View from custom built home framed by Archive Contracting & Design

We’ve been pretty lucky with weather here in Alberta lately. However, the winter is slowly creeping in and it’s time to starting checking things off the Winter Home Maintenance list.

As the home becomes more of a refuge in the throws of winter, comfort, warmth and functionality become top priority.

Winter can be beautiful but it can also introduce some weather related issues in and around the home. Through routine maintenance checks and preventative maintenance, winter-related disasters can be avoided and your home can function at an optimal levels on even the coldest days. and enjoy your holidays.

Here are some things to think about:

Inspect doors and windows
Feel a draft somewhere? If you didn’t catch this during your Fall maintenance check, take action now! Each draft eliminated will increase your home’s efficiency and lower your home energy costs.

• Seal any gaps and cracks to prevent heat from escaping the house.

• Repair caulking around doors, windows and anywhere there are wall penetrations (vents, faucets, outlets etc.).

• Inspect the weather stripping on doors and windows as well and replace, if necessary.

Clean The Fireplace
If sitting by the fire on a cold winter’s night is your idea of the perfect night. Give a certified chimney sweep a call to clean it out before you spend winter nights cozied up in front of the fire.

This is a necessary safety measure for any wood burning fireplace since the build up of creosote and soot inside the chimney could potentially start an even bigger fire. On that note, make sure any fire extinguishers in the house are in good working order and easily accessible and double check your emergency exits are left unobstructed.

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
This becomes increasingly important in the colder months when windows are closed, wood burning stoves and fireplaces are being used and houses are full of those we love.

Maintain The Furnace
Air filters should be changed regularly however, this is your reminder to do check if your furnace is due for one now! Clogged filters can cause the furnace to use more energy and be less efficient. Have it serviced by a qualified professional on an annual basis to ensure is operating safely and efficiently.

Last But Not Least
Remove large amounts of snow from the roof as soon as possible and regularly clean the gutters. Keeping both of these things clean clear of snow and debris could prevent ice dams, leaking and any further damage.

Inspecting your roof regularly for things like loose or damaged shingles, worn or cracked boots around vent pipes and moss can help prepare you for any necessary repairs. It is the first line of defence against the weather so the roof is put through a lot.

Adding Warmth
Creating cozy gathering spaces for the winter - and holiday - season can give your home a welcoming and functional upgrade. By enhancing interior lighting, you can add warmth and brightness to even the darker winter days. Even enhanced exterior lighting can increase the sense of well-being and safety.

Whether you love the Winter Wonderland that the colder season brings or you love to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa by a roaring fire engulfed in fluffy pillows and comfy blankets, the importance of maintaining your house is paramount. Although these tasks take time and effort, the comfort, warmth and safety it will bring to you and to others, will be worth it….guaranteed.

Custom House Build in King Edward Park (Edmonton)

Weather we like it or not, fall has arrived! Shorter (and colder) days, those beautiful fall colours emerging and spooky season decorations popping up mean that it’s time to prepare your home for the months ahead. It’s Fall home maintenance time!

There are many tasks to be done around the home when it comes to fall maintenance but for this post, we have curated a list of four tasks that we think are of high importance. Grab some sort of writing utensil and start your Fall Home Maintenance To-Do list! Let’s get to it…

1. Clean Eavestroughs
Eavestroughs - also knowns as gutters - are designed to collect the water that runs off your roof and direct it away from your home. Any clogging of your rainwater drainage system could potentially cause exterior damage (rot, settlement, foundation issues) and even interior flooding (rotten fascia boards, walls and ceilings, wet basement).

It is recommended to clean eavestroughs approximately twice a year (usually in the fall and late spring). Leaves are the main offender for clogged gutters so waiting until those pesky leaves have fallen will save you multiple trips up the ladder. Removing leaves and other debris will also deter small animals and birds from getting comfortable in the gutters and roof.

2. Inspect Roof
Look up! Look way up! Grab your binoculars and take a peek up on the rooftop! Look out for loose, cracked or missing shingles, rust spots on flashing or cosmetic issues such as algae or lichen. Inspecting your roof once a year could help you plan in advance for any necessary repairs.

