Month: November 2020

• Touchless Faucets

Your Health is important every winter, but especially this one. Switching from a manual to a touchless faucet can stop 98% of bacteria from forming. Handyman Connection can help you install touchless faucets today!

• Hardwood Flooring

If you are considering installing new flooring in your home, this may be the perfect year to finally do it. Wood floors are durable and much easier to clean than carpet flooring. Allow Handyman Connection to install new flooring in your home.

• Create a New Space

Did you know that 1/4 of Americans outgrow their home within just two years? Create a new space in your home, whether its a new kitchen, an office or a bedroom, let Handyman Connection help you fall in love with your home once again.

• Build an In Home Gym

It’s important to stay healthy this year. 75% of reported people who exercise at least once a week are happier than those who don’t. At home gyms are becoming more and more popular, and our craftmen are happy to help you build one.

• Increase Natural Light

Natural light is proven to increase overall mood and mental health. Our professional team of skilled craftsmen can help you get more natural light in your home. Call us today!

View our infographic for more information.

The post Home Projects That Will Support Your Health appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Get inspired and stay healthy this year with these home improvement projects.

The post Home Projects That Will Support Your Health [Infographic] appeared first on Handyman Connection.

If you’re planning on putting your home for sale, you could have a lot of work ahead of you. Having your home sale-ready might mean tackling some home repair and minor renovation jobs first. Having your home in tip-top shape will help attract buyers. It can make for a faster and more profitable sale.

AAA Home Handyman Inc. in Calgary offers handyman services that can help you get your home ready for the real estate market. Here are some ways they can help:

Improve your curb appeal

The first impression a buyer will get from your home is how it looks on the outside. Good curb appeal goes a long way in attracting a buyer’s attention. If you need some repairs or touch-up work on the exterior of your house, AAA Home Handyman Inc. can help. That might mean painting your trim, installing a new front entry door, and repairing the deck. An expert can take a look and make recommendations for upgrades that can help make a better first impression.

Paint the interior

A paint job is an easy and cost-effective way to give your home a refresh. Choose light, neutral colours if you’re painting to sell. This will give buyers a blank canvas and allow them to picture how they would set up the space for themselves. The paint will hide blemishes, dings, and stains. It will also help protect the walls for the new owner too. AAA Home Handyman Inc. can repair damaged drywall as well before the paint goes on!

Take care of small repairs

If you’ve been putting off small home repairs, now is the time to get those done. Fix the drippy faucet, repair the damaged flooring in the family room, and replaced the worn-out baseboards in the kitchen. Whatever your home needs, taking care of those little repairs will show buyers that the home is well-maintained. If they walk in and identify things left unfixed, it might turn them off the home entirely.

Spruce up the kitchen

Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in the home for buyers. If your kitchen could use a little facelift, doing so now could see a return on investment. You don’t have to do a complete overhaul, just spruce it up a little. That might mean upgrading the knobs and door pulls to something more modern. You can also install new faucets and fixtures and give the room a coat of paint. If the cabinets look worn out, consider cabinet refinishing to brighten them up. These touches can go a long way in the kitchen. Check out these budget kitchen upgrades that can make a big impact.

Handyman in Calgary

AAA Home Handyman Inc. provides home repairs or renovation services. They can install new windows or doors, do wall removal and remodeling as well as drywall repairs or paint. They’ll fix or install all forms of flooring, or do a bathroom or kitchen renovation. If you need work done to sell your home or are interested in repairs or renovations for a home purchase or sale give them a call. Estimates are free and all work is warrantied for a full year.

Need a handyman? Contact AAA Home Handyman Inc. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Compared to traditional types of insulation, spray foam is quickly becoming the new popular choice. It offers major energy savings, has a long lifespan, and keeps your home completely sealed and protected. Understanding the installation process will ensure that you are fully informed and ready to choose spray foam insulation.

Thermo Solutions Insulation Inc. in Edmonton is a professional spray foam insulation company. They share more about the installation process, so you know what to expect:

Initial inspection

Before beginning any installations, your home or building should be inspected. Thermo Solutions Insulations will evaluate requirements for the install and potential issues. Any problems found will need to be fixed first to ensure a quality installation. Using a thermal imaging camera, they can find any issues through finished materials to make sure issues are solved with the new insulation.

