North Bay residents are enduring a “classic Canadian winter”. The presence of more snow this year means taking the proper precautions to protect your home, especially your windows and doors. Here’s what you should do this winter to protect your property and avoid costly replacements or repairs.
1. Keep water away from your home
Keeping water away from your house is one of the most important proactive things you can do to keep your home from being damaged. Regularly clearing out basement window wells is a good habit to get into, as snow trapped in your window wells can eventually melt and seep through your window frames, creating a variety of problems. One way to keep snow and water away from your home is by creating a wall of well-packed snow around your basement window wells, which will prevent any excess water from running into them and becoming trapped. This step will help to save your basement windows from unnecessary wear-and-tear, and your basement from flooding.
2. Remove screens
One way to preserve your windows during these winter months is to remove their screens until the snow has melted – your windows will be closed all winter, making your screens obsolete until the spring. If we do get a mild day, there won’t be any bugs out to worry about if you do want to crack a window. Removing screens from your windows will ensure that snow does not become trapped between the window and screen, which can cause water intrusion and damage your windows over time.
3. Regular window and door maintenance
During the months when the snow is falling and wind howling, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of regularly checking your windows and doors. Clearing them of snow and icicles will ensure that no water makes its way into your home, and will protect your windows and doors from snow and wind damage. Windows and doors that directly face the direction of snow and wind are prone to damage, so it’s important to keep these as clear as possible – within reason of course. A little snow and ice won’t hurt, but a lot can increase the chances of damage to seals and frames.
4. Check weather stripping
Weather stripping is designed to create a tight seal around your window and door fixtures and their frames in order to protect your home from the elements. This weather stripping can eventually begin to wear over time, which can result in air and water leakage.
This damages your windows and doors and costs you more on your heating bill. Inspecting your weather stripping and replacing it when needed will help to save your fixtures and prevent high heating bills.
5. Inspect for frame damage
Your window and door frames, especially wooden ones, can be susceptible to deterioration over time caused by weather. They can become warped from the hot summer sun, or worn from the wind and snow that accompanies winter. Damaged window and door frames can misalign your fixtures and create cracks that allow air to find its way into your home. Sealing and repairing damaged window and door frames will help you save on heating bills, and keep the cold winter air outside where it belongs.
It’s important to make sure your windows can take a “classic Canadian winter”. By being proactive and taking the proper precautions, you can add years to the lifespan of your windows and doors, save big on heating costs, and save your home from damaging water and air leaks. And remember, Northwood is always here if you need any repairs or replacements, even in the middle of the winter.