The weather is starting to cool off in the ‘Peg, and as the leaves begin to turn and the days cool, it’s getting easier to come to terms with the fact that another Manitoba winter is right around the corner.

Living in a condo or townhome sure has its perks during the cold winter months – such as no shoveling and even underground heated parking – but it’s still important to go over a short list of seasonal check points as we move into the minus 40C temperatures.

Let’s get your condo winter-ready!

1) Checking weather stripping on your windows and doors

Check your condo unit’s windows to ensure all of the weather stripping seals are tight and are not letting in any air or water. If you see any gaps or light coming through it may mean there is air leaking. If this is the case, it may be time to replace the weather stripping on the window before snow falls to keep your heating costs down.

2) Turn off and cover your air conditioning unit

Make sure to turn off your air conditioning unit as soon as it starts to cool down. You can also keep your air conditioning unit in good working order for next summer by placing a cover over it, especially if it’s exposed to the elements.

3) Check your smoke/fire alarm detectors

Fall is the perfect time to test out your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Give them a test run to make sure they’re running properly by pressing the test button. You should be changing the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 months.

4) Bring in or cover your patio furniture on your balcony

Let’s face it, patio furniture can be quite expensive! To prevent your furniture from getting water damage from being covered in snow/rain over the next 5 or 6 months, either find a cover or store your patio furniture in your storage locker until next season.

5) Do a deep clean of your kitchen

The kitchen is one of the areas in your condo that you spend the most time, so cleaning it regularly is probably a given. We would argue that the Fall season is the most important time to do a deep clean to get rid of any old food/grease and reducing the risk of a fire. Some areas to concentrate on are cleaning out your stove and range hood if applicable to prevent smoke.

It’s important to stay on top of seasonal maintenance, even in a condominium or townhome! We hope these tips will help you stay on top of some of your to-do’s before the first snow fall!

For more information on cleaning your condo, check out our Essential Guide to Cleaning a Condo – Click here