Installation phase 

Unlike other insulation, spray foam is a much quicker process. On the day of, the contractors will arrive with the necessary equipment, tools, and safety protection and gear. Because spray foam hardens through a chemical reaction, there is off-gassing that happens during the process. As such, it is a recommendation that the home or building is unoccupied during the process and until after curing is complete. Within minutes of application, spray foam rapidly expands and hardens into a barrier. This barrier will harden and seal the home.

Curing process

For Thermo Solutions, safety is their number one concern. It is best that you and your family leave the home during the installation and for a little while after. The best way to know how long you should leave the house is to talk to your contractor. They consider any and all factors to let you know when it’s safe to return.

Enjoy a more efficient home

When properly and professionally installed, spray foam insulation can provide upwards of 50% in savings. You’ll enjoy a comfortable home, year-round, and will save money on your heating and cooling bills. Read more about how insulation helps reduce energy bills.

Insulation Contractors in Edmonton

Thermo Solutions Insulations Inc. uses care, accuracy, and dedication to their work to ensure absolute customer satisfaction. Their goal in every project is to provide the best services and savings for their clients every time. From ½ lb and 2 lb spray foam insulation or specialty foam insulation, their professionals can provide whatever you need.

Contact Thermo Solutions Insulations Inc. today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

You probably don’t give it much thought, but electricity is an integral part of your business operations. We’ve gotten so used to using electricity; it’s easy to take for granted how dangerous it can be if electrical systems are not maintained correctly.

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your electrical system is maintained. It must be reliable and safe. Hauer Power Electrical Inc. in Edmonton is a full-service electrical company. They share more about the importance of commercial electrical maintenance.

It keeps the power running

Regardless of the type of business you run, it relies on electricity every single day. It’s essential to keep your electrical system, equipment, devices, and appliances maintained so you can count on everything working. If something happened and you lost power, it’s going to cause trouble.

A maintenance service will check over all the system components to ensure everything is running as it should. The electrician will fix any found problems, and make recommendations for retrofits or upgrades required, so you can be sure your electrical system is reliable.

It makes sure things are safe

Maintaining your commercial electrical system will ensure it’s safe for your employees, clients, tenants, or visitors. You should schedule an annual electrical inspection and maintenance service. A professional electrician will be able to detect small problems that could be potential hazards. Even small issues with an electrical system can cause severe harm or fire at your property.

Preventative maintenance reduces major problems

Just like any machine or system, preventative maintenance is key to preventing major and often costly problems. In the case of electricity, it can prevent dangerous situations. Even if things seem to be running fine, you would never detect a small but growing issue unless it was inspected by a professional. Don’t wait until a minor problem becomes a major cost. Call Hauer Power to inspect, diagnose, and repair those little things now before they become serious.

Electricians in Edmonton

Hauer Power Electrical Inc. believes in getting you the quality service that you deserve. You have a busy schedule, and they’ll work with you to find the time to get your project, big or small, done promptly. Whether you need residential or commercial electrical maintenance, installations, and repairs, they can help.

As your Edmonton Electrician, they want to give you power.

Contact Hauer Power today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

There are many things to think about when planning a major renovation. Designing your lighting plan for a kitchen or bathroom remodels is one of them. Learning about types of lighting, choosing fixtures, deciding on LED or CFL lightbulbs, and where you want your switches can all be part of that plan. Electricians in Calgary can help with this.

Westland Electric in Calgary shares tips for creating a lighting plan:

Choose fixtures for the ambient, task, and accent lighting

Your kitchen and bathrooms should have three types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent lighting.

Ambient lighting is the general lighting of the room. It provides the most significant distribution of light in a space. Recessed lighting, or pot lights, are standard ambient lighting fixtures, but you can choose whatever type of fixture you like as long as it can provide overall illumination for the room.

Task lighting, as the name suggests, is the lighting you need to do a specific job. Task lighting in the bathroom would be your vanity light fixtures. They illuminate the vanity so you can see well when shaving or putting on makeup. In the kitchen, task lighting could be under-cabinet lights to help light up workspaces on the countertop.

Accent lighting is used to create ambiance. It can draw the eye to areas or objects in the room. People use accent lighting to show off feature walls, artwork, or sentimental items on display. Accent lighting can also add interest to a broader area, which is a unique design tool.

