Tag: winterize your home

Prep Your Yard for Winter

Prepping your yard for the winter is encouraged regardless of your kind of climate. In the fall, it’s known that the lawn responds better to treatments. Grass typically grows more robust thanks to nutrients being fed and stored in the winter. Think of this like hibernation. When the woodland creatures stock up on food, it’s to help them last through the colder season as it becomes more challenging for them to survive. These tactics are going to help you better take care of your lawn.

Pack Up Last Summer

Worse than seeing those back-to-school commercials is putting away patio furniture. Saying goodbye to summer is always a hard thing to do, but packing it up can maximize safety protocols. Outdoor furniture, regardless of it being able to handle environmental conditions, should be washed down and tucked away in a garage, shed, or any kind of storage unit. Lawn chairs and tables can rust over time; putting them away pushes back buying a new set and saving you more money for the following summer break. 

Winterize

Fall fertilizing, also known as winterizing, is necessary to help your garden and yard work maintain their beauty throughout the wintertime. Almost like packing leftovers in the freezer, winterizing helps the grass remain fresh and vibrant when spring comes and melts away the snow. Use the appropriate fall fertilizer to avoid any new growth damage in the grass depending on your typical climate weather and the time mark for when seasons change.  

Pave The Way

Get it done! Repair pavements such as the driveway, walkway, and that crack in the front step you’ve meant to take care of all year. When the snow starts to fall, any damage that is not catered to can worsen over time. Unsafe conditions can lead to damage repairs, which means more money on home maintenance.

Trimming

Trimming your branches is highly advised before winter reaches. The icy snow can be hefty on the brittle branches, causing them to snap at any moment. They also carry very sharp icicles, which can be dangerous when loved ones play in the backyard creating snow angels. Best to cut them down now before any unlikely harm comes knocking at your door.

Protect The Plant Babies

Preparing your yard for the winter might seem like a chore. If you are someone who cares deeply for their garden and array of plants, you won’t be so happy when those critters come nibbling on them for a snack. Tree guards or other forms of plant screenings could help best when up against nature’s animals. But in the long run, when the ice and snow start melting away, left behind is the same untouched, beautiful, plush grass you’ve maintained the rest of the three seasons.

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Prepare Pipes for Winter

Whether we admit it or not, winter is coming, and it won’t be long before the first frost!

So what does that mean for your home? 

Winterize. 

Winterizing plumbing pipes is a process that prevents cracks and leaks by preparing pipes for freezing temperatures. Freezing temperatures tend to cause excess water within the pipes to freeze and expand, often causing damage.

Preparing for Winterization

Winterizing is most commonly recommended when a home is left vacant for an extended period of time, with no water running through pipes. This process ensures you don’t have any structural damage done to your plumbing system. 

The process entails emptying the water heater, draining all water from the pipes, and filling all fixtures with an antifreeze solution. Here are seven simple steps to winterizing:

  1. Shut off the main water valve, then turn off the water pump and water heater.
  2. Open all drain valves and taps.
  3. Blow excess water out of the pipes using an air compressor.
  4. Open the drain in your hot water tank and let it discharge until empty.
  5. Drain all the water left in the holding tanks, especially the one used along with the tank to build pressure. 
  6. Flush toilets to remove as much water as you can from the tanks and the toilet bowls.
  7. Check all sinks and tub drains that could have drain traps, and add antifreeze to prevent water from freezing and cracking within the traps.

How to Prevent Freezing Pipes 

It is important to know about your home, inside and out. Before winter each year, check for poorly insulated areas and pipes located on exterior walls or by windows. It is also recommended to inspect your home for any cracks or holes in any exterior walls, floors, and ceilings. If any blemishes are found, simply caulk them to keep the cold air from entering. The key is to control indoor environments by keeping your home secure and adequately insulated. 

Here are some extra tips to prevent frozen pipes:

  • Insulate pipes with insulation sleeves, using slip-on foam pipe insulation.
  • Inspect the exterior of the property to ensure all visible cracks are sealed. 
  • Maintain a heating source inside the home to protect pipes from cold.
  • Maintain a slow faucet drip, allowing the water to flow freely and continuously. 
  • Drain outdoor hose bibs and insulate them with covers.
  • Heat tape can also be used to winterize plumbing. 

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