RainTek’s top 5 tips for winterizing your home.

(Originally published 08 NOV 2011)

The wet and cool season is quickly falling upon us, which means it’s time to winterize your home. There are many different things you can do both on the interior and exterior of your home to achieve this. We’ve put together a checklist of essential “to-dos” around your home before the first cold snap and heavy rains hit. Feel free to review our recommendations and call us with any questions you may have.

1) Clean & flush your gutters & downspouts.

Your roof is responsible for directing heavy rainfalls into your gutters, which, if clean, will flow into your downspouts and into your perimeter drainage system. Once the rain water flows into your drainage system, clean draintiles will direct the water away from your home and into your municipal storm system. Unfortunately, as fall comes, gutters and drains become clogged with leaves and other foliage, leaving your gutters or surface drains blocked or severely restricted. This results in rainwater overflowing your gutters and getting into areas that it shouldn’t possibly causing rot and exterior damage.

2) Camera Inspect and RotoRoot / Power flush your drainage system.

 Your drainage system is one of the most critical systems in your home, but often neglected due to the “out of sight, out of mind mentality”. Perimeter drain tile safetly directs all the water away from your home that would otherwise be left free standing against your homes foundation. A simple and economic drain tile camera inspection can be a cheap and cost effective peace of mind to ensure that your drainage system is functioning correctly. This is especially important in older homes with clay/concrete tiles that are susceptible to cracking, movement and other natural degradation. Contact us today to have a RainTek drainage technician book and appointment and give you peace of mind.

3) Cleaning & Sweeping your chimney.

It’s definitely that time of year where we all like to place a few wood logs into the fireplace and enjoy a warm and cozy fire. Unfortunately and neglected fireplace and chimney can be more of a hazard than most realize. If left unchecked a few sparks can quickly lead to a full on flue fire. Give us a call and have one of our helpful staff recommend a reputable company to suite your masonry needs.

4) Shutting off exterior water supplies

It’s an easy thing to forget about, but exterior hoses and taps that are left on (with a supply running to them) can be susceptible to freezing during the cold winter months. In a worst case scenerio, a freezing pipe can actually burst in your home, leaving you with costly repairs. Check your home to make sure all exterior taps have their water supply shut off.

5) Irrigation System Flush.

Just as you shut off your exterior water supplies, making sure you “winterize” your irrigation system is a must as well. Properly pressurizing and clearing the lines with compressed air will help ensure you trouble free use of your system come spring.