Decide where you want your switches and how they’re grouped together

Calgary electricians can create a lighting design that puts switches in typical and convenient locations. If you want something specific, you’ll have to include it in your lighting plan. Perhaps you want the kitchen’s ambient lighting to have a switch from the hallway entrance and from it’s living room entrance. You might want two switches for your under cabinet lighting: one near the sink and one near the entrance to the kitchen.

You can also choose the order you want the switches and how they are grouped together. For example,  you can have your pendant lights come on at the same time as your under cabinet lighting. If you’d like to include a dimmer switch, make sure it’s in your lighting plan!

Communicate with your electrician

Your electrical contractor in Calgary might be an expert at what they do, but they can’t read your mind. If you have something specific you’d like in your renovation’s lighting plan, let them know. Moving switches and outlets, or adding them, is more costly after the renovation than it is during one. If you think you’ll need extra outlets in a specific room, ask for their advice on placement. A good, well-communicated lighting plan will ensure things are installed exactly how you want them the first time.

Are you looking for an experienced and reputable electrician for your home renovation? Contact Westland Electric today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Discover Innovative Home Improvement Ideas 

If your home is beginning to feel like it needs a change but you don’t exactly have the money to do a big home improvement, don’t stress because there are many affordable updates that can make your home feel new without going over the budget. Here are a few of our handyman professionals’ favorites.

Hardware Updates

Sometimes it is the little things that have the biggest impact in a home improvement. Give your home a new look by updating the mismatched or outdated handles and knobs around your home. Purchasing and having new hardware installed is a great way to match your home’s feel and design with only a small change.

Fresh Color

A pop of color always brings new light into a room. For example, if you are unable to update your kitchen this year, consider painting or staining the cabinets for a fresh color to make the space look brand new. You can have a traditional color or get creative with a two-tone effect. Try painting the lower side of the cabinets one color and up above another—this will create an in-depth and fresh look.

Get Organized

How you use a space often influences how you feel about that space as well. If you revamp a place and declutter, it will feel like a whole new room! This can be achieved by organizing with new bins or labelled containers in your closet for all the clutter. Or, if you have many items on the floor in a room, look into installing new shelf space or cabinets where it can all be picked up, organized, and stored away. This will save you on space and give you a peace of mind when complete.

Good Lighting

When it comes to home improvement, good or new lighting is always the first choice. Brighten up a room with new light fixtures to give it a whole new look. Pick from a variety of shapes or even bulbs to color your room from a cozy warm light to bright and clean for your kitchen or office.

With these home improvement suggestions, you will be able to update your living space without breaking your budget. It’s amazing what a new coat of paint, new lights, and a little organization can do.

Contact Handyman Connection

If you find yourself needing professional home improvement help, call or text us here at Handyman Connection right away. We’ll give you a free estimate and get you in contact with one of our skilled craftsmen.

The post Home Improvement Ideas on a Budget appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Written by Ryan Hauer, Owner of Hauer Power Electrical in Edmonton

Hi everyone, and welcome to today’s edition of your Edmonton electrician. At Hauer Power Electrical our mission is to power customer service. In these articles and our videos, this is how we show that we bring customer service back to the trades.

Talking about electrical service upgrades

We wanted to talk to you about service upgrades. Often coming from a 60 amp service upgrade or a 70 amp service upgrade, it’s always a good idea to safe out your electrical system and have at least a 100A electrical service installed. If you are at 100 amps already and you want to stay at a hundred amps and change out your panel for a more safe arrangement. In that case, a service upgrade is right for you.

Sometimes your home may have grown large enough to surpass its electrical service. In these cases, we recommend a 150A or a 200 Amp electrical service upgrade. We’re here to talk to about everything when it comes to your electrical service panel upgrades.

One of the biggest concerns with the residential service industry is safety and especially electrical safety. After all, most fires stem from electrical hazards, and we want to eliminate those!

A large portion of these electrical fires is attributed to federal panels. Federal Pacific specifically. Federal Pacific electrical service panels were extremely common in the US and Canada, but unfortunately, they were a company that had performed some fraudulent and inaccurate testing. This fraudulent testing was discovered after these panels were installed in millions of homes. This is why we perform so many of these electrical service upgrades in Edmonton and area.

Circuit breakers

It’s no rare secret in the electrical trade that Federal circuit breakers are known to be a fire hazard. They are known to not trip when experiencing an overcurrent condition or an electrical fault. Among not tripping, they also are known to remain open or to remain shut. All of which can result in some pretty dangerous situations.

