Get your home ready for winter

Winter is finally coming across the Lower Mainland! It's was a mild fall and a slow start to winter so if you're like us, you probably haven't done much to winterize your home. But when the freezing cold temperatures hit this weekend, you can avoid any serious damage to your home, and have more time to hybernate with your favourite snacks under a warm blanket with your favourite series because you've taken care of everything in advance! WIN!

We asked the Hardware team at our Langley Retail Centre for their tips to winterize your home and have included the most important ones here. Don't forget, pick up all your winter essentials from snow shovels, ice melt and heaters to warm jackets, toques, gloves, socks and so much more at our Langley Retail Centre. 

WINTERIZE YOUR HOME

• Protect Indoor/Outdoor Pipes
  
  This one feels really important because a burst pipe can set you back hundreds if not thousands if there is enough water damage. Pipe insulation, is something you can easily install yourself around any external water pipes as well as sinks and other piping that might be exposed to the elements. Best part is it's pretty inexpensive, especially the headache it can save. You can also pick up a bottle of Pipe Antifreeze, available at our langley Retail Centre.
  
  Drain and store any garden hoses or sprinklers before the cold hit to ensure they won't freeze and possibly burst on you. Shut off the water supply for our outdoor taps.

• Inspect your tree branches
  

  Have a look around your home for branches growing over areas that could cause trouble including your house, garage, driveway, or power lines. During a wind, snow or ice storm, those could come down and cause major damage. 

  Look out for dead limbs. Look out for tress carrying dead leaves, or have mushrooms sprouting. Of course, if you have any questions, it's always best to call an arborist to evaluate and safely remove any possible issues.

• Get your Fireplace/Chimney checked
  
  The best part of these arctic winter blasts is staying home with a fire crackling. Make sure your fireplace is ready to handle the workload during these cold snaps. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Vaccum your vents and other components. While you're at it, don't forget to check your furnace as well. 
  
  
• Re-caulk your windows and doors
  
  Winterize your home and prevent cold air and water infiltration by re-caulking windows and doors. This will retain heat inside your home and keep your expenses down. If cold air is getting inside, then your heating/gas bill will skyrocket keeping your home warm, the bigger the house, the more expensive it will be. Silicone-based sealants work best for this job because they're more durable in the cold weather months. Ask one of our Otter Co-op Hardware Specialists for more tips.

Other tips to beat the cold include:

• Stock up on ice melt. This is good to have on hand for your driveway, front steps and sidewalk. Anywhere people will need to access. This will prevent ice from building up and anyone slipping while visiting or delivering to your home. 
• Make sure your flashlights have batteries and you know where your reserves are kept. During winter ice and wind storms it's common for the power to go out. Making sure you have batteries in your flashlights will keep you from being left in the dark.
• Keep your electronics charged. If the power goes out, wifi might be spotty, but you'll have a bit of entertainment.