johnb10

[johnb10]

Preparing your Home for Canadian Winters

Winter is approaching. Have you prepared your home for winter in Canada? If you are planning to go on vacation to escape winter, then as a homeowner, you must not neglect the winterization of your property. It will help you avoid any damages due to snow and extreme weather but also let you cut on energy bills.

Moreover, being away from your home for weeks or months can leave your property susceptible to burglary and damage. So, take all the required precautions by hiring the services of a reputed Canada home protection service firm HomeWatchCanada.Ca.

Wondering how and when to begin the process? The rule is to get started in early fall so that you have sufficient time. The best part is to hire the services of a professional home watch service company in Canada in advance. By doing so, you can prioritize their availability and make your home winter ready.

Tips to winterize your house to enjoy your escape to a sunny gateway--

Clean the gutters—Dirt, leaves, and sticks can accumulate in downspouts during the autumn. So, if the debris gets clogged, it can prevent melting snow or rain from getting drained properly. This can damage your roof. While cleaning your gutters, don’t forget to check the roof for any damaged or missing shingles.

Drain your hoses—Garden hoses need to be cleared of any water. Turn off the water supply to all exterior faucets after removing the garden hoses from the faucets. Otherwise, water may freeze leading to damage to the pipes. It is good to use an anti-freeze non-toxic in toilets and plumbing traps to avoid freezing and cracking.

Insulate pipes and plumbing— Pipes in attics, and basements are more likely to get frozen as they are in unheated places. Use insulating sleeves to wrap pipes and plumbing for preventing them from getting frozen. Also, don’t turn off the furnace during the winters especially if you plan to stay away for a few months. You should set the thermostat at 10°C to avoid the pipes from getting frozen and bursting.

Check the Attic and Roof—Inspect the roof to see if any repairs are needed. It will prevent leakage from any loose shingles during rain and snow. Check the attic and see if it needs to be replaced or have insulation for keeping drafts away.

Service the Heating system—Ask a professional for getting your furnace checked. Remember to get the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors replaced if you haven’t changed them recently.

Shut down your sprinkler system—Drain and shut the irrigation or sprinkler system in your yard. Otherwise, hoses and pipes can crack due to any water left undrained in the system.

Weatherproof doors and windows—To prevent any drafts and leakage in your home, remember to seal off the exteriors of windows. You can also use window film for preventing cold air from sweeping inside. Use caulking for sealing gaps around windows and cracks in the doors. This will save your home from extensive damage.

To conclude, you can make your home ready for Canadian winters by having a winter home maintenance checklist ready and executing the tasks well in advance. Of course, you can always hire the services of HomeWatchCanada.Ca , a professional home check service for keeping your vacant home safe and protected.

Home Watch safety is the main aim of any professional and reputed company like Home Watch Canada. Moreover, before you depart to a sunnier destination, remember to book HomeWatchCanada.Ca, a reliable company offering Vancouver home watch services. This is especially needed because your insurance provider might not give any coverage for damages if there is no one to check your home regularly.

[johnb10]

Questions to ask Before Hiring a Professional Home Watch Service Provider

Hiring a house watch company will ensure your property is safe while you are having a great time holidaying at your second home. But on what basis can you rely on any home watch service provider? To make the right decision when hiring a home watch service for your Canada home, take the time to get answers to these top questions--

Is the home watch business registered? —Before choosing a particular home check service provider, make sure it is a registered company with employees with criminal background check. It means they have full knowledge of the regulations and rules to follow. Only a registered home protection service company like HomeWatchCanada.Ca can let you enjoy peace of mind by undertaking the responsibility of your home in your absence. They should be fully equipped and well-trained to execute their duties efficiently. 

Is your Vancouver home watch services provider insured? –Another query to ask the residential home protection service provider whether their business is insured? After all, your home is your biggest asset. A professional vacation home protection firm shall be a properly registered company (i.e. county and city registered and insured).

What services are included in ‘home watch’? —Home watch is a relatively broad term. You should know what comes under their home watch services. Many times, companies don’t cover everything in home safety services. Important services like plumbing, cooling, heating checkups, security checks, mold inspection, checking vehicles, pool and landscape maintenance, water and weather damage repairs, electrical system checks, and inspection of insects are included under the home watch services package.

Have you checked with your Home Insurance Company? -- They may require your vacant home to be checked by a professional if you are away for extended periods of time. Same could be true if you are in a Strata. Insurance rates are increasing as are the deductibles.

