Archive for the ‘Winterizing’ Category

Simple Steps and the Importance of Winterizing the Lawn

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Winterizing. When you start sharing the fascinating Winterizing facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

As the season changes and you start feeling the coming of winter, you should prepare yourself for various winterizing tasks that must be done to make sure that everything will fall back into their right places after this season has passed. Aside from the interiors of your home, you should also place importance at your lawn when preparing everything for the change in season. During the colder months, what do you think will happen at your lawn? It doesn’t stop existing just because you won’t see it as much with snow covering most of the area. It remains to be where it is, but it is up to you how to keep it healthy and ready for the next time that you will utilize it again.

During winter, the lawn doesn’t really die, it only becomes dormant because of the extreme cold. Your task is to prevent certain problems from developing so that the soil can be fully utilized in the spring. Help the soil retain as much nutrients that it can absorb before the winter arrives. While it still hasn’t arrived, you can keep on mowing and watering the grass at the lawn so that it could take in nutrients before it rests in the next season.

Here are some things that can help you prepare the area for the wintry months ahead.

The more authentic information about Winterizing you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Winterizing expert. Read on for even more Winterizing facts that you can share.

1. All debris and fallen leaves should be raked from the lawn. Through this, the sunlight can still penetrate the area while it is still there. This will also help eliminate soils win poor condition and only the healthy kinds will be retained as you help balance its pH content. Through raking, you help lawn become exposed to better aeration. This helps in making the grass appear greener during spring. Raking also prevents viruses from developing that may be caused by the molds that will form when the area is consistently covered with snow.

2. At fall, you must practice applying weed control on the location. Through this, weeds won’t be a problem next year when lawn is ready to be used. By doing this, you are not only eliminating obvious weeds but you are also helping in making sure that there won’t be any weeds that will grow in the lawn the following year.

3. Take time to compost because this is better than using fertilizers on the soil. This can be achieved by simply raking in all dead leaves and plants along with the soil so that the latter can absorb the nutrients coming in from these dried plants.

There are more things that you can apply in winterizing the lawn. You can look at the matter this way – if you are storing food at your home for the season to make sure that you will be survived and all members of the family will stay healthy despite the cold weather, this is also how you must look at the condition of the soil. Even as the season changes, you must still tend to the soil to make sure that it would be healthy and ready to be used after the snow has gone and you can plant anew on the lawn.

Don’t limit yourself by refusing to learn the details about Winterizing. The more you know, the easier it will be to focus on what’s important.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Wintering Your Boat: How To Prepare It For Winter

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

As the boating season comes to a halt, your top concern would be preparing your boat for winter storage. You have to make sure it is safe and snug all through winter and can survive the cold weather. Hiring a professional to winterize your boat is a good option, although you can do the job on your own. Along with the manufacturer’s recommendations, the following guidelines can help you through winterizing your boat.

Clean the boat’s interior.
This means taking the mess off the carpet, getting rid of the food items from the refrigerator, dusting the lockers and cabinets, airing out the cushions, etc. Clear the interior as thoroughly as possible. Take note of the damages and do arrangements to have the necessary replacements. Also, provide proper boat ventilation to avoid trapping moisture inside, which invites the growth of mold and mildew. Consider using mildew spray and dehumidifiers as well.

Fill the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer.
Doing so will prevent condensation and oxidation that may work against the engine. After adding stabilizer, run the motor up until the stabilizer has penetrated the engine.

Change the oil.
Drain the old oil properly and replace it with fresh oil. Start the engine to allow the oil to circulate and penetrate the system. Changing oil is necessary to prevent corrosion that results in engine defects. Do not forget to change the oil filter as well.

Hose the engine with fresh water.
Then, allow the engine to drain. Make sure the engine is completely drained of water because a small amount of residual water will tend to freeze and result in serious damages. To prevent the build-up of rust and corrosion, spray fogging oil onto the engine. Start by running the engine and shutting down the fuel supply. As soon as the engine stops on its own, take out the spark plugs and spray fogging oil onto the cylinders.

If you don’t have accurate details regarding Winterizing, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don’t let that happen: keep reading.

Take a good look at the hull.
If you find gelcoat blisters, treat them with special epoxy. Also, check the bottom of the boat and scrape off barnacles. You can pressure-wash the bottom to remove tough dirt and slime. Do the necessary painting and waxing to restore the boat’s exterior appeal.