The whole point of an electrical circuit breaker is to trip when the wiring and devices are at risk of being damaged. After researching, it’s most common in the United States. However, it’s almost guaranteed that if your neighborhood was built before 2000, that there is a home on your block with this style of electrical panel.

The whole job of a circuit breaker is to protect the wire in that circuit. With these old Federal Pacific breakers that far too many older homes have, their circuits are not effectively protected. If too much load is placed on a circuit in the home, a fire could start when these wires become overheated.

Personally, my home was built in the 1960s, and it had this exact panel before I gave myself an electrical service upgrade. The problem with these breakers is that while some may work, and some may not, the breakers will only work until they stop working. That’s when you’re at risk of an electrical fire.

Edmonton Electrician | Upgrading Your Electrical Service for Safety

I want to start off with a scenario of why these old breakers could result in an electrical fire hazard.

If you have various appliances going on one circuit and you’re drawing more than, say, 15 amps on a 15 amp rated circuit, this is a problem. With a CSA rated electrical circuit breaker, that breaker should recognize this issue and open the circuit.

So if it’s your morning routine and you have a microwave and a toaster on one circuit without tripping the breaker, this is a problem that you may not have known that you had. Another common indicator comes around the holidays. In most older homes, the kitchen electrical has not been brought up to current electrical standards and codes. Chances are pretty good that if you’re hosting Christmas and have multiple cooking appliances on one circuit without tripping, you may have an electrical service upgrade in your future.

At Hauer Power Electrical, we do offer free in-home electrical estimates for precisely this service. If you have a panel and a Federal Pacific panel, get an electrician to give you an estimate to provide you with an idea of what it’s going to cost to get rid of that fire hazard.

Research on electrical fires

The last thing you want in your home is an electrical fire hazard. Those Federal breakers may trip, but they might not trip as well. On average, the failure rate is as high as 70% to 80%. These rates come from industry a professional named Dr. Aronstein. Dr Jesse Aronstein has said that these faulty electrical circuit breakers could be responsible for over 100,000 house fires over the last 40 years.

Dr. Jesse Aronstein has estimated that an annual 2,800 fires, 13 deaths, and approximately $40 million in property damage occur at a declining rate due to these Federal Pacific panelboards. If you see a Federal pacific or federal pioneer on your panelboard, you may want to have a second opinion on your panel, as it may not be as safe as you would hope.

One important note of the federal pacific panelboard is that In May of 1999, Schneider Electric Canada had Federal Pioneer circuit breakers sold and re-named from Federal Pacific circuit. There are two models of breakers as well that have been recalled since then. The two model names are NC015 and NC015CP. These breakers were made from August 1, 1996, to June 11, 1997, and have been recalled. Thus it is safe to say that if you have had a federal panel installed anytime before 1997, it is almost a certainty that you have non-CSA approved electrical circuit breakers in your home. If this is the case, you should contact the best electricians in Edmonton for an upgrade.

Does the breaker physically fit?

Aside from the breakers being known not to trip, they also have a physical issue as well. Commonly these breakers are known to not fit tightly into an existing panelboard as tightly as they should. A loose breaker is that when a stable electrical connection is not made, arcing occurs. With arcing comes heat, and thus follows an electrical fire.

Edmonton Electrician | Upgrading Your Electrical Service From 60 Amps to 100 Amps or More.

There are several other panel brands in your home that you may also want to have upgraded due to them being discontinued or otherwise merely hard to find breakers for. Such panel brands are Sylvania, commander, Westinghouse, Novaline, etc. These panels are not necessarily dangerous, however, everything ages and fails with time, and electrical is no different.

They’re still pretty reliable panels. We always stock Siemens, and that’s what we like to replace for all of our customers. Siemens has been around for a very long time, and its breakers are quality. When we function test all of our equipment, they never seem to fail. As a plus, Siemens is made right here in Canada, so stock is never an issue, even in a global pandemic!

Consider new circiuts

Another reason why you may be interested in a service upgrade comes back to the space required to add new circuits. Some panels like square d, siemens, and Eaton have availability for slim saver breakers and space-saving tandem options. Federal pacific, federal pioneer, and Sylvania/Commander panels do not have these options.

So if you find yourself starting a kitchen renovation or installing an addition, you will require more space in your panel to bring these areas up to code with new circuits. This is another common starting point for an electrical service upgrade.

