Winter is the season of roasting chestnuts, ugly Christmas sweaters, and—brace yourselves—burst pipes, heating failures, and accidental ice skating on your front porch. Whether you’re a brave soul facing the freeze or a snowbird who thinks “winter is for the birds,” your home’s going to need a bit of TLC. So put down that eggnog, pause your binge-watching of winter-themed TV shows, and let’s get cracking on making sure your home doesn’t turn into an iceberg.
Insulate Like a Pro—or a Penguin
Ever wondered how penguins stay warm? Layers! Same goes for your home. Insulate those pipes like you would with your grandma’s knitted scarf, especially in drafty dungeons like the basement or attic. Your wallet will thank you, and your pipes won’t get a case of the winter chills.
Tune-Up Your Heating Like It’s a Vintage Car
Ah, the heating system—the beating heart of any cozy winter home. Treat it like you would a vintage car—take it for a professional check-up, change its filters like you change socks, and pamper it so it doesn’t go on strike in the middle of a snowstorm.
Drain the Swamp—Um, Pipes
If you’re flying south for the winter, congratulations! But before you sip margaritas on the beach, drain your water system. You don’t want to return to a DIY indoor swimming pool in your living room.
Roof & Gutter Spa Day
Look up—your roof needs love too! Check for loose tiles, saggy bits, and leaf-filled gutters. After all, you don’t want your house sporting an accidental Mohawk hairstyle due to ice dams.
Hire a Snow Butler
Accumulated snow might look like a winter wonderland, but it’s a nightmare for your roof. If you’re gone, hire a “Snow Butler” (aka a snow removal service) to keep things clean. It’s like having a personal stylist but for your house.
Unplug Like You’re On a Digital Detox
Leaving town? Time for your appliances to take a vacation too. Unplug to reduce your electric bill and the risk of your toaster staging a rebellion. But do keep your home security system and a few timed lights on—no need to invite uninvited guests, if you know what I mean.
Psss.
Looking to have use professional manage your property while you are away?
We can schedule periodic visits of your home or condo, hirer snow removal contractors, arrange for mail pick up and/or coordinate with electricians, HVAC contractors and others in case of Emergency. Learn more about our Ottawa home winterizing services.
Smart Tech: Your Home’s Personal Assistant
Just like you wouldn’t be caught dead without your smartphone, your home shouldn’t be left in the dark ages. Invest in some smart gadgets that can alert you if your home decides to “spring a leak” or “catch a cold.”
Fort Knox Your Home
Nothing says “empty home” like piled-up mail and snowdrifts in the driveway. Lock doors, windows, and maybe even invest in a security system with eyes everywhere. Think of it as your home’s personal paparazzi, minus the scandal.
Do a Home Selfie
You know the importance of selfies, right? Do the same for your home. Take an inventory of all your cool stuff and double-check your insurance policies. Because if something goes south while you’re down south, you’ll have the receipts—literally.
Emergency Friends
Let’s face it; you can’t control everything, unless you’re a wizard. If not, consider hiring a home check service. They’re like babysitters for your home, but they won’t raid your fridge.
There you have it—a slightly absurd but super useful guide to making sure winter doesn’t get the best of your home. Now, go ahead and enjoy your winter, whether you’re building a snowman army or sipping cocktails under a palm tree.
Winterizing Services and Home Walkthrough Visits for Snowbirds
If you are looking to have us manage the winterizing of your home from hiring a snow removal contractor to conducting periodic visits of your property to make sure all systems including heating are properly working while you are away, you’ve come to the right place! RentSetGo Property Management offers a wide array of services for Ottawa snowbirds who fly south for the winter. Inquire with our team to learn more.