The fluctuating weather we experience in the Okanagan, snow one day and gone the next, heavy rains and surprisingly warm days for the end of Autumn, means that we can forget what season we are steadily moving towards!
However, even with the melting snow and sunny days, it’s important not to forget that winter is quickly approaching and with it, a lot of necessary preparation to get your home or commercial property safe, warm and prepared for the onslaught of storms and consistently cold weather.
Keep reading below to learn some of our preparation tips and suggestions as we move towards winter.
Make sure to not forget about those areas in your home that are more often dedicated to storage or insulation and protection. Attics, roofs, basements and crawl spaces take up a surprising amount of space but can be very effective in keeping your building warm if utilized effectively!
Your attic and roof are incredibly important for the safety and comfort of your home. A lot of heat can escape through your attic and roof, and serious damage can be done if roofing issues are left unattended during the fall and winter months. Attic insulation is crucial for keeping your home or commercial property comfortable as well as keeping those energy bills low. Attics are also one of the most affordable places to add insulation in your building!
If you are a passionate DIY kind of person, here are a few tips for attic insulation:
Did you know that c4u Inspections is one of the only companies in the Okanagan Valley to provide extensive roof and attic inspections? We offer professional, thorough inspections to help you combat roofing issues like air leakage and poor insulation. Reach out to us at any time if you think you may have an insulation issue that needs to be assessed!
Basements or crawl spaces in the lower parts of your house play an equally important role in keeping your home or commercial property warm and safe. Your basement walls are a bit more unique in that they must be able to deal with moisture from outside AND inside the home. Basements can be insulated on the outside with more rigid insulation or be interior-insulated with batt insulation or specific types of fibreglass. This is usually done professionally in the construction process of your home or when finishing your basement and therefore is a little less DIY friendly, though the interior insulation is possible if you are finishing your basement yourself!
For the crawl spaces throughout your home, make sure you pay attention to the pipes that could need a little TLC due to the cold. Plumbing pipes in your crawl space can potentially be damaged by water freezing during the fall and winter months. For the DIYers, adding heat tape can help with freezing pipe issues in cold crawl spaces.
One important thing to note is that you never want to try insulating a basement that has moisture problems. This has the potential to cause serious mold and damage issues for the entirety of your home. We can help with a thorough inspection to make sure your basement or crawl space insulation is effective and there are no lurking moisture issues if you want to finish your basement yourself!
At c4u Inspections, we are here to help make the transition from fall to winter property maintenance as easy as possible with a few professional suggestions. While there is a lot you can do as a property owner to prepare for winter, if you find a potential issue you are concerned about, we are here to support you!
Serving the Okanagan Since 2005