Another option is to have a subpanel installed, however with the current pandemic, finding a circuit breaker to fit your federal panel may not be so easy to source, as they are all back ordered for 2-3 months from all suppliers.

There are other ways to install an electrical subpanel; however, if you have a fire hazard for a panel, it is always a good idea to upgrade and safed out. The biggest hurdle is usually the cost, so Hauer Power Electrical offers to finance for all projects over $1000.

Edmonton Electrician | Upgrading Your Electrical Ampacity

Another Option for a quality service upgrade comes to your ampacity. An ampacity upgrade refers to when a client wishes to go from 60A-100A or from 100A to 200A or from 100A – 150A. These options all exist, as well. Often the most significant hurdle faced with these jobs is that your transformer from Epcor or Fortis is not large enough to accommodate such a massive draw. In these cases, the costs to your local utility company can be rather expensive. Sometimes, however, the transformer is of sufficient size, mostly if your home was built after 2011 here in Edmonton.

If your transformer is of sufficient size, then we at Hauer Power Electrical coordinate with the utility company, yourselves, and the local electrical inspectors to get your service up and running at the correct rated amount of power for you.

These ampacity upgrades are often required to install a hot tub, electric hot water, air conditioning, or a second kitchen suite. Without enough ampacity for all the loads needed for the home or business, the city won’t allow these additions.

Edmonton Electrician | Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

Another concern with electrical service upgrades is your electrical meter on the outside of your home. This meter must be of a specific size minimum and have a few key features to be compliant with current electrical codes. Also, the wire length inside must be sufficient for Epcor and Fortis, and the height must be compliant as well to pass inspection and restore power to the property.

Grounding. Grounding is always a significant factor in any electrical installation. If a home or business does not have correct grounding practices installed, many issues can arise. Current electrical codes may require your grounding to be brought up to code regarding your electrical service. At Hauer Power Electrical, we allow for this in our cost so that you don’t get any hidden fees after hiring us from the start.

Edmonton Electrician | Lookout for Dishonest Practices

Let’s get down to it. Service Upgrades are expensive, and if there’s one place where you want quality electrical work done, it’s at your panel. That’s why you want Hauer Power Electrical to work on your service upgrade from start to finish.

If you find a lower price somewhere and it seems too good to be true, that’s probably because it is. They’re likely trying to cut corners somewhere to get that job for that price. Our cost comes from the quality materials that we use and our experienced electricians. When we send you an invoice for our quality work performed, we wish it was all profit, but it certainly is not.

When upgrading a service, the major costs come to the cable, conduit, panel, breakers, grounding requirements, permit fees, labour, and all the little things that make the job get done correctly.

Older homes have a two-wire ungrounded system

An important note to make is regarding extremely old homes. Many older homes have an existing two-wire ungrounded system. If your home has no existing ground, then there may be new issues after upgrading your panel. Everything will be working safely and correctly.

There are two solutions for the ungrounded wires in your walls, such as GFCI use or ground fault circuit interrupters. Option B is GFCI Breakers right at the panel. These depend on which scenario is best given the conditions on-site and cost.

When an ungrounded system has poor wiring practices, a neutral or spare wire has often been used to conduct electricity in a circuit. In these cases, specific troubleshooting is required by your professional Edmonton electrician at Hauer Power Electrical.

Edmonton Electrician | Upgrading Your Electrical Service Professionally

If you could benefit from having their electrical service upgraded, give us a call at 780-935-0622. As Your Edmonton Electrician, we are here to power customer service. These informative articles are just one more way we like to reach out to you. It’s our aim to help fellow Edmontonians with their electrical. We offer free estimates to Edmonton and area, and we are happy to look at your electrical for you.

Ask about our promotion for new residential and commercial clients and contact us through our website at https://hauerpower.ca/

OR by emailing our team at [email protected]

Stay tuned! Call us if you have any questions or if you would like to book your electrical service upgrade. Have fun, and stay safe out there!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Be Part Of The Change By Becoming A Co-Owner!

Our Story…

Since day one, RenovationFind.com was founded to revolutionize the home improvement industry.  The company’s mission is to weed out the unqualified contractors from the good ones with its certification program and help promote them on a highly visible platform to homeowners in search for trusted contractors.  

