Alberta, Canada is especially known for their winters with very cold weather and a long snow season so, it is necessary to be prepared! Winterizing a manufactured home is not that different from a detached house but to simplify the process for you, we have put together a list of things to consider before winter rolls in.
Whether you have purchased your manufactured home yet or not, this checklist is a great tool to keep in mind when purchasing your manufactured home. If you are looking for a manufactured home, Station Grounds has partnered with local manufactured home companies that we can ensure will have what you are looking for in your new home.
Making sure you take the time to winterize your house can help you stay warmer, keep the heating bills low and avoid unnecessary repair costs.
1. Insulation
As the winter weather approaches, it is important to take the time to winterize both the inside and outside of your manufactured home. The first steps in getting the exterior of your manufactured home ready for the winter may be a trip to the local home repair store for some insulation. Whether you purchase spray foam insulation or insulation bales, both options aid in the heating of your home.
You can use spray foam insulation for any cracks and crevices along windows, A/C units, where pipes enter into your home or around any doors. Institution bales can be used to insulate the bottom of your manufactured home.
2. Outdoor Items
Make sure to take a good look at what you have outside of your home – BBQ? Recreation Items? Patio Furniture? Sometimes its not until the first snow fall that we realize the “little things” that kept us entertained all summer long are now going to be ruined by the wet snow.
In your manufactured home, you may not have the space to store these items inside without giving up your livable space. Consider a plastic shed or portable storage unit that can be kept in your yard to store your summer items such as your barbecue, lawn furniture, garden hose* and lawn tools with ease throughout the winter season.
* Make sure that you unhook your garden hose to allow the freeze proof faucets to drain.
3. Water Lines
While you are unhooking your garden hose, this would be a good time to check your water lines. Without properly winterizing your water supply, you are putting yourself at further risk financially and in need of emergency repair to your home. Your water lines should be protected throughout the winter season and installing a heat cable is a possible solution. We suggest that you look into the manufactures instructions as the protocol may differ according to various water risers in your manufactured home.
4. Interior Items
Interior maintenance for winter survival is an ongoing project and a great place to start at the beginning of winter to make sure the furnace filter is cleaned regularly. A furnace filter is easily forgotten so make sure you mark your calendar! Your furnace filter should be changed once a month during the house-heating season. Through the restriction of airflow and increase energy demand, you will see a difference on your bill if you skip this winterizing project.
Get rid of that draft – placing a rolled up towel at the bottom of a drafty door is a great way to save on your energy bill! If it’s a drafty window that has you chilled, consider a window insulation kit at your local hardware store is a quick and dirty solution to that extra air flow.
5. Manufactured Home Proofing
The skirting on your manufactured home should be installed as per the manufactured guidelines, as this is a great way to keep the draft out from underneath your home. Make sure that all access points are closed off prior to the snow fall so there are no animals getting in to cause potential issues to your winterizing efforts.
In the case of serenely cold nights, avoid pouring small amounts of water down the pipes as it may lead to freezing in the sewer lines.
Planning on a getaway? Leave cupboards and closet doors open at night in case of severely cold nights. This allows heat to circulate in areas that may not get proper heating.
6. Emergency Items
With winter storms rolling in, it is important to be prepared for any situation! Having bottled water, canned foods and winter crops stored in your home ensures that you are able to make it through any storm, whenever it comes.
With the sun setting earlier, power outages have more affect on our ability to navigate in an emergency situation. If the lights go out, it is a good idea to store matches, extra batteries, and a flashlight so that you are still able to navigate through your house in an emergency at any time of the day.
Other items to keep in your emergency kit:
- Sleeping bags / pillows
- First Aid Kit
- Battery powered radio
- Non-prescription pain medications
- Glasses / contacts
- Pet food
- Personal Hygiene items
- Paper cups, plates, utensils and paper towels
- Paper, pens
- Games, puzzles and books
STATION GROUNDS | MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITY
Located in the thriving community of Coaldale, AB, Station Grounds offers a quiet, safe, small-town community that’s only minutes away from the bustling heart of Lethbridge, Alberta. Leasing a lot in Station Grounds is a stress-free and low-cost alternative to buying. Worry-free living at its’ finest! Station Grounds has a property manager and an onsite tenant coordinator to respond to any concerns or questions about your manufactured home in any season including the cold Alberta months.
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