After working throughout the summer to keep your outdoor spaces in tip top shape it can be disheartening to know the effect winter will have on them. Instead of allowing cold weather to wreak havoc on all of your hard work, take the time to winterize and prepare for cold weather.
There are a variety of things to winterize, including your driveway, sidewalks, garden beds, deck and patio but a single weekend is all you need to properly prepare them and save you time and money in the long run.
Driveway & Sidewalks
Many people don’t consider the need for winterizing their driveway and sidewalks but ice, snow, and salt can take quite a toll on asphalt and concrete throughout the colder seasons.
Your biggest focus for winterizing, should be repairing any cracks, gaps or potholes. The longer they go unattended the more damage that will need to be repaired, so get ahead of it now before the cold weather and ice creates costlier repairs.
Begin this process by pulling any weeds and grass that have grown through the cracks. You will then want to clean the cracks with an air compressor or stiff brush. This will allow for you to directly apply concrete caulk on the smaller cracks and sealer for larger gaps.
You can then clean the entire surface with a pressure washer. This should be done thoroughly to remove all debris and should be done when the weather is above 40 degrees to prevent freezing. Then you can seal the surface to prevent any damage throughout the winter months.
Garden beds
For your garden beds you have two options. You can clean your garden by removing old stalks and leaves but this must be followed up with laying down fresh mulch. If you decide not to purchase fresh mulch, then keep the leaves piled on top of your garden beds to protect the roots of your plants from winter weather.
You can care for your trees, plants, and shrubs by watering them generously while it is still warm out, mulching their roots, and protecting them from wind and snow with shrub covers and chicken wire.
Deck & Patios
To protect your deck for the winter you will want to start by making sure it has a good seal. A good way to check for this is by pouring water on the boards, if it soaks in instead of puddling on top then it is no longer repelling water and needs to be resealed.
To do so, begin by checking for loose nails and screws and replacing them with fasteners where needed. You can then power wash the deck, you will want to do this on a day that is at least 40 degrees to ensure the water doesn’t freeze or frost onto the deck while drying.
Next, inspect the wood for any cracks or areas that are splintering to fill them in with epoxy wood filler. You can add a particular color of stain first but be sure to finish with water-repelling stain to keep your wood safe from ice and snow.
It also important to be mindful of winterizing everything on your deck. Clean and move all of your outdoor furniture to indoor storage, especially cushions and pillows, or use covers to keep them in good shape for the next spring. Empty any flowers pots and store them to prevent them from freezing and cracking.
Come to Wildcat Rental to answer any of your questions on how to best go about winterizing your outdoor areas. We have all the tools you need to complete whatever home improvement project you choose.
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