When is cold coming? (Boise: how much, new home, store)

[mickdoo]

So what months are we looking at before Mr. Winter hits. I just got into my domicile and need to winterize it. So much to do though I was just wondering how much time do I have before its real cold and it snows. Do you recommend carrying a winter kit in your car just in case? Like food, blankets,water just in case of being stranded?

[BoiseBound2012]

Originally Posted by mickdoo

So what months are we looking at before Mr. Winter hits. I just got into my domicile and need to winterize it. So much to do though I was just wondering how much time do I have before its real cold and it snows. Do you recommend carrying a winter kit in your car just in case? Like food, blankets,water just in case of being stranded?

Average Frost Dates - Farmers' Almanac

I had a summer kit, and now a winter kit, in my car. Always smart to be prepared.

Am toying with the idea of switching from all-weather tires to winter tires, maybe not w/studs, but winter tires at least. Not so much due to snow, but more for driving on ice.

If you are in an irrigation district, you need to find out when your landscape water will be turned off, which will probably be any day now. Talk to neighbors or your HOA, or the City about this. Once off, you'll need to have the system "blown out" so that standing water doesn't freeze and burst pipes. Lots of folks do that for about $25, but if you have an air compressor, you can do it yourself.

Get some spigot covers (foam usually) from any of the local hardware stores, for all outdoor spigots so they don't freeze.

Drain any garden hoses and store in your garage. I made sure that my downspouts drain away from the house, and used several cheap, easy to attach, "trays" and "tubes" to do this. Home Depot/Lowe's. have them.

I might insulate my garage doors, we'll see how cold it gets in there first, and how much that cold may or may not bother me. HD and Lowe's have kits that make this fairly easy.

When it's windy, walk about the house with a stick of incense, watch where the smoke goes, particulary around windows/doors/outlets and such.

Critters like to come in from the cold. Plug holes to keep out mice, etc.

Am sure your already aware of much of this, as it holds true in any climate, but thought I'd toss it out there.

Have fun, and again, welcome to Idaho!!

[countrylv22]

Originally Posted by BoiseBound2012

Average Frost Dates - Farmers' Almanac

I had a summer kit, and now a winter kit, in my car. Always smart to be prepared.

Am toying with the idea of switching from all-weather tires to winter tires, maybe not w/studs, but winter tires at least. Not so much due to snow, but more for driving on ice.

If you are in an irrigation district, you need to find out when your landscape water will be turned off, which will probably be any day now. Talk to neighbors or your HOA, or the City about this. Once off, you'll need to have the system "blown out" so that standing water doesn't freeze and burst pipes. Lots of folks do that for about $25, but if you have an air compressor, you can do it yourself.

Get some spigot covers (foam usually) from any of the local hardware stores, for all outdoor spigots so they don't freeze.

Drain any garden hoses and store in your garage. I made sure that my downspouts drain away from the house, and used several cheap, easy to attach, "trays" and "tubes" to do this. Home Depot/Lowe's. have them.

I might insulate my garage doors, we'll see how cold it gets in there first, and how much that cold may or may not bother me. HD and Lowe's have kits that make this fairly easy.

When it's windy, walk about the house with a stick of incense, watch where the smoke goes, particulary around windows/doors/outlets and such.

Critters like to come in from the cold. Plug holes to keep out mice, etc.

Am sure your already aware of much of this, as it holds true in any climate, but thought I'd toss it out there.

Have fun, and again, welcome to Idaho!!

BB2012, Great post with very helpful tips & link! You are one of my favorite posters It is so cool that you got everyone together for lunch Enjoy your new home! 5 REPS/cookies going your way!

I love it when I see people contributing with helpful information after they moved in!


Mickdoo, best of wishes to you as well

[BoiseBound2012]

Originally Posted by countrylv22

BB2012, Great post with very helpful tips & link! You are one of my favorite posters It is so cool that you got everyone together for lunch Enjoy your new home! 5 REPS/cookies going your way!

I love it when I see people contributing with helpful information after they moved in!


Mickdoo, best of wishes to you as well

Wow, thank you!!! I love sharing info., the more we know, the better off we are (usually ).