Building Envelope Repair in Edmonton

3. Clean and Inspect Furnace
You do not want to wait until the cold air hits to ensure that your furnace is working efficiently so at the very least, clean or replace the filter. It is best practice to do that on a monthly basis anyhow. If you have a service agreement with your HVAC provider, then now is the time to schedule a full tune-up.

4. Check Doors and Windows
Windows and doors can account for up to 25% of total heat loss in a house, according to Natural Resources Canada’s “Keeping The Heat In’. Reducing air leakage not only provides comfort to those inside the home, it protects the building envelope from potential moisture damage.

Inspect doors and windows for any sign of rot, mould or staining. Inspect the weather stripping which to be effective, must not allow air to pass through. While replacing weather stripping is the most cost effective way to eliminate drafts windows and doors, you might consider upgrading to more energy efficient models. This is a great investment and would ensure maximum home comfort while saving on heating bills!

While you’re at it, check other entry points (electrical, cable, phone and gas) and eliminate any drafts if and when you detect them.

All of these tasks are relatively easy and can be done yourself. However, hiring a professional might be worth the expense. An expert will certainly have in depth knowledge for specific issues and years of experience that will help correct a potential problem at the source. Either way, checking these maintenance items off early will help prevent bigger issues later in the colder season.

Happy Fall!

Rooftop over Edmonton neighbourhood

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Winter brings a sense of wonder, coziness and comfort, doesn’t it? Warm fires, comfort food, cozy blankets, Christmas movies…

The home becomes a refuge in the throws of winter. But it can also introduce some weather related issues in and around the home. Through routine maintenance checks and preventative maintenance, you can avoid winter-related disasters, keep your home functioning at an optimal level and enjoy your holidays.

Now that we’ve received another blast of Winter, it’s time to start checking things off the Winter Home Maintenance list.

1. Inspect doors and windows
   Feel a draft somewhere? If you didn’t catch this during your Fall maintenance check, take action now! Seal any gaps and cracks to prevent heat from escaping the house. Repair caulking around doors, windows and anywhere there are wall penetrations (vents, faucets, outlets etc.). Inspect the weather stripping on doors and windows as well and replace, if necessary. Each draft eliminated will increase your home’s efficiency and lower your home energy costs.

2. Clean The Fireplace
   If sitting by the fire on a cold winter’s night is your idea of the perfect night, give a certified chimney sweep a call to clean it out before using it regularly. This is a necessary safety measure for any wood burning fireplace since the build up of creosote and soot inside the chimney could potentially start an even bigger fire.
   
   On that note, make sure any fire extinguishers in the house are in good working order and easily accessible. Double check your emergency exits are left unobstructed.
   

3. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
   This becomes increasingly important in the colder months when windows are closed and wood burning stoves and fireplaces are being used. Test, test, test!

4. Maintain The Furnace
   Change the air filters regularly. Clogged filters can cause the furnace to use more energy and be less efficient. To ensure your furnace is operating safely and efficiently, have it serviced by a qualified professional on an annual basis.

5. The Roof! The Roof!
   As mentioned in our ‘Prepare Your Home for Fall’ blog post, inspecting your roof can help prepare you for any necessary repairs. It is the first line of defence against the weather so it’s put through a lot. Not only check for missing, loose or buckled shingles but look out for cracked or worn boots around vent pipes as well as masses of moss or lichen where possible decay would lay underneath.
   
   Remove large amounts of snow from the roof as soon as possible and regularly clean the gutters. Keeping both of these things clean clear of snow and debris could prevent ice dams, leaking and any further damage.

Roof of custom built home framed by Archive Contracting & Design

Whether you love the Winter Wonderland or you love to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa by a roaring fire engulfed in fluffy pillows and comfy blankets, the importance of maintaining your house is paramount. Although these tasks take time and effort, the warmth your home brings to you and to others, will be worth it….guaranteed.