Charge the batteries.
Disconnect the batteries, add distilled water, and charge them at home. Some boat experts advise charging the batteries after every 30 to 60 days.

Choose the best storage method for your boat.
You have three options: backyard storage, indoor storage, or boatyard shrink-wrapping. Backyard storage is a convenient and practical approach. Keeping the boat in your yard only requires a boat cover, which should be sturdy and made of breathable materials to discourage moisture and growth of mold and mildew. Indoor storage, on the other hand, means keeping your boat in a paid facility. This can be a bit costly, but it guarantees that your boat is safe and protected from winter elements.

The final option is shrink-wrapping your boat. After winterizing your boat, you can either have a boatyard personnel shrink-wrap your boat or buy a kit and do it on your own, after which the boat is placed in a boatyard to spend the winter.

Sometimes it’s tough to sort out all the details related to this subject, but I’m positive you’ll have no trouble making sense of the information presented above.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Your Diet May Need Winterizing

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

It may sound strange, but yes, your diet may also need winterizing. Winterizing or winterization is the process of preparing your property for cold climate. Normally, it would include removing water from pipes, gutters, irrigation and water systems, covering pools and checking vehicle engines to ensure that they would last through winter and after that.

It is not just our properties that need to be prepared for the winter season. Our bodies and our health may also need some winterizing. Since, we almost spend all our time indoors, it is not impossible for illnesses like colds to spread quickly. We need to preserve our health and well-being during winter.

? Fresh produce like fruits can be a little more costly during winter. You could start by storing some fruits during fall. Root vegetables are in season like turnips and potatoes, so you cook sumptuous meals around vegetables that are in season.

? Soups are the best during low temperatures. Aside from taking away the cold, broths are also rich in minerals which could help improve your digestion. Besides, having something hot could help you keep warm.

? Another great dish during winter is the sauerkraut or fermented vegetables. Fermented vegetables could also improve your digestion.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there’s more to Winterizing than you may have first thought.

? Vitamin D is important for your bone development and help your body against flu and depression. Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D. However, during winter most of the time is spent indoors which deprives us the major source of this vitamin and nutrient. There are different sources of vitamin D like cod liver oil, fatty fish, shell fish and pasture-raised animal fats. Milk, cereal and orange juice is also another source of vitamin D. You could take vitamin D supplements.

? Intake of vitamin C is also important during winter. Since there is limited fresh fruits, lack of vitamin C that will boost a person’s immune system is also a common problem. You could start taking vitamin C tablets and drinking fruit juices rich with vitamin C like orange juice or pineapple juice.

We would notice that we are suffering from vitamin deficiencies if we start feeling tired every time. Aside from that we could see from our skin, hair and nails that we are not getting enough vitamins and nutrients. Lack of sufficient vitamins and minerals would make us susceptible to sicknesses.

Insufficient vitamin C in the body could also cause iron deficiency. Iron is absorbed by the body through the help of vitamin C. With insufficient vitamin C in the body, you could suffer from Iron Deficiency Anemia and may frequently feel sluggish and tired. When taking iron supplements, make sure that you will be keeping it out of reach of children, since it could lead to poisoning. In that light, always keep medications and drugs safe from children’s reach.

You could do some meal planning to make sure your children are getting enough nutrients and vitamins that they should be getting. Adults could also take multivitamins everyday to boost their health. Winterizing your diet does not mean you would have to stick with common and usual winter food. With a little bit of imagination and creativity, you could make the best out of seasonal produce and maintain everybody’s health.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of Winterizing. Share your new understanding about Winterizing with others. They’ll thank you for it.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Winterizing Your House: The Five Parts You Should Focus On

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

There is no better way to prepare for the coming cold season other than winterizing your house. It would spare you from high heating expenses, equipment repair, and, of course, chilly nights and days. Start prepping up your abode during the fall, just before the temperature hits below the freezing point.

Here are five parts of your house you should inspect. You can manage some of the tasks all on your own, although in some cases you need to have professional assistance.