How much does the home check service cost? —You should have full knowledge of the costs of the home watch service company. Ask about the detailed charges per-visit and any extra charges for additional services required. It will save you from last-minute bill surprises. Can you make payment by bank transfer, cheque, credit, or debit? Having transparency about the payment criteria and cost packages is a priority.

What is their availability? —No doubt, a reputed home watch company will be busy especially if they are working in a specific region. But in case of any emergency at your home, they must be flexible to fulfill their duties for home watch safety.

What type of natural disaster services are offered? –Natural disasters like hurricanes, storms, and tornados are common in Canada. Hence, a company that provides storm protection checklist is a good fit to keep your primary and secondary home protected. Only then can you make your business trip or vacation enjoyable.

What is their experience in the industry? —When picking a professional home service provider, it is mandatory to consider their experience in their industry. For how long they have been in the home watch services, and what is their knowledge and skills-set to undertake home watch services are some basic things for you to enquire.

Do they offer any guarantees? —To ensure customer satisfaction and their commitment to quality, choose a reputable home watch company. Ask clearly about the terms HomeWatchCanada.ca has to offer.

The bottom line—When hiring the services of a home watch Provider, there has to be an element of faith and trust because you will not be present there to see when and how often the service provider is performing the services agreed upon by them. That’s why you must do your homework before selecting any company. A written agreement that clearly shows the duties covered, total costs, additional costs for extra services, and frequency/duration of visits is a must.

If you want a comprehensive home watch service provider for your home protection, contact HomeWatchCanada.Ca today.

[johnb10]

Home Watch Services Canada

Benefits of a Home Watch Service Company

Do you stay in multiple homes at different times of the year? Do you feel worried about your vacant home? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then you need to read this article to know how to vanish your worries and have full enjoyment. How? Let us know the answer here and now—

Having a reliable neighbor or security cameras is always good. But if you think that you don’t need a professional home watch service company, then you need to think twice. That’s because you don’t have any idea about what is happening inside your home. Does your water heater or refrigerator require repair? Is your air conditioner working properly? For answers to these important questions, you need the services of Vancouver home watch services because they can document and provide date stamp photos of each visit for insurance validation if anything goes wrong.

Top reasons for using home watch services---

Burglary—One of the biggest reasons homeowners hire home watch service company is for safety and security. When your house is unoccupied, the chances of intruders barging inside are high. This means your vacant home becomes vulnerable to vandalism, theft, or burglary. But with weekly or periodical visits (check with your home insurance company or your strata regulations) by a trustworthy  company like HomeWatchCanada.Ca engaged in home watch safety services at different times can make your home appear as lived-in. That’s why residential home protection services can considerably reduce the chances of such untoward incidents in your house.

Failed appliances and faults in electrical systems—Can you imagine leaving your home unattended for a couple of weeks or months? You never know when the air conditioner may become faulty leading to smell or damage in your home. Power surges or strong thunderstorms can result in failed appliances. It can cause damages to your home including the collapse of the home security system (due to internet disconnection or broken modem), flooding in your basement, or a broken pool pump caused by overheating. Having a watchful eye from a professional company offering home watch services can make a difference.

Pest invasion, mold, and mildew—Animals and rodents like mice, rats, or even raccoons can invade your home in your absence. Insects like bees, ants, and termites can occupy the exterior or interiors of your home. Termites can damage not just wood but also your filtration system, insulation, books, etc. Mold, mildew, and other odors are common in a home that is closed up. But weekly interior and exterior check service by professionals of HomeWatchCanada.Ca can keep your home safe. Services offered during the weekly visits include detailed monitoring of the HVAC system for protection against mold, the opening of doors and windows (for proper ventilation), and supervising all appliances to keep your house ‘lived in’.

Owning multiple properties requires proper maintenance to prevent unexpected issues. Hence, it becomes important to get professional home watch services for keeping a close eye on your residential property. By hiring a company offering Canada home protection service, you can have peace of mind about the safety of your primary and secondary home while you are away. Moreover, you can make your next visit an enjoyable experience with your home in perfect condition to welcome you.

Do you have a vacation home or second home in Vancouver or Canada or Abroad? We, at HomeWatchCanada.Ca, have the experts to provide regular maintenance to your home. Hand over your worries to us and let our team of reliable and dedicated professionals keep your vacation home up to date for your upcoming visit. Contact home watch specialists today to stay assured that your home is in safe hands.