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Same Day Service Since
2001
Call The Gentleman Pros Now!
(403) 879-1819
Same Day Service Since
2001
Call The Gentleman Pros Now!
(403) 879-1819
Winter comes early in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton, and sometimes when we are least prepared.
The last thing any homeowner wants is a burst pipe, frozen faucet, or furnace breakdown. Preparation can save you time and money, and peace of mind. Here is your ultimate fall checklist.
Get ready for winter with these 10 tips.
Turn off outside water (from inside your home). Read more about when and how to turn off outside water.
Disconnecting your hose from your house bib prevents water from returning to the water line.
Consider upgrading to frost-free hose bibs, designed to prevent freezing and bursting — even when someone forgets to shut off the outdoor water.
Garages, basements, and crawl spaces are notorious for having colder temperatures and uninsulated spots where pipes can freeze. Pipe insulation and pipe sleeves are easy ways to protect your pipes.
Schedule a furnace inspection every year if your furnace is 10+ years old, and every 2 years if your furnace is newer. Most often, furnaces stop working after the extra stress of extremely cold temperatures. In most situations, furnace issues can be spotted before the furnace gives out.
Once you have identified the lever, close it until the frosty weather is gone.
A clean furnace improves airflow. A dirty furnace has to work harder and adds more stress to the motor and blower. Dust is an enemy to electronics and can play havoc on the motherboard inside your furnace.
Both can help maintain your furnace and keep your house cleaner. (We recommend a cleaning every other year, but in larger households or with pets, every year might be required.)
We can provide furnace cleaning, but duct cleaning is a different service, one we do not provide.
Humidifier adjustments and maintenance are often overlooked, but if you have a natural gas forced air furnace (which most are in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton), the air will dry out as it is heated. In summer months, lower humidity levels can reduce the heat in your home. In the winter, higher humidity can help heat the air.
This is a great time of year to test your detectors and replace batteries if needed.
Shorter days mean darker, longer evenings. Make sure your walkways and entrance ways are well-lit.
Consider adding permanent Christmas lights to your home. These can be used to enhance the curb appeal of your home, but the extra lighting can also increase the safety and security of your home.
Leaves and debris can trap water, creating ice dams and water damage when it freezes. Eaves need to be directed away from the house to prevent water pooling in the water table below the house.
If your home has a history of basement flooding when it rains or during a Chinook or snowmelt, consider having a sump pump installed to protect your home from flooding. (Repairs in the eaves troughs can be the first line of defence against flooding.)
If you need help getting your home ready for winter, please call us. We provide a complimentary home inspection with every visit, and we can provide free advice to help you prepare your home for winter.
“My frost proof faucet was leaking so I called Gentlemen Plumbers. I was given an appointment in 2 days. Riley arrived and set about fixing the problem. When that was done, he offered the company’s complimentary annual check plumbing checkup. He noted a few issues that needed repair or could potentially need repair in the future. I opted to have the tub spout replaced to make the shower more efficient. Riley completed this. Riley is very friendly and personable. It was great to have such a knowledgeable, communicative and pleasant person do the repairs needed.” Judy L ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