[mickdoo]

Originally Posted by BoiseBound2012

Average Frost Dates - Farmers' Almanac

I had a summer kit, and now a winter kit, in my car. Always smart to be prepared.

Am toying with the idea of switching from all-weather tires to winter tires, maybe not w/studs, but winter tires at least. Not so much due to snow, but more for driving on ice.

If you are in an irrigation district, you need to find out when your landscape water will be turned off, which will probably be any day now. Talk to neighbors or your HOA, or the City about this. Once off, you'll need to have the system "blown out" so that standing water doesn't freeze and burst pipes. Lots of folks do that for about $25, but if you have an air compressor, you can do it yourself.

Get some spigot covers (foam usually) from any of the local hardware stores, for all outdoor spigots so they don't freeze.

Drain any garden hoses and store in your garage. I made sure that my downspouts drain away from the house, and used several cheap, easy to attach, "trays" and "tubes" to do this. Home Depot/Lowe's. have them.

I might insulate my garage doors, we'll see how cold it gets in there first, and how much that cold may or may not bother me. HD and Lowe's have kits that make this fairly easy.

When it's windy, walk about the house with a stick of incense, watch where the smoke goes, particulary around windows/doors/outlets and such.

Critters like to come in from the cold. Plug holes to keep out mice, etc.

Am sure your already aware of much of this, as it holds true in any climate, but thought I'd toss it out there.

Have fun, and again, welcome to Idaho!!

Thanks Alice you are the best...

[mickdoo]

Originally Posted by countrylv22

BB2012, Great post with very helpful tips & link! You are one of my favorite posters It is so cool that you got everyone together for lunch Enjoy your new home! 5 REPS/cookies going your way!

I love it when I see people contributing with helpful information after they moved in!


Mickdoo, best of wishes to you as well

heh thank you very much

[mickdoo]

I just thought of something else too. Make sure you have right mix of anti freeze in the radiator. You can check this with a device from auto parts store. I would go for a mix that was zero or below. If not your block will crack.

[BoiseBound2012]

Originally Posted by mickdoo

I just thought of something else too. Make sure you have right mix of anti freeze in the radiator. You can check this with a device from auto parts store. I would go for a mix that was zero or below. If not your block will crack.

OH! Good point, I need to do that next month since my car was new in CA, and not been serviced here yet.

Thanks!!!

[IdaD]

Originally Posted by mickdoo

So what months are we looking at before Mr. Winter hits. I just got into my domicile and need to winterize it. So much to do though I was just wondering how much time do I have before its real cold and it snows. Do you recommend carrying a winter kit in your car just in case? Like food, blankets,water just in case of being stranded?

If you're traveling out of town, you definitely should have blankets, food and water in your vehicle. I'd say that's true most times during the year, but particularly in the winter. Tire chains/cables, a recovery strap, jumper cables and a first aid kit should also be on board. A small shovel is a good idea too, as is a good flashlight or headlamp.

Suitable clothing is a must as well. I helped a kid a couple of winters ago who came around a corner too fast and hit some ice and rolled his car. I got his car off the road called for help and then waited with him. The kid was wearing shorts with flip flops, and the heaviest thing he had to wear was sweatshirt. Bear in mind this was in January in the mountains during a heavy snow storm. It wasn't super cold but it was probably only 15-20 degrees.

[mickdoo]

Originally Posted by IdaD

If you're traveling out of town, you definitely should have blankets, food and water in your vehicle. I'd say that's true most times during the year, but particularly in the winter. Tire chains/cables, a recovery strap, jumper cables and a first aid kit should also be on board. A small shovel is a good idea too, as is a good flashlight or headlamp.

Suitable clothing is a must as well. I helped a kid a couple of winters ago who came around a corner too fast and hit some ice and rolled his car. I got his car off the road called for help and then waited with him. The kid was wearing shorts with flip flops, and the heaviest thing he had to wear was sweatshirt. Bear in mind this was in January in the mountains during a heavy snow storm. It wasn't super cold but it was probably only 15-20 degrees.

Thanks Ida , good job helping that youngster