Although it felt like it was never going to truly get cool, all of a sudden, the temperatures have fallen, and we are in a situation wherein the chilliness feels colder than it ever has in old days. Winds, rainfall, sleet, and yes, snow, are all on their way, so you have to make certain that you are prepared for their wraths. Have you carried out everything that you are required to do before the season starts to get as ferocious as it can?
If you haven’t begun getting ready yet, now is the most ideal time to begin. Take some time to work off some of that Thanksgiving turkey and potatoes and go out into your property to really see what could easily take place if you don’t think toward the near future.
Not very sure where to start? Here are four ways to prepare for the season:
4. Make Sure Your Equipment is Available
- – Try to keep everything in close proximity to your home
- – Always have a strong shovel
- – Have additional salt at the ready
One of the leading miscalculations people make when they are trying to get prepared for the winter weather season is that they get many things all set and then they don’t have it around when the snow actually hits. Will you need to find a shovel at some point? Without a doubt. But how can you get it if we receive 24″ of snowfall and the shovel is in your storage shed? See to it that your equipment is available and near your home at all times. Try putting it in your garage or on your deck. The CDC has a list of items that you need to be prepared for violent storms.
Scrutinize all of the required gear, like shovels, ice scrapers, snow blowers, gloves, hats, chains, and anything else you may need to make yourself secure in the snow. Ensure they will do their work effectively and without risk. It also isn’t a poor thought to have a couple of alternates– just in case something goes wrong OR just in case you have a few assistants.
3. Guard Yourself Against the Cold Weather Outside
- Get and add storm window overlaying
- Use plastic on the inside
- Caulk any open areas
One of the most pragmatic and straightforward tasks you can do to prep yourself and your family for this coming time is to keep the cold from coming into your home. To do this, take a few cautionary steps that the American Red Cross proposes.
The initial to walk around your home from the exterior and the interior and see where cold air may seep into your home. Prevalent guilty parties are windows and doors, although there can be cracks anywhere else. This will keep your home drier and your electricity rates low, as well as avoid some of the threats that you might get a couple of headaches boarding in your home over the winter.
Another great possibility, particularly for those who stay near the water, is to get storm windows. These will not only safeguard your house from the cold weather and wind but can also help them stay safe if junk starts to fly during a very savage snowstorm. If ordering storm covers is too expensive, consider lining the insides of your windows with plastic for some supplemented protection.
2. Winterize All Buildings
- Don’t forget swimming pools, ponds, and outdoor patios
- Take care to winterize landscaping and grass
- Never pass over your garage
Many people think that they exclusively need to winterize their houses because that is the only place they will really be throughout the storm, but that isn’t the situation. According to Weather Underground, many people ignore to winterize some factors on their properties, and that actually costs more money than the devastation to your home would.
Winterize your pools, arbors, porches, and patios by removing anything that could blow away in a storm. Remember that ice and snow are much heavier than rain, so you want to clear away anything where snow can gather, like awnings or coverings. Anything that already has sitting water (like a water feature, birdbath, or bucket) will likely harden in the cold, so you have to account for expansion as well.
Most importantly, be sure to winterize your garage. While it is unusual, if you do ever have to get out of your residence because of the snow, you want a safe way to get to your car.
1. Check out Your Trees
- Look for any hanging limbs
- Make certain that they can obtain water and nutrition
- Have dangerous branches eliminated
One of the most important challenges you may deal with in the course of the winter season months is tree care. Trees have a tendency to slow down a little in the winter weather, but they are still living and need to be able to get nutrition and water. Ascertain that the ground is helping them to get what they need– especially once everything begins to harden up and become dense. You also want to make sure that going into this time, your trees are vibrant and have a good chance of survival if they do have to go for a bit with no water or food.
At last, always consult with a professional tree service if you see any branches that could pose a dilemma to your property, automobiles, swimming pool, structures on your property, power lines, or the street if we do get a substantial ice storm or snow storm. These kinds of storms can weigh down trees and make it so that you have an emergency of your own in the middle of a weather-related crisis. Per the US Government, make sure that you have the phone number of a nearby tree care company in case you do have a predicament.
If you are in need of a go-to tree service contractor in the Peterborough area, contact Van Till Tree Care today. We are a highly trained team of skilled professionals that take tree maintenance, specifically tree care in the winter months, quite seriously. Your trees and your safety and security mean a lot to us, so we want to do whatever we can to make you feel more secure this winter season.
Give us a call today at (800) 554-3834and we can come to your residence to conduct any maintenance required before the season gets too bad or, in the event of an emergency, we can really help you to clear up the problem as quickly as possible.
