or similar materials for sealing is not allowed, as these are all fire hazards.)

• Keep heaters on in all rooms during the winter, especially in areas where the hot water tank or water lines are located. Be extra careful when using space heaters: never leave them unattended, and never use candles or your stove to heat your home.

• During very cold weather, it helps to open cabinet doors under sinks, bathroom vanities, and around the washer and dryer so warm air can reach pipes and drains.

• Dripping taps can actually cause drains to freeze over time, so be sure to fix any leaky pipes or faucets. And please don’t leave water running on purpose — it increases the risk of broken pipes and wastes water. 

• If you’ll be away from home for an extended time, arrange for someone to check on your place daily, as it’s a requirement for most home insurance policies. It’s also best to have a plumber or licensed contractor properly winterize your home.

• Be prepared for power outages, which are more common in winter. It’s a good idea to have flashlights with fresh batteries, non-perishable food, bottled water, and a backup power bank for your phone. Candles aren’t recommended during outages and should only be used with extreme caution. For more information on outages, contact your local power utility.

• Please remember that street parking isn’t allowed during the winter months. Vehicles blocking snow removal or emergency access — or parked illegally — may be towed at the owner’s expense.

• When walking outside, wear bright or reflective clothing, pay attention to weather conditions, and use proper footwear. If conditions are particularly icy or unsafe, it’s best to stay indoors.

• Drive slowly and follow posted speed limits. Winter road conditions can change quickly, so extra caution helps keep everyone safe.

• When shovelling or plowing your driveway, please don’t push snow into the street or onto neighbouring properties.

• One final note: though the weather might seem inviting, please do not use recreational vehicles such as four wheelers and snowmobiles, as they are not permitted in Compass Communities. 

Conclusion

A little preparation can go a long way toward protecting your home and your peace of mind this winter. By working through this checklist now, you’ll reduce the risk of costly repairs, stay safe during extreme weather, and be able to enjoy all the best parts of winter –– all from the comfort of your newly-winterized abode.