If this year has taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen, and we need to be diligent and prepared! Get your home winter ready. As October comes to a close, we all know that winter is coming and will be here before we know it. While we won’t experience the coldest weather until mid-January through to early February, there are important things you can do around your home now to prepare for the season.
Burst Pipes
Beyond saving money, in this COVID-19 world, dealing with burst pipes is low on the list of things you want to deal with. Pipes burst because water inside expands, increasing the pressure and then fractures the pipe.

To avoid this, here are just a few simple steps you can do:
- When the weather is extremely cold, keep one or two faucets running slowly which will prevent your pipelines from freezing
- If you can direct warm air to any colder areas of your home (like your basement for example) this can help keep your pipes warm enough they won’t freeze
- Disconnect your hose from the outside faucet to ensure water is able to be completely drained.
- Before winter hits, seal all the leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes
Ice Dams
Another common sight that we see every winter are ice dams. Ice dams usually occur from the fall through to the spring on the edge of your roof after a snowfall. While they might look pretty, they can cause significant structural damage such as mould which happens when water enters the home. The attic is usually the first location damage occurs but is usually missed until other areas of the home also become affected.

So, what can YOU do to prevent this from happening in your home?
- Since the main cause of ice dams is a warm attic, insulate your attic, this will lower the temperature
- Another way to prevent your attic from becoming too warm is to ensure there is proper ventilation. The ideal number is one square foot vent for every 150 feet of attic floor area.
- This one might seem obvious; remove snow from your roof (safely!). It is best if you can remove 3 – 4 inches of snow from your roofline
Basement Flooding
Another common occurrence we see during the winter months is water damage, especially in basements. This is caused from ice storms, freezing rain and melting snow over time can damage the structural integrity of your home.

Here are some simple tips to stop your basement from flooding this winter:
- Remove any debris from your storm drains
- If you are able, redirect water away from your foundation
- Install window well covers
- Repair any cracks that might be present in your foundation or windows
Get your home winter ready with SDS DKI
We know a preventative plan is the best way to keep our homes safe and in good repair but sometimes accidents still happen and that’s why you can always count on the team at Saskatoon Disaster Services DKI to be there to help turn your destruction into reconstruction.
If you need help getting your home winter ready, give us a call, Saskatoon Disaster Services DKI is your full-service restoration company, here when you need us most!
References:
https://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/SK/Regina
https://www.consumerreports.org/home-maintenance-repairs/how-to-keep-pipes-from-freezing/