Winter weather has finally arrived in many parts of the country. If it hasn't hit you yet, it is on its way! Now is the time to make a final pass around the exterior of your property to make sure your home will be safe and accessible all winter. According to Houzz.com, there are five things that should be on your to-do list when preparing your outdoor space for winter.
1. Walks, Patios and Driveways
Cracks, loose pavers and missing mortar are not a huge problem in the summer. But when winter comes and they are covered with snow, it isn't easy to see these hazards when walking. Any crack or hole where water can pool and freeze in your hardscaping is going to become bigger when water, which expands when it freezes, settles in for a cold night. Reset loose pavers and fill in holes now so your small problems don't become larger when the weather changes.
2. Garages and Sheds
If you have a garage or shed where you store tools and supplies, a couple of housekeeping tasks are in order. Make sure you are stocked with winter necessities — shovel, snowblower, rock salt — and arrange those items so they are easily accessible. Look for liquids stored in the garage that will be harmed by freezing temperatures, such a latex paint, and move them indoors. Turn off the water supply to exterior hose bibs and open the spigot outside in case there is water left in the pipe. Detach hoses from the spigot, then coil and store them in the shed/garage.
3. Hand Tools
The most important tip for tool maintenance is to clean any dirt off the metal parts. Store tools somewhere dry, and they’ll be ready to go when the ground thaws.
4. Decks
Even if you swept your deck at the end of fall, there will probably still be built-up organic material between the boards. This can lead to rotting of the boards and the structural framing. Clean the stuff out with a stiff bristle broom or a pressure washer. Check your outdoor lighting, too. Replace bulbs as needed.
5. Bird Baths and Other Water Features
Any birdbath, bucket, kiddie pool or chiminea that collects water can be damaged when that water freezes, so turn items over or cover them up.
Have you thought about selling your home this season but decided to put it off until the spring? Winter is actually a great time to sell! Email us at concierge@lizmoore.com, or click below, and we can prepare a complimentary analysis of market value for you – you just may be pleasantly surprised.
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