GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR WINTER

It’s hard to believe how quickly 2016 has gone by, but here it is almost November. It’s time to think about getting your home ready for winter, whether you like it or not. If you live in a newly constructed Nilson Homes, there’s not a lot you need to do with the actual structure of your home. You don’t need to put on storm windows or put those little snakes in front of the door to prevent drafts. A new Nilson home is going to be weather tight and beautiful at the same time.

While you may not need to do anything with regard to windows, doors, siding etc, there are some things that every homeowner should do before the first snowfall.

GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR WINTER

1. Turn off outside water – This is a simple enough task, simply turn off the water faucets that are outside. Be sure to leave the tap open so any water left inside the pipe doesn’t crack the pipe when it expands from freezing. There should be a valve to bleed the line between the off valve and the faucet, but it’s still a good idea to leave the faucet open. You may want to blow out any water in hoses as well.
2. Store hoses and sprinklers  – Once you’ve emptied the water from any hoses, sprinklers and other attachments, bring them into the garage to store them for the season. We build oversized garages in all our homes so there’s plenty of room to store all your garden accessories. There’s no excuse to leave anything out in the yard.
3. Overwinter your Geraniums – I love geraniums. Not only do they have a lovely aroma but they are nearly impossible to kill making them the perfect plant for those who are missing a green thumb. Geraniums can be made to go dormant, and then brought back to beautiful life in the spring.
4. Rake any leaves – If you have a lawn service, then move on to #5. If you don’t, then grab the kids and hand them a rake. It’s best to do the raking in the fall so any snow that falls can easily melt into the soil. With a layer of leaves between the precipitation and soil and you can create a nice bit of mold. If your area permits it you can burn the leaves or bring them to a composting site. Click here for information about composting facilities in Ogden.
5. Fertilize the lawn – Again, if you have a service you can move on. For those who don’t  – fertilizing the lawn in the fall will ensure a beautiful lawn in the spring, it’s also simple to do. Head on down to your nearest neighborhood hardware store or even big box chain and pick up your favorite brand of lawn fertilizer. Dump it in the spreader and go to town spreading it all over your lawn. That’s it! You don’t need to do anything fancy – just remember to keep pets and children off the lawn for the manufacturer’s recommended amount of time.

That’s about it. Getting your home ready for winter is easier than it’s ever been, especially if you live in a brand new home by Nilson Homes of Ogden.