Wind, snow, and ice can make winter a challenging season for any home. However, there are proactive measures homeowners can take to lessen the effects.
If you own a new home, it's important to understand the value of regular maintenance and the steps you can follow to protect your investment.
Regular maintenance is critical
All new homes in Ontario come with a builder's warranty that lasts up to seven years from the date of possession. That warranty is backed by Tarion.
However, if regular maintenance is not done, it could cause certain types of damage to your new home that may not be covered under the builder’s warranty. It’s important that you conduct year-round maintenance to help protect your home.
Roof maintenance in winter
A common occurrence in winter is fluctuating temperatures that may cause ice to build up on your roof. This can happen when the roof surface is warm enough to melt the snow, but the surrounding air temperature is cold enough to re-freeze the melted water.
A regular cycle of freezing and thawing, especially in the areas of roof over-hangs, dormers and skylights, can eventually lead to water seeping inside the home.
If you notice heavy ice build-up, it may be a good idea to get a professional to clear your roof of snow and ice to help reduce the likelihood of water leaks.
Keep air intakes and vents clear
You should also make sure all air intakes, exhaust vents and meters on the outside of the house are clear of snow to ensure air flow isn’t impeded and meters are accessible.
It is also good practice to have your gutters cleaned and cleared of all debris that could get in the way of normal drainage.
And if you haven’t already, be sure to turn off and drain all exterior hoses and pipes.
Monitor and manage moisture levels inside your home
Inside your home, it’s very important to manage moisture levels during the winter months.
Today’s new energy-efficient homes are built to keep out the elements. However, if water does penetrate, it can lead to excessive levels of moisture in your home. High levels of moisture can cause considerable damage to your new home and even result in unhealthy indoor air quality.
High levels of moisture in the home can also come from simple, day-to-day tasks such as showering, cooking, and doing laundry. Make sure that bathroom fans, kitchen range hoods and heat recovery ventilators – items that are specifically installed in your new home – are used correctly and working properly. De-humidifiers can also be used to manage high humidity levels.
Too little moisture can also cause damage. For example, wood products may shrink, and your interior finishes may be affected. If your home’s humidity levels are too low, a portable humidifier can help.
The healthy humidity range for your home in winter is 30 to 45 per cent. You can check your home’s humidity by using a hygrometer, a device found in most hardware or home-building stores.
General maintenance around your home
Other indoor maintenance should include:
- cleaning or replacing your furnace filter;
- cleaning the heat recovery ventilator and washing or replacing the filter; and,
- checking all caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors.
Purchasing a new home is a big investment. When you conduct regular and proper maintenance, you will help ensure that your home stays in good condition.
Tarion is here to help. For a comprehensive list of winter home maintenance tips, visit our Learning Hub.