Not sure if you saw in the news, but some of our neighbours to the west are already looking at snow this week! 5-10 cm is nothing to joke about! Lucky for us, being in Saskatchewan, we can get a leg up on Father Winter by watching Albertans bust out the shovel early.
That also opens the doors (this is a pun, somehow) for us to prepare the house accordingly for wintertime.
There are some little things that we can all do to ensure our house is energy efficient, which should help provide peace of mind when the temperature actually drops!
Clean out the gutters!
We’ve seen it in so many commercials, but this is critical; the half-in-half-out freezing season can become a real mess if ice binds debris in our gutters together, which can then lead to roof damage. While you’re on the ladder, make sure your eavestroughs are steady and secure. And speaking of roofs…
Visually inspect your shingles
We’re not advocating that anyone wander onto the roof without the proper training, but pay some attention to those shingles; a few frayed edges could cause water to leak into the attic during a melt. Pay extra mind to the apex of the roof; this is the part that usually takes in the most sun, and that can cause weakening.
Check for air leaks!
Inspect window and door edges for leaks; this is a major contributor to heat loss, so check the weather-stripping and replace it where you need to. It’s an easy job, and a somewhat pleasant one on a mild day. You don’t want to be out there when the temperature drops below freezing!
Finish up the garden
Wrap the shrubs, store the patio accessories, and use those leaves you’re busy raking as mulch to cover the garden up. Over the winter, the decay will help make your garden that much more lush in the springtime! Lastly, be sure to turn off the exterior water and get the hoses drained; you don’t want to leave water in the lines!
Check your carbon monoxide detector 
As a side-tip, give the furnace a quick crank to make sure it’s working. Then, because you’re so close to having the furnace active, make sure your carbon monoxide detector is up to spec, as the furnace is a leading generator of carbon monoxide when it’s keeping your home toasty. While you’re at it, it’s a great time to make sure the smoke alarms are all in working order, too.
Making sure the house is ready for winter is far more affordable and efficient than waiting until something breaks. After all: prevention usually beats the cure! We hope this serves as a good reminder, and happy winterizing!
