With leaves turning golden, autumn is a beautiful time of year to appreciate stunning vistas. It’s also a great time to get ready for snow and ice by winterizing your property.
Why it’s a good idea to winterize
A key part of regular maintenance, preparing your property or vehicle helps ensure that it runs smoothly during the rough winter months. Cold, ice and snow can take its toll and you don’t want to be left without heat in your home, worrying about your cottage while it is vacant, or stuck on the road way in the middle of a snowstorm waiting for a tow. As with any other season, a winterized home or vehicle is a good way to manage insurance costs by making you eligible for additional savings such as upgraded heating or installing winter tires.
For your home
- Inspect the roof and attic for any repairs that need to be made to avoid any leaks from snow or rain. If you have an attic, check that you have sufficient insulation to avoid drafts.
- If you have a fireplace, check the chimney for any debris. A dirty chimney can lead to fires.
- Drain any outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses to protect pipes from freezing.
- Have your furnace checked by a professional and replace the filter.
- Weatherproof windows and doors by replacing weatherstripping or sealing gaps with caulk.
- Store away your patio furniture and BBQ grill, or put on weatherproof covers and secure them to avoid being blown away by strong winds.
A couple of years ago, CP24 did a video on home winterization tips which are still relevant today. Watch it here.
For your vehicle
- Install winter tires for better safety on icy or snowy roads. You also enjoy additional savings on your insurance premium.
- Check your tires for the appropriate pressure for the temperature.
- Replace worn wiper blades that leave streaks or make unpleasant sounds so that you have a clear view through your windshield.
- Make sure you top up on windshield washer and check it regularly throughout the season
- Check that your batteries, lights and brakes are all working or if they need to be replaced.
- Make sure you have winter gear ready such as ice scraper and brush, shovel, jumper cables, blankets, tire pressure gauge, inflator, etc.
For your cottage, boat and more
- Walk around the property to check that doors and window frames have enough caulking.
- Make sure to block all openings, whether big or small to keep critters from entering.
- Clean indoor area and store linens, empty the kitchen of any food and drinks that could attract intruders.
- Clean the outdoor area and store away furniture and equipment such as lawnmowers, BBQ grill, bikes and toys.
- Make sure rowboats, canoes or pedal boats are dry and away from the water.
- Drain the plumbing system and shut everything down. Ontario’s Electrical Safety Authority has some guidance on how to shut electricity at your cottage safely.
- If you own a boat or yacht, follow the winterization guide provided by your manufacturer. Whether you do it yourself or have a professional or marina do it, remember that most boat insurance policies require winterization as a condition of coverage.
For your business
Just like your home and car, your business premises and commercial vehicle need regular repair and maintenance. And that means winterizing too, to help ensure that your operations continue to run smoothly even during the coldest of days.
- The risk of a slip and fall incident increases exponentially during the winter months. In addition to snow removal and de-icing your property, make sure that you check your insurance policy for adequate commercial general liability insurance coverage in the event of a slip and fall claim.
- Snow removal is crucial for commercial properties, especially if there is access by employees, customers or the general public. It’s a good idea to contract a snow removal service to ensure that it is done in a timely way.
- Keep your furnace running with timely maintenance and make sure to replace the filter.
- Clear the roof and eavestroughs and make any necessary repairs or replacements to prevent further damage.
- Drain faucets or pipes in areas of the building that are unheated to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Check your insurance policy
It’s important to ensure that the information on your insurance policy is updated and correct so that you get the right amount of coverage. If you’ve made updates, changed or upgraded your roofing or heating, or made renovations, contact your insurance broker to see how these impact your insurance policy.