1. Fireplace. Your fireplace is one part of the house that can help you get through all winter, so get it ready very early on. Start with the chimney. You can have a certified chimney sweep to do an inspection and remove anything that might have been trapped in the chimney, usually balls, birds, and the likes. To prevent any foreign object getting into the chimney, you can protect it with a cap or screen. The woodstove should also be thoroughly cleaned of creosote and, as advised by experts, have glass doors that must be kept closed when the stove is not in use. Inspect the fireplace damper as well and, like the woodstove, it should be closed when not in use. Then, start collecting firewood and store them in a secure, dry place.

2. Furnace. Inspection and cleaning of furnace requires professional assistance, which will cost about $100. Replace furnace filters monthly or at least after every six months. An old and dirty filter obstructs airflow, inevitably affecting its performance. Although it is rare, it can also cause fire. Also, consider the possibility of buying a new furnace if it is quite old, say more than 10 years old, and in need of constant repair. Remember, an inefficient and malfunctioning furnace pumps up the heating costs.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about Winterizing. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.

3. Door. You wouldn’t want cold air to come gushing from your door, so winterize your door by sealing any crack and installing weatherstripping on the sides and top of the door and door sweep on its bottom.

4. Roof. Inspect if the roof misses a tile, shingle, or nail; has the flashings and metal plates damaged; needs caulking; or is generally in bad shape. If it is, you need to have someone fix the roof and replace any worn-out parts. If there is one thing that will protect the whole house from winter, it is your roof, so make sure it can stand the whole season.

5. Gutters. Your first concern is to check if the gutters are securely and firmly fastened to the roof. If they are not, immediately call for a roofing professional to fix the problem. Then, clean the gutters and remove leaves and other debris that have fallen into the gutters. Hose them down if necessary. Check if the gutters have leaks and if the downspouts are efficiently driving water away.

These are only five parts of the house, but there are other parts that you should look into when winterizing your house. Remember, the house should be prepared inside and out, so check every nook and cranny.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his new GVO affiliate site: GVO

Get Through The Tough Road By Winterizing Your Car

Friday, July 16th, 2010

If you’re seriously interested in knowing about Winterizing, you need to think beyond the basics. This informative article takes a closer look at things you need to know about Winterizing.

Getting ready for winter also means getting your car ready for the icy and snowy roads. Doing so lessens the possibilities of winter road accidents and other mishaps. After all, you don’t want getting stuck up in the middle of nowhere, with your engine coming to a halt, or your tires losing traction, or your wiper blades snapping into pieces down the road. Winterizing your car early on saves you your life, especially so if you live in an area where snow is non-stop.

Here are six easy steps to winterize your car. Do them as early as you can to get your car ready to face the toughest winter conditions.

1. Mind your tires. First off, check the tire pressure. As the temperature gets colder, tire pressure decreases. Generally, a temperature drop by 10ºF causes a pound per square inch loss in tire pressure. Inflate your car if needed, as deflated tires have significantly reduced traction and can be quite dangerous on icy and wet roads. To better ensure safety, you can choose to use snow tires during winter months, which are more equipped to handle adverse winter road conditions since they have better traction and control.

2. Inspect windshield wipers. Replace them if yours are more than a year, because if they are too old, chances are they won’t stand against the snow, and, as you know, it is seriously dangerous if the wiper blades split and break just when you are driving in the middle of a blizzard. Also, use windshield washer fluid in place of water to break the snow on the windshield. Before winter sets in, make sure your wipers are ready to do what they were created for: clear your windshield and give you a good view.

Most of this information comes straight from the Winterizing pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

3. Check your oil. Oil works to lubricate the engine, but if it is too cold, oil thickens, which may be bad for the engine. Therefore, use the type of oil with less viscosity or thickness during winter months. You can check your owner’s manual to figure what type of oil your car needs during this season.

4. Examine your heater and defroster. Your heater functions to keep you warm and snug when you are driving, while the defroster makes sure that no moist fogs up the windshield. Make sure these two are working properly, as it is quite hard to drive while shaking in cold and with moist blocking your view.

5. Inspect your car battery. Usually batteries can last three to five years. If your battery is past that frame, it is time for a replacement. If it is not, you only need to do a thorough inspection on your battery. See if there are corrosions on the cables and other areas. Also, check if the battery fluid runs low, and if it does, carefully add distilled water onto it. Consult a car mechanic should you need more guidance in your battery inspection.

