Autumn has arrived, or as those with three-season cottages call it: winterization season. From draining the water to filling your pipes with an antifreeze solution, closing your cottage is no simple task. Thankfully, there’s a better option: insulating your water pipes, lines and duct work.

“Early fall is a great time to have your plumbing and ductwork insulated,” says Curtis Hinksman, owner of Soundseals Insulation. Many cottagers are eager to turn their three-season cottages into a year-round getaway. Insulating these areas is an easy and economical way to reduce the risk of water damage from bursting pipes and to increase the efficiency of the heating and cooling system without the price tag of a full cottage renovation.

Insulating your pipes can be easily done with spray foam. To do this, simply have your contractor dig deep enough to expose the lines. Soundseals can then spray them with foam insulation.

Soundseals also recommends having your ductwork examined by an HVAC professional before winter to ensure proper efficiency.

“Not many people think of protecting their uninsulated ductwork but not having it insulated and exposed to cold air results in higher heating bills and your furnace not running efficiently,” says Curtis.

If your ducts are located in a colder area, like an unfinished basement, attic or below the house or cottage, and are not insulated, condensation can easily form, which may cause water damage. Insulating the ducts is the easiest and quickest way to improve efficiency and prevent damage.

Like your lines and ducts, Curtis says now’s not the time to freeze.

“If you want to have your home, cottage, or water lines insulated, don’t wait,” says Curtis. “This is our busiest season. Book ahead to make sure your property is protected.”

Insulation: the green facts

• Insulation is a unique material: the more it is used, the greater the energy benefits it produces. By reducing the need for natural gas, propane, fuel oil, and electricity to heat and cool buildings, insulation benefits the environment by reducing emissions.

• The energy required to produce insulation is far less than the energy saved by insulation.

• A typical North American home insulated to current building code requirements can expect to use half of the electricity and natural gas used by a home with no insulation.

• If all single-family homes in North America had code-level insulation, the emissions reductions from insulation would be equal to removing nearly 70,000 cars from the road.

Stats courtesy of ICF International on behalf of NAIMA Canada
(North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)

TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN

www.SoundSealsInsulation.com