Even though we’ve had it pretty so far this fall, old man winter is coming. And it’s almost time to close up the cottage and say “goodbye” until next spring. Check these 10 steps off your list to prepare to leave your home-away-from-home for the season: Inspect your septic tank. If your cottage has a septic tank, be careful to follow the manufacturer’s guide book. If your system is due for an inspection, call in a professional to make sure it’s functioning properly before you close up to avoid any problems in the spring. Keep the sump pump, pumping. If your cottage has a sump pump, make sure it stays in good working order all winter long, or you could experience flooding when the snow starts to melt. Drain your pipes, turn off your water supply and drain your pipes. Drain all water containers to prevent them from freezing or bursting. Clean your gutters. Clogged up gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles, leading to a leaky roof. Clean out your gutters so ra...

The storm has passed, but its dangers haven't. Here's how to keep your home, your property and even your neighbors safe and sound after a blizzard. In addition to beauty, quiet, and days off from school, a heavy snowstorm brings a range of hazards to homes and property, some of which can cause expensive damage or endanger your family. These five steps will help you keep your home and your family safe. 1. Lighten the load on the roof Head outside and walk the perimeter of your house, looking at the roof line. Are your gutters and eaves decked in icicles? Your roof may be forming an ice dam, where ice freezes into hard ridges that prevent snow melt from draining off your roof. Without anywhere to go, water will find its way into your home. Extreme snowstorms can also stress the roof through the weight of the snow. This is especially true as old snow compacts under fresh snow in subsequent storms.  If you live in a single-story home, you can help prevent ice dams and re...

You may be tempted to forego a home inspection if you’re buying in a competitive market, especially when multiple offers are a possibility. But before you make a decision on whether to include a home inspection in your contractual offer, be aware that different seasons and weather conditions tell different stories about a home’s condition. While some shortcomings of a home will not be as evident under snow coverage, winter also presents an opportunity to see other things that snow can teach us about the condition of a house. For example, a snow-covered roof may hide the overall state of the shingles and underlay, while large spotty patches of melted snow on a roof and dripping icicles are indicators of insulation deficiency. Likewise, snow piled on the outside of a home can show tell-tale signs about the inside of a home, revealing foundation cracks and basement leakage problems. Every season teaches us something about the condition of a home, but cold weather and snow may prevent a ...

If you're concerned about your house then call Inspect it All  to do a Maintenance Inspection! Plumbing System Water damage caused by bursting pipes during cold weather can be devastating. A ruptured pipe will release water and not stop until someone shuts off the water. If no one is home to do this, an enormous quantity of water can flood a house and cause thousands of dollars' worth of damage. Even during very small ruptures or ruptures that are stopped quickly, water leakage can result in mold and property damage. Broken water pipes can be costly to repair. All exposed water pipes in cold areas, such as attics, garages, and crawlspaces, should be insulated. Foam or fiberglass insulation can be purchased at most hardware stores. Insulation should cover the entirety of a pipe.   Plastic is more tolerant of cold expansion than copper or steel. Houses in colder climates might benefit from the exclusive use of approved plastic plumbing.  Water supply for exteri...