It was founded by a successful and battle-tested serial entrepreneur, Keith Riley.  RenovationFind.com was born while he was operating a granite countertop company, he co-founded back in 2006.  He kept meeting homeowners who were either conned of their money, shoddy work or just a horrible overall experience with contractors.  He has heard it all – from plumbers starting a job and disappearing to a full house renovation where the homeowner put down a deposit and the contractor gutted the house and then declared bankruptcy.    Being the serial entrepreneur he is, he set out to find out why it kept happening.  To his surprise, there was nothing that truly addressed the problem.  He found that the only platforms on the market were review-based and as a contractor himself, he was aware of the growing problem with fictitious reviews.  Bringing his many years of industry experience, he concluded a need to transform the industry by regaining homeowner’s confidence by introducing a research-based platform that was data-driven.  

The company’s vision is to be the #1 trusted online resource for Canadian homeowners.

We are excited to launch our FrontFundr campaign and invite you, Canadian homeowners, to become co-owners and let us transform the industry together!

Why Invest?

“To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed.  They are just a multiplier.  Execution is worth millions.”  — Steve Jobs

Since its inception in 2014, the founding team has been pushing a boulder up a steep and rigorous mountain with the focus on building a ‘true’ business model – not just technology.  The team took the idea and successfully executed it and is now a business yielding $1.0 million in ARR and they have only scratched the surface – and is now ready to scale!

One of the secret ingredients to this founding team is the married duo; Keith Riley, Founder/CEO and Vivian Riley, COO.  Their aligned passions, complementary skill sets and industry experience makes any founding team relationship strong and successful.  They share the same goals, and after years of marriage, have perfected how they work and communicate with each other.  Together with their founding partner and lead developer, Jason Coo – the idea for RenovationFind.com was executed with incredible success.  So, you can invest with confidence knowing this team can execute to generate a healthy return on your investment.  They encourage you to check out their FrontFundr campaign (NOV 19th 2020) to learn more about this winning team.  

Building a business from the ground-up is not an easy task but the company is passionate about pushing through the challenges because they know they are making a difference by helping homeowners and contractors.  They have been growing alongside with some of their contractors who invested in their mission and vision because they believe in it.  Homeowners have shared their stories on how they love what they are doing and how they have helped! So, it was only natural to open the opportunity to our supporters to become co-owners in the company when they learned about FrontFundr, an equity crowd-funding platform through which all Canadians can invest in their company for as little as $500.  Together, let’s make RenovationFind.com a household name across Canada as the trusted online resource for homeowners to find the best contractors.  

They invite you to check out their FrontFundr campaign (NOV 19th 2020) to learn more about their company, accomplishments and growth plans.

Our Traction…

The Opportunity….

• $1.0 Million Raise
• $5.913 per share
• TFSA & RRSP Eligible

We want to give you an opportunity to invest

Since it’s inception, the idea for RenovationFind was executed and has grown into a successful company.  The company has continued to grow despite the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. In fact, both web traffic and sales have increased since the pandemic started. It is a proven business model. Plus, it has survived and thrived during challenging times. The team at RenovationFind has built a successful business, not just technology.

We wanted to extend an invitation to our community, homeowners, and home improvement companies that we’ve connected with since our beginnings.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Winter is well on its way, and now is the time to prepare your home for the harsh conditions it will bring with it. Investing in maintenance, properly storing summer items, and taking care of small repair projects can reduce the risk of damage and the need for expensive repairs down the road.

We have put together a winter maintenance checklist covering jobs to do both inside and outside of the home. Fall is the perfect time to tackle this home maintenance checklist, as many tasks on the list will be difficult in cold temperatures and deep snow.

Exterior Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Protecting your home from winter begins with your home’s exterior. Here is the exterior winter checklist:

Clean out the gutters

Leaves, sticks, and other debris can cause your gutters to clog. When the snow melts, the gutters can overflow, and water will start pooling around the foundation of your house. Eventually, the water will find a way into your basement. Carefully climb a ladder to clean out the gutters. Then make sure your downspouts are in good shape and lead the water at least 10 feet from the house.

Make sure your eavestroughs are in good condition and attached to the side of the roof correctly. If they are damaged or need replacing, contact an eavestrough company before the snow accumulates.

Drain and store hoses

Drain the water out of your garden hoses, remove them from faucets, and store them in the shed or garage. Then go inside and turn off the water supply to those exterior faucets. If left on, water can freeze and damage the pipes.