6. Keep an emergency kit. When winterizing your car, organize an emergency kit, which can have flashlights, bottles of oil and washer fluid, ice scraper, gloves, blanket, and every other tool and item that will keep you safe during your winter drive. Having an emergency kit is as equally important as checking all car parts.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Boat Winterizing

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Winterizing is certainly no exception.

Unlike your home and vehicle which you could see and check everyday during winter, boats are harder to check. Aside from that, it is important to winterize your boat properly to ensure better performance and longer life. Insurance policies may not cover damages caused by neglect or improper boat maintenance. When winterizing, you start by removing your boat from the water and putting it in a covered, dry place. Boats left in the open during winter would eventually have problems. Heavy snow can force the scuppers, thru-hull fittings and event the gunnels.

When winterizing your boat, always check its manual. Since the steps and recommendations from the manufacturer about winterization is already stated there. You could also get somebody who is experienced with winterizing boats, especially if you are not completely confident with your skills or if it is your first time to own a boat.

Here are things that you would need to keep in mind when winterizing a boat:

? Keep the fuel tank full. This would ensure that there is just a small space for it to expand. Condensation could cause the fuel to expand and lead to corrosion and clogging.

? Protect your engine. Run the engine before changing the oil. A warm oil will make it easier for the impurities to be removed or drained. Change the oil filters. During cold season, the oil would settle on the bottom of the engine block. This may expose other parts of the engine to humidity and corrosion. To avoid this, you could spray fogging oil and removing spark plugs.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

? Outboard engines should be washed with soap and water. Then drain the water from the engine. In addition, remove all fuel from the carburetor.

? Check the propeller whether it may need repairs. You could have them repaired during the winterization process.

? Clean both the interior and exterior of the boat. After cleaning the exterior, add some polish on the surface. This would protect the boat from dirt and dust.

? Drain all the water tanks. You may also add a non-toxic antifreeze into the water system.

Aside from tanks, water should also be drained from the sea strainer. Most of the times, the seawater strainer is not relieved of any water. This could damage the seal and will only show its damage when spring comes and bilges is flooded. Also remove any important belongings inside your boa, like valuables, fire extinguishers, flares, fenders and other valuables and electronics. You could have a dehumidifier inside the boat to make sure that mildew will not invade your boat’s interior.

Where you keep your boat during the winter is also a factor. It is important to keep your boat covered. Usually, canvass boat covers about 8 to 10 ounces of canvass would be enough. The bat should also be undercovered to protect it against dust, dirt, and pests. there are also boat owners who consider doing the shrink-wrapping of a boat. You could always purchase do-it-yourself kits to safeguard or when winterizing your boat.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Save Money By Winterizing Your Windows

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

If there is one thing that is dreaded during winter, it is the heating bills. More so now that heating costs are rising up. You can, of course, cut down your heating expenses, and one of the most effective ways to do this is by winterizing your windows. Authorities said that winterizing windows can reduce heating expenses by 20 to 30%, which, in general terms, can mean a considerable amount of dollars. The primary goal of winterizing windows is to prevent heat loss, and here are some ways you can do this:

1. Know your windows. Before you embark into your winterization task, first figure what types of windows you have. Doing so will enable you to find the compatible treatment and installations needed. There are varied types of windows: single-hung, double-hung, horizontal sliding, swing out, and slat piece, among others. Also, consider how old your windows are, because if they are rather old and function quite unfavorably, perhaps what you need to do is replace them. Though this move may cost you more, this is more practical in the long run.

2. Check the windows for leaks. There are a lot of ways to do this, and one is with the use of a candle. Hold a lit candle at least four inches from the window, and notice if the flame flickers; if it does, great chances you’ve spotted the leak. You can also use an incense stick. Watch the smoke trail as it moves with air current; it will lead you to a leak, if there is.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Winterizing. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

3. Install weatherstripping to remedy leaks. The type of weatherstripping to use and how to install it depends on the type of your window. You can buy a weatherstripping kit or buy the materials separately. Some of the materials often used are felt, aluminum, and vinyl. Install weatherstripping along frames, sash, and sides, depending on the type of your window.

