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Home Winterization Tips

  • Dec 4, 2024
  • 2 min read

This winter season, it's crucial to take proactive steps to protect your home from harsh weather. This guide provides helpful tips to help ensure that your home stays in top condition over the coming winter months.


Protecting Your Landscape

Fertilize Your Lawn: A well-nourished lawn is more resilient to winter's chill. Apply fertilizer in October or November.

Mow Low: Keep your grass short to prevent frost damage. A 2-inch height is ideal.

Weed Control: Prevent spring weeds by applying a pre-emergent herbicide or a natural solution of vinegar, salt, and dish soap.


Winterizing Your Irrigation System

To avoid costly damage from frozen pipes, follow these simple steps:


Manual Systems:

  1. Locate the manual drain valves situated downstream of each zone valve. These are the ones at the lowest points in the sprinkler system, which is where water collects when the system is shut off.

  2. Turn off the water supply by closing the main valve to the sprinkler system. These valves are often located on a separate branch near the water meter. Look for a “T” connection.

  3.  Open all the manual drain valves for each zone in the system, and leave them open so that all the water drains from the pipes and sprinkler heads. Leave them open for a few days, if possible.

  4. Open drain valves located upstream of each zone valve to dump water from the main line.

  5. Close all the drain valves.


Automatic Systems:

  1. Turn off the water supply by closing the main valve to the sprinkler system. As pressure inside the system falls, it will drain water automatically.

  2. Open the drain cap between the main valve and the backflow device. This removes any water trapped in this section of piping.

  3. Lift each sprinkler head to drain out any residual water.

Protecting Your Plants

While winter can be harsh on plants, there are steps you can take to minimize damage:


Identify Freeze Damage: Look for discolored leaves, split trunks, and bowing branches.

Pruning: Carefully prune damaged areas, but avoid excessive pruning.

Consult a Professional: For severe damage or uncertainty, seek advice from local plant experts.


By following these tips, you can protect your home and landscape from the winter elements. Stay warm and safe this winter!

 
 
 

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