Shut down your sprinkler system

If your yard has a sprinkler or irrigation system, it’s time to drain and shut that down. Water left in the system will freeze and cause the pipes and hoses to crack. You can hire a property maintenance company to do this for you. You can also learn how to winterize a sprinkler system yourself to save money. You should also winterize any water features like fountains, waterfalls, or ponds.

Winterize your swimming pool

If you have an outdoor pool, remove debris from the water and drain it partially. You can buy a winter treatment kit to prevent damage over the winter. It would help if you also covered the pool to keep out debris. Properly store all other pool maintenance equipment, such as pool toys like noodles, floating toys, and life jackets.

Have the roof inspected

Most professional roofers will offer roof inspection services. If you’re comfortable on a ladder, there are some things you can look for yourself. Check the shingles for any apparent damage like curling, peeling, or missing shingles. Inspect the flashing around your chimney and vents and make sure it’s securely fastened. You can also pop your head in the attic and look for any signs of water getting in. If you see an issue, contact a roof repair company before the snow flies.

Winterize gas-operated yard equipment

Gas-fueled yard equipment like lawnmowers, weed trimmers and chain saws need to be prepared for winter too. If they still have fuel in them, use a fuel stabilizer to help preserve the gas until the spring. Otherwise, drain the gas and dispose of it at your local eco-centre. Either of these actions will help extend the lifespan of your equipment. Once done, safely store your equipment and tools in the shed or garage.

Inspect low hanging tree branches

If you have tree branches hanging over your home, garage, shed, or powerlines, you should have an arborist trim those limbs before winter. If it’s a large branch or even a small one from an evergreen tree, snow can accumulate on the branches and cause them to come down. Falling branches can damage to your property and power lines.

Check the deck

Unless you live on the west coast, snow and ice will accumulate on your deck for several months this winter. Now is the time to prepare the deck for that. First, store your patio furniture and clear the deck of anything that will get damaged in winter weather. You should also clean and store your barbeque if you’re not planning on using it during the winter. Then wash it, sweep debris, check for and repair rotten boards now.

Winterize the air conditioning unit

Proper air conditioner maintenance will extend your AC unit’s lifespan and allow it to perform most efficiently. First, clear all debris like leaves and sticks from around the unit. Disconnect it from power, so it doesn’t try to start up in the winter. Invest in a protective cover for the AC unit to keep ice and snow off of it.

Check the exterior for potential air leaks

Air leaks are a significant culprit for heat escaping from your home and increased energy bills. Take a walk around your house and check the exterior seals on all your windows and doors. If you find cracked or missing caulking, remove it and recaulk that area. Also, check for gaps around faucets, vents, or anything else that penetrates the wall. If you find holes in the wall, you should fill them with steel wool and caulking to prevent pests like mice from making a home in your house this winter.

Get the snowblower ready

If you haven’t already, have your snowblower serviced and make sure it starts properly. DIY maintenance might mean giving it an oil change and new spark plugs, so it runs well this winter. Get out other equipment you’ll need like snow shovels, gravel, or salt. Snow waits for no one, so you want to make sure it’s prepared to get to work this winter.

Alternatively, you can arrange for snow removal services. Save yourself the effort, time, and backache and allow a professional snow removal company to take care of your driveway and walkways for you. These companies can book up fast, so if this sounds like the best option for snow removal this winter, make the phone call soon.

Interior Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Now let’s move to the inside of the house. Part of your winter checklist should include an inspection of mechanical systems, insulation, windows and doors, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Have the furnace tuned up

Annual furnace maintenance is essential to the performance and longevity of your HVAC system. Each fall, have your furnace inspected and tuned up by a professional heating and cooling company. They will run it through a multi-point inspection, clean things up, make minor repairs, change your furnace filter, and ensure everything is in top shape for the winter ahead. Regular furnace maintenance will ensure your HVAC runs at peak performance and efficiency and will also ensure it’s running safely.

Regular maintenance will also prevent significant breakdowns or the need for a premature replacement. The harder your furnace has to work, the more strain it experiences, the shorter it’s lifespan. The last thing you want is for the furnace to quit in the middle of a cold winter’s night.

Call for a natural gas inspection

While you’re having the furnace inspected, arrange for an inspection of your natural gas lines and appliances. Your local natural gas provider will often offer this inspection service free-of-charge. They’ll check things like the furnace, hot water heater, gas fireplace, gas range, and other appliances for noticeable issues and carbon monoxide leaks. A gas inspection will ensure your home is safe and give you peace of mind as you enter the colder months.

