As we look forward to Spring, the heavy snowfall that has accumulated this winter presents an additional obstacle for homeowners before we can enjoy the warmer temperatures. We’ve rounded up a checklist of five important ways to help minimize the potential for claims as we near the end of winter.

• Clear Snow from Around Vents and Foundation

Ensuring that snow is cleared away from vents around your home will allow for proper air flow for appliances and to make sure that carbon monoxide does not build up.  As a bonus, when snow is cleared from the foundation of a home, especially around basement windows and doorways, the likelihood of flooding when the snow begins to melt is greatly reduced.

• Keep Alarms Up to Date and Change Furnace Filters

Spring is a great time to make sure that all your annual maintenance is taken care of. Checking to ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are up to date and batteries are changed will bring peace of mind and switching out the furnace filter at the same time keeps everything up to date and your air clean.  As a bonus – also take the opportunity to ensure that any other filters (e.g. dryers) are also cleaned and clear of buildup.

• Keep Snowbanks as Tidy as Possible

With the large amount of snow that we’ve received this winter, it may be hard to keep those snowbanks neat and compact, but making sure that they don’t get too high by dispersing some snow across your property can improve safety conditions. Keeping snowbanks lower helps with visibility and safety for both drivers and pedestrians.

• Clear your Roof and Gutters

Built up snow can cause issues on roofs both with ice damming during freeze and thaw periods, and with the weight of the snow as it builds up. Consider calling professional snow removal or roofing companies to see if they offer services for removing ice and snow from roofs during the winter months to help eliminate the risk of leaks or other structure-related claims.

• Remove snow and ice from driveways, walk-ways, and sidewalks as soon possible.

This is essential to help prevent accidents and injuries. Property owners are often liable for injuries that occur on their property due to slippery conditions caused by snow and ice. Failure to clear snow promptly can lead to legal responsibility if someone slips and gets hurt. It may also lead to fines and bylaw complaints from the city if sidewalk clearing requirements are not met.

Local city requirements can be found at the following links:

• Snow removal – City of Kitchener
• Snow removal – City of Waterloo
• Winter Maintenance and Snowplowing – City of Cambridge