4. Caulk your windows. Caulking is done to seal any cracks and gaps on your windows. Apply caulk around the frame, sash, or anywhere there is a crack that encourages heat loss. Interior caulking is better, although exterior caulking is also done for weatherproofing. Caulk wears out over time, so it is important to replace and re-apply when winterizing.

5. Cover the windows with shrink plastic. While this doesn’t appeal aesthetically, plastic can be an easy solution to leaky windows. You can cover either the outside or inside windows, although some prefer the latter. With double-sided tapes plastered on the window frames, attach the shrink plastic, which you can buy from home improvement stores, and spread across the windows. Use a hair dryer to shrink and smoothen out the plastic. In place of a shrink plastic, you can use plastic wrap for food.

6. Install blinds. Match it with multi-layered treatments such as vinyl-backed curtains and draperies. This way, you can keep the warm air in and the cold air out. It is recommended to have as much layers as you can to keep more warm air inside. In place of blinds, drapes alone would do just as well in winterizing your windows.

It never hurts to be well-informed with the latest on Winterizing. Compare what you’ve learned here to future articles so that you can stay alert to changes in the area of Winterizing.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Winterization Within Budget

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Current info about Winterizing is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Winterizing info available.

Energy bills could run very high during winter. Winterizing or preparing for the winter may also be a problem for your purse. There are ways in which you could increase your home’s heating efficiency but at the same time, cur down a little from your previous winter electric bill.

There are things which you could do on your own. There are some homeowners who would hire professional help from plumbers, electricians and contractors. But during this stage of crisis and financial hardship, we can use some simple, do-it-your own and within the budget winterization process.

? Hiring somebody to winterize your home could be expensive. You could start learning on how you could do it from books in your local library or by tackling some cracks and holes. You could also visit websites that could give you sufficient information and even step-by-step procedures.

? You could use plastic sheets when covering unused windows and doors. They could easily be bought in different stores like home improvement shops.

? Do not forget the dryer vent and the area surrounding your washing machine and kitchen sink pipes. Any holes would let the cold wind in and is wasted energy. You could use foam or foam board which can be bought in hardware stores.

? Avoid using your ventilating fans in the kitchen and bathroom since it would suck your heated air out.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole Winterizing story from informed sources.

? If you have rooms that are not occupied, then it is better to seal off the vent and the doors of these rooms. Imagine keeping the room heated when nobody is even using or going in it.

? Dirty filters are not only dirty, they could also mean more money. Dirt could clog the filters and would eventually cause the filters to work harder and longer.

? You could pull your curtains off the window every morning to let the sunshine and some warmth in the room. At night, your could draw back the curtains to contain the heat and separate the windows from the rest of the heated house.

Preparing your home and your property is not the only thing that you would have to winterize. You would also need to prepare your freezer and your family members for the winter. Summer is a great time for buying sales of fresh produce. You could start stocking up during summer for the winter. You could buy canned fruits, vegetables and meat. Having enough food is important since winter would often mean roads closed, power outages, and harsh weather to be outside. Some would even have extra money with them in case of emergencies.

Aside from fresh produce, you could also start buying equipment that you may need, for example some tape to cover cracks where cold air could pass through. You could also start washing your blankets even before winter strikes. This would save you enough time and at the same time the hassle of preparing the blankets once the first freeze comes in.

Winterizing frugally can be pretty hard. Besides, winter is the most expensive season there is. Energy bills could take a chunk out of your funds. Anyway, it is important to put your family’s comfort and health before anything else.

Now that wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word on Winterizing.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Simple Solutions on Winterizing Your Boat

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

This article explains a few things about Winterizing, and if you’re interested, then this is worth reading, because you can never tell what you don’t know.

There are many things that you can do to prepare your house for winter. Your house is only among the many important things that you should look after and prepare for the coming season. If you own a boat, it will also be best to be guided about ways on winterizing the material. The important parts that you should look into at this point are the hull and, of course, the interior of the boat. Aside from these, you should also prepare its drive system and engine to make sure that it would still work fine after the cold season.

To prepare the interior and hull of the boat for the freezing weather on the coming months, here are some steps that you should work at.

1. Before you store the boat, wash it first and wax so that you will have less work to do when it is time for spring. Maintain the shiny finish of the boat by maintaining its gelcoat.

