Much of North America's suburban population is facing the early days of winter, and it is time to think about the care and storage of home hardscaping, equipment and outdoor furniture. Driveways, patios, decks and sidewalks provide a significant portion of a residence's "curb appeal"; not to mention that they represent a financial investment that is not insubstantial.
Getting your hard surfaces and outdoor equipment ready for winter is not terribly difficult or time-consuming, if you prepare a list and spend your time efficiently.
Checklist for Winter Maintenance Chores
- Check lawn or gardening equipment for repairs, cleaning, oiling, and draining. Cover or store in a safe indoor area such as a detached shed, garage, or carport. A tarp with grommets can be secured with heavy-duty bungee cords. Make sure electrical cords are wound and stored indoors.
- Clean the barbecue, and if it's portable, bring it inside until spring; if it is a fixed appliance, cover it securely.
- Check under decks and porches for wood rot and animal nests. Turn over any containers or pots to prevent collected water from freezing and cracking the container.
- Sweep, rake and brush leaves and twigs from patio and sidewalk surfaces; use a leaf blower if the driveway also needs clearing. Mow the last leaves with a mulching attachment on the grass areas and leave for feeding lawn and around rose bushes.
- If one's deck or porch is built of wood like cedar or pressure-treated lumber, it should stand up to the elements; applying a clear sealant or heavy-duty epoxy paint will further protect the wood. Be careful to protect your eyes, hands and clothing from these toxic products.
- Seal cracks in asphalt or concrete driveways, and fill smaller potholes or sinkholes with fine gravel; note where you will need to repair these in the spring. These depressions in surfaces will fill with water, ice over, and expand or chip with each pass-over of your automobile through the winter. It's just like the city's streets – and it's harder to repair them in the middle of winter.
- Put away or cover patio or deck furniture. Plastic and folding furniture can be easily stored in overhead rafters or hung on pegs in the garage, or stored in basements. Make sure these are clean and dry before storing. Metal furniture may rust if put away damp.
- For heavier furniture that's not easily moved, furniture covers are the preferred solution. Make sure to check the hardware (bolts, screws) for rust, and clean wood surfaces with mild soap and water before covering with heavy-duty canvas or plastic. Also be sure there are no cobwebs or insect remains in the underside cavities. These are favorite mouse habitats, so secure the bottom edges of covers as well. Take care that legs and feet of furniture are not left exposed; moisture will destroy wood furniture from the ground up.
- Test an emergency generator and have enough fuel on hand for those big storms that are no doubt ahead of you!
If you have outdoor spas, hot tubs or pools, follow the installer's or manufacturer's instructions for proper winter care and maintenance. If your hot tub is indoors, be sure to winterize the location, particularly making sure that ventilation is adequate, heaters are safe, and passageways are not near outside entrances.
Doing these tasks over a few weekends in the next several weeks will get the job finished without leaving you exhausted. More importantly, next spring you will be thankful that opening your outdoor spaces for another season has been made so much easier.
Sources:
- Ezinearticles.com Protecting and Using Outdoor Furniture in the Winter Months
- blog.oregonlive.com/homesandgardens/2007/10. "Winterizing the deck and patio"
- www.Deckandpatiocare.com
- DIYnetwork.com Home Maintenance
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