Winter's arrival brings with it a lot of fun and good things like the Holiday Season and fun with friends and family, but it also brings a lot of preparation and hard work if you're a homeowner. Each year, millions of families lose out on thousands of dollars because they didn't winterize their home properly. Forgetting simple things like having your sprinklers blown out or not wrapping exposed pipes can cost you. Don’t get caught flat-footed this winter! Here are some tips for winterizing your home and garden this year. 

Winterizing The House

There is a lot to do when it comes to winterizing your home, but you will be so glad once it’s done. Here is a quick list of things you can do to help winterize your home this year.

• Clean out your dryer vent to ensure no blockages or buildup
• Clean and clear off all vents that lead outside to ensure proper ventilation and HVAC function
• Seal any cracks in windows, doors, or walls. If there is any outside air getting in directly, then you should plug it up thoroughly
• Insulate any water pipes that are exposed in your crawlspace, attic, or outside your home. Check for any small leaks or cracks while you’re at it
• Inspect and clean out your gutters to help prevent ice dams and clogs
• Have your local HVAC tech inspect your heating system before booting it up for the winter
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries 
• Install energy efficient and insulating window coverings like we have for sale

Winterizing Your Lawn/Garden

We like to think of summer as the main lawn and garden season, but the fall can be the most important time of the year for them both. Setting up your lawn and garden for success can help to ensure your home continues to look nice and to help ensure that you are not overwhelmed with insects, mold, and other unpleasantries when spring comes.

• Drain garden hoses and put them away in a safe place for the winter
• Clean up debris in and around your garden, especially in the plant beds to help reduce rodent and insect buildup 
• Mulch garden beds to help lock in nutrients for next year
• Clean up garden tools and store them for the winter
• Cover your perennials to help them survive until spring
• Mow your lawn one last time, and bag the clippings
• Aerate your lawn to help improve overall water absorption and improve nutrient capacity and distribution
• Fertilize your lawn with a special end of season fertilizer that will help replenish and lock in nutrients for next year
• Rake leaves, especially before snow starts to help ensure that your grass doesn’t get smothered and pests don’t invade and make those warm leaf piles their winter home

Conclusion

We hope that this article about winterizing your home and garden was useful to you. If you want to make a purchase, schedule one of our window covering experts for a FREE estimate and more information by calling the office at 208-888-1056. If you have any questions about purchasing some awesome exterior solar shades or commercial blind or window covering work, or any other window covering related issue, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today to get started.