With the cold weather, icy roads and snowy conditions creeping its way in, it’s best practice to get ahead of your winterizing prep for your vehicle and home.
Here are some tips on how you can winterize your vehicle before the snow hits!
Install Winter Tires
Installing winter tires on your car will give you more traction on the snow and ice making it safer for driving in these conditions. Make sure you let your insurance company know you have installed winter tires on your car, this could get you a small discount on your policy.
Change Old Windshield Wiper Blades & Refill Washer Fluid
If your windshield wiper blades have seen better days, you’re best off changing them before the snow starts to fall. It wouldn’t be fun trying to figure how to install new ones in a blizzard! Also, make sure your windshield washer fluid is topped up, preferably with a winter “de-icer” mixture. This will make your life a lot easier, and safer on those frosty mornings.
Get an Oil Change & Battery Check
While you’re at your mechanics shop getting your winter tires put on, you may as well get an oil change, and your battery checked as well.
Floor Mats, Snow Brush, Gloves & Other Things to Keep in Mind!
Changing your floor mats to winter ones will save the interior of your car from all the salt, snow and dirt. Keeping a pair of gloves and a snow brush in the car will be a big help in the future. A pair of sunglasses will help with the bright glare that comes from the bright white snow and a shovel, because you never know when you’ll need to dig yourself out of the snow.
Buy or Make Your Own Roadside Emergency Kit
You never know when you’ll need a roadside emergency kit, you could buy one or create your own. Check out our blog post HERE for the essential items that should be in your roadside emergency kit!
As a side note, think about investing in and signing up for CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) roadside assistance, they can assist you if you encounter problems with your car such as; battery service (boost or replacement), flat tire (installing of spare tire so you don’t get stranded), fuel delivery (just in case you run out of gas), lockout (just in case you lock your keys inside the car by accident) and towing services (if you have an accident or car dies) to name a few.
Here are some tips on how to winterize your home before the winter season!
Check & Unclog Gutters
Unclogging your gutters and make it easier for the melting snow to runoff instead of accumulating and creating dangerous icicles or icy frozen puddles on the ground.
Drain Outside Water Hoses and Faucets
You should drain your outdoor water hose lines to avoid bursting pipes and flooding due to expansion when freezing. Unless you have freeze-resistant hose bibs. You’ll have to shut off the water supply to drain those lines.
Knowledge of Utility Shut Offs
Making sure you know or learn how to shut off all utilities such as gas, electricity and water can save you in the event of an emergency should you ever face one!
Inspect the Weather Stripping Around All Doors and Windows
Replace the weather stripping around door and windows where needed to not only prevent the cold draft from and coming in but to prevent the warm air from seeping out.
Get your Fireplace Cleaned
If you have a fireplace whether it’s a gas or a wood burning fireplace, you should get it cleaned!
Inspect your Furnace or Boiler & Air Ducts
Making sure your furnace or boiler is working properly will keep your house warm this winter! Also don’t forget to check your air ducts and have them cleaned out if need be. Keeping on top of changing your furnace filter as well will keep it running like new!
Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CO Detectors)
Check and maintain your Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CO Detectors) make sure the backup battery is still good and that the detector is in operating condition. If you don’t have one, it is highly recommended to get one as carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and a silent killer. CO detectors will alert you and your family of carbon monoxide buildup in your home before it’s too late.
All in all, keeping on top of all of the above tips will help you maintain what you’ve works so hard for and keep your vehicle and home safe and warm this winter season.
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