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Winterizing Your Home

May 06, 2014

It's that time of the year again!

Latest fashions in warm clothing have begun to overwhelm shopping malls, prompting us to prepare for the upcoming winter. Regardless of your location, you are bound to experience this seasonal change unless you live in Hawaii of course. As you begin replacing t-shirts with wool sweaters, you should also start thinking of hot ideas to help your home dress warm this winter.

Here are ten great tips to help you out:

1. Furnace Inspection

  • Get an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts
  • Stock up on, and change furnace filters monthly
  • Consider using a programmable thermostat
  • If your home uses a hot-water heater, open the valves slightly and close them when water appears
  • Remove all flammable material around your furnace

2. ​​​​​​​ Get the Fireplace Ready

  • Cover the chimney top to block out rodents and birds
  • Ensure that the chimney is clean and free of soot and creosote
  • Store firewood in a dry place, away from the exterior of your home
  • Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing
  • Check the mortar between bricks and tuck point

3. Check the Exterior, Doors, and Windows

  • Seal any crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes
  • Caulk windows and weather-strip doors to keep the cold air out
  • Replace any cracked glass in your windows; if you choose to replace the entire window, be sure to prime and paint all exposed wood
  • Got a basement? Protect its window walls by covering them with plastic shields
  • Install storm windows or switch out summer screen with glass replacements from storage

4. Inspect Roofs, Gutters, and Downspouts

  • If your weather temperature will fall below 32 degrees in the winter, add extra insulation to prevent warm air from creeping to your roof and causing ice dams
  • Inspect flashing to ensure water can't enter the home
  • Replace worn roof shingles or tiles
  • Clean out gutters and downspouts using a water hose, to remove debris
  • Consider installing leaf guard on gutters or extensions on downspouts to direct water away from your home

5. Service Weather-Specific equipment

  • Drain gas from lawnmowers
  • Service or tune-up snow blowers
  • Replace any eroded rakes or snow shovels
  • Clean and pack away all summer gardening equipment in a dry place
  • Sharpen ice choppers and buy bags of ice-melt/sand

6. Check Foundations

  • Rake away all debris and edible vegetation from the foundation
  • Prevent small animals from crawling under the house by sealing up entry points and foundation cracks
  • Inspect sill plates for dry rot or pest infestation
  • Secure crawlspace entrances

7. Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

  • Store extra smoke detector batteries and change them when daylight savings ends
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector near your furnace and/or water heater
  • Test both detectors to make sure they work
  • If your fire extinguisher is older than 10 years, replace it

8. Prevent Plumbing Freezes

  • Locate your water main in case you need to shut it off in an emergency
  • Drain all garden hoses
  • Insulate exposed plumbing pipes
  • Drain air conditioner pipes and turn off your AC if it has a water shut-off valve
  • Going on vacation? Leave the heat on, set to at least 55 degrees

9. Prepare Landscaping and Outdoor Surfaces

  • Trim trees if branches hang too close to the house or to electrical wires
  • Consult a gardener to find out when your trees should be pruned to prevent winter injury
  • Plant spring flower bulbs and lift bulbs, e.g. dahlias, in areas where the ground freezes
  • Seal driveways, brick patios, and wood decks
  • Don't automatically remove dead vegetation from gardens as some provide attractive scenery in an otherwise dreary, snow-drenched yard
  • Move sensitive potted plants indoors or to a sheltered area

10. Prepare an Emergency Kit

  • Buy indoor candles and matches (or lighter) in case of a power outage
  • Store your utility companies' phone numbers in an accessible place, e.g. on the fridge or inside the phone book
  • Keep a battery back-up to protect your computer and sensitive electronic equipment
  • Store extra cases of bottled water and non-perishable food supplies, blankets and a first-aid kit in a dry and accessible location
  • Have an evacuation plan ready, in case of a major emergency!
Western Ontario

935 Keyes Drive
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada N4V 1C3

Phone: 1-800-265-1914

Fax: (519) 539-7946
TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Muskoka, Haliburton, Northern Ontario

1027 Elwell Park Road
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada P1P 1R1

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Central Ontario

29 Ferndale Industrial Drive
Barrie, Ontario
Canada L4N 9V5

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Greater Toronto Area

2 Guided Court
Etobicoke, ON
M9V 4K6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

GTA East

103 North Port Road
Port Perry, Ontario
Canada L9L 1B2

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

South Central Ontario

450 Industrial Dr,
Toronto (Milton), Ontario
Canada L9T 5A6

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Eastern Ontario

1035 Moodie Dr #1,
Nepean, ON
K2R 1H4

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

Niagara Region

25 Lincoln Ave
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 2C7

TOLL FREE: 1-800-265-1914

BBB

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Homestars Best of 2021 Award

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HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2021.

Homestars Best of 2022 Award

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HomeStars has ranked Great Northern Insulation as a company that goes above and beyond in every aspect of business for the year of 2022.

Lowes

GNI is the Authorized & Trusted Insulation and Air Sealing Installer for Lowe’s

Trusted for Over 40 Years

Over 40 Years in Business

At GNI, we service your project with the most experienced staff in the industry. Ongoing professional development is an obsession at GNI and we will not compromise at any level to bring to our customers the very best Installers, Sales Representatives, Customer Care Personnel, Field Superintendents, Estimating and Technical Support to your project.

100% Canadian

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Great Northern Insulation is recognized as Canada's largest full-service insulation contractor. GNI is 100% Canadian owned, proudly serving Ontario customers since 1980.

Foam Masters

Do it right the first time
- with foam mastersTM

January, 2021 regulatory phaseout of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the introduction of WALLTITE CM01. Using hydrofluorolefins (HFOs) with lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to HFCs, WALLTITE CM01 is the next generation of spray foam insulation.

HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Huntsman HEATLOK® SOYA HFO™ 

Heatlok® Soya HFOTM leverages Honeywell’s latest Solstice® Liquid Blowing Agent technology. This new hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) blowing agent is the most environmentally conscious blowing agent produced to date, with a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a global warming potential (GWP) of 1, which is more than two orders of magnitude (99.9%) lower than HFCs used in this industry.

3M

3MTM products.
Quality + Performance = Savings

3MTM energy-saving products are designed to keep warm air in, and cold air out, while keeping energy bills down. Products optimize energy efficiency in buildings and homes; improve indoor environment for occupants; and effect the reduction of seasonal energy costs. 3M products are authorized for LEED credits (Leadership in Energy/Environmental Design).

Holmes and Holmes

Holmes and Holmes

 

Mike Holmes and his son Mike Jr. (MJ) convert MJ’s bachelor bungalow into a two-storey home for MJ and his girlfriend Lisa. Choosing the newest materials and build techniques, the father and son team follow Mike’s famous motto – “Make it right.” The show can be watched on HGTV and DIY Network.

Enbridge

Enbridge Incentives

The Home Efficiency Rebate Plus program offers up to $10,000 in home reno rebates – and Great Northern Insulation can pave the way.

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Great Northern Insulation proudly abides by a renovation-specific Code of Conduct set by RenoMark™.

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As Seen on Love It or List It

The GNI crew have been featured installing insulation on Love It or List It - have you seen our logo in an episode?

Climatizer Cellulose

Climatizer

CLIMATIZER PLUS cellulose insulation is manufactured from a minimum of 85% locally-sourced post-consumer recycled newsprint. Non-toxic additives are applied to the uniquely fiberized paper generating a building material with superior thermal and acoustic properties, as well as exceptional resistance to fire, moisture, mould and pests.

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