Inspect and clean the fireplace and chimney

You shouldn’t use your wood-burning fireplace or wood stove this winter without inspecting and cleaning it first. Over the summer, debris could have gotten in the chimney. Sometimes birds or squirrels will make a nest in the chimney, which can be a major fire hazard. A professional chimney sweep will clear it of all debris, including last year’s soot, nests, and leaves. Not only will this reduce the risk of a fire, but it can also reduce the risk of dangerous gases getting into your indoor air.

Once that is done, start stocking up on firewood. Try to store firewood in a dry place that is not directly against the house. If the wood you brought in has carpenter ants or other pests, you don’t want them moving from the woodpile to your walls.

Check windows and doors for leaks

You’ve already done an exterior check for leaks on your windows and doors. Now it’s time to check the interior. A drafty window can make up for nearly 30% of energy loss in the home. If your windows are noticeably damaged, you might need a replacement. Otherwise, recaulking the interior seals and replacing damaged weather stripping could be enough to seal any leaks.

If you have older windows and a replacement isn’t in the budget this year, consider covering them with plastic. While it’s not ideal visually, this DIY task can help reduce drafts and will keep your heating bills manageable as the temperature drops.

Replace batteries on smoke and CO detectors

The change of seasons is a great time to inspect your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Swap out the old batteries for new ones, and run a test. If there are any issues, replace the detector immediately.

Smoke detectors need to be on each floor of the home, and usually near the kitchen. Carbon monoxide detectors should be in or near the bedrooms and on every floor of the house. Because the windows are closed in the winter and you use stoves and fireplaces more often, it’s vital to ensure your carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.

Inspect attic insulation and ventilation

Attic insulation and proper ventilation play an essential role in stopping heat escape and preventing condensation in the attic. Without ventilation, the cold air will condense, accumulate, freeze, and cause attic rain when it thaws. This kind of moisture can damage your insulation, framing, ceiling and promote mould and mildew growth.

Improper ventilation and insulation can also cause ice dams. Ice dams occur when the heat from the home’s interior goes into the attic, then escapes through the roof. It warms up the roof and causes the bottom layer of snow to melt and freeze again. Over the winter, you can end up with a thick sheet of ice hanging off your roof. Ice dams can cause significant damage to your roof and are a safety hazard if they fall.

If you need an insulation upgrade, now is a good time to do that. Most insulation contractors will also inspect your ventilation system to ensure adequate airflow up there. Otherwise, check the insulation around your interior attic hatch. Make sure there are no gaps in insulation to keep that warm air from escaping into the attic.

Inspect your plumbing to prevent pipes from freezing

Water expands when it freezes, and frozen pipes can burst and lead to all kinds of expensive water damage problems. Inspect the accessible pipes on your exterior walls, especially in the basement or crawlspace, and insulate them if they are not already. If you plan on going away this winter, keep the heat up to ensure the pipes are kept warm.

If you are going away, have someone check on your home every other day to ensure everything is okay. Frozen and burst pipes are not covered under most home insurance policies if no one checks on your home. Typically, an insurance policy will require a check every 2-3 days while you’re away.

Get the humidifier ready

Circulating dry air through your HVAC system all winter can cause dry skin, itchy eyes, and an irritated throat. You can keep moisture in the air with an air humidifier. Many HVAC systems have a humidifier attached to them, so if you shut yours off in the summer, it is time to turn it back on. If you don’t have one, connect with an HVAC company to have one installed.

Help with your winter home maintenance checklist

You can complete many of the tasks on this winter home checklist yourself. However, some jobs will require the help of a professional contractor. For example, you should always hire an HVAC contractor to deal with any furnace or air conditioning service. For plumbing repairs or inspections, trust the help of a certified and reputable plumbing company. Or, if you’d like to save yourself the time, professional handyman services can tackle many of the projects on this list.

Investing time and money in preventative maintenance will help you maintain the value of your property. It can reduce or eliminate the need for costly repairs, replacements, and make your home safe and comfortable this winter.

If you need help with any of the items on this list, trust a certified company from the RenovationFind directory. All companies on our listings have gone through a stringent screening process, and they are continually monitored to ensure they’re keeping up to our high standards. You’ll find a list of these companies in your Canadian city below.

Find a RenovationFind Certified home improvement company in your city!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com