2. Inspect the hull and be on the lookout for blisters at its gelcoat. When you find blisters, you should do something about the problem before this leads to even bigger dilemmas. Check the bow part if there are any stress cracks. These must be handled by professionals, so if you see such occurrence, call someone to help you about the matter. The hull must undergo pressure wash so that dirt and debris will be removed. If there are any barnacles, scrape these off and sand the affected areas.

See how much you can learn about Winterizing when you take a little time to read a well-researched article? Don’t miss out on the rest of this great information.

3. Vacuum the interiors of the boat and do steps in shining the brightwork. The boat must be properly ventilated because problems may occur from dry and moist air. If the covered boat is not ventilated the right way, mold and mildew might grow. The vinyl of the boat must be sprayed with mildew inhibitor. If the problem seems to be dry air, the vinyl must be sprayed with protectant or you an also use gel for this purpose. Make sure that you remove all electronics from the boat before you keep it for the coming season.

4. In storing the boat, you can choose to do this outdoors, indoors or at a boat yard. You have to determine what you want so that you can make certain arrangements early. If you will store it outdoors, get a sturdy boat cover and support frame that can help it withstand the heavy snow.

While doing the project, bear in mind that your main goal is to shield the boat from the low temperatures in the coming season. This way, it will be ready for use when winter is through and the boat can be used again.

You may also want to check other boat owners how they handle winterizing solutions for this equipment. By gathering as much information, you can weigh what factors you can consider implementing for your own boat. There may be things that you have overlooked and they may be able to remind you of these, plus other tips and tricks on how you can go about the process.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!

Tips For Winterizing Your Vacation Home

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Winterizing your vacation home, in essence, is preparing to close it down in time for winter. Shutting it down, however, is not as easy as it sounds. You need it to be meticulously done, otherwise, you will go back home to a place of broken pipes, rodents, and a number of damages come post-winter season. But although it’s kind of a meticulous task, winterizing your vacation home can be quite manageable if you follow some tips.

Clear the gutters and surrounding area of your vacation home.
Remove all the leaves and other debris from the gutters so that melting snow and ice can freely flow and do not create ice dams in the structure. You can have your gutters covered with a screen, if leaves and other debris seem to be a problem while you’re away. Next, prune trees and plants that can potentially cause property damages if snow storms and winds occur. Then, clean your lawn, so when ice and water accumulate, no rodents will take residence in it. Also, cover your chimney with protective cap, and other possible entry points for that matter, to keep rodents, pests, and foreign objects from entering.

Shut down water system.
Never leave the vacation home without turning off the water pump, because failure to do so may cause the water trapped in the lines to freeze and the pipes to break and burst. Now, once you shut off the pump, drain the water pipes. Do this by turning the faucets on until all residual water comes out. Use a compressor to make sure there is no more water remaining in the lines.

Winterize the toilet.
Empty the toilet tank to avoid cracks. The bowl, on the other hand, should be drained by scooping out as much water as you can. Add antifreeze solution to the remaining water to prevent it from freezing. Antifreeze solution should also be added to sinks and shower traps.

Is everything making sense so far? If not, I’m sure that with just a little more reading, all the facts will fall into place.

Insulate the house.
Install insulation in the attic to prevent heat loss. The same should be done in the basement so as not to cause pipe breaks.

De-clutter your house.
Eliminate all products, such as medicine, cosmetics, beverages, and food items, that may rot and freeze in the winter months. You can dispose them of or bring them to your main house. Your refrigerator should also be unplugged, emptied, cleaned, and propped open all through winter to prevent the development of mildew and unpleasant odor. All other appliances should as well be unplugged.

Keep outdoor furniture and appliances inside.
To prevent them from winter damages, all outdoor furniture and appliances?from stools to barbecue equipment?should be kept indoors. Tools should also be stored in the garage. Should keeping them indoors is impossible, cover them with protective sheets, like plastic.

Turn the heating system on.
Some homeowners prefer to turn it off, while others like to leave their heating system in a working order. It works best for them, especially if they worry about going back to a vacation home infested with mold and mildew. If you prefer to keep the heating system on, keep a minimum heat of 62ºF. This way, you can continue winterizing your vacation home while you’re away.

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you’ll be glad you took the time to learn more about Winterizing.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit this new site for my swedish customers: Billigt Webbhotell – from SEK 10:- per month!