Need Pointers for Up and Coming Winter. (house, crawl space) - City-Data Forum

LeeB · 10-12-2008, 08:05 PM

This will be our first winter here. We are from California and I am seeking the advice of those on here. What do I need to do to prepare for winter? i.e. What should I do with my Garden Hose? and what about the stuff in my garage that is water based like Latex paint etc. What about plants and my lawn? When do I close my crawl space vents?

Being we are from California the only thing we had to do to winterize is throw another blanket on the bed.

We really love it here and can't to enjoy the 4 seasons we arrived here in April so we enjoyed Summer and are now enjoying Fall. (Oh the colors are awesome)

Any tips those of you who live here will be greatly appreciated

gabbyknashville · 10-12-2008, 08:13 PM

For your perrenials, you might cut them down low and give them a blanket of mulch...that is pretty much it for the yard. Close the crawl space before the end of October and bring in anything that might freeze. We will not have a severe freeze until closer to December but will have a few frost prior to then. You might also want to make sure you have antifreeze in your cars and try to keep a half to full tank of gas during the winter months to avoid freeze. I am glad you are enjoying the beautiful fall colors...be sure to take a drive down the Natchez Trace next weekend when the leaves will be at peak.

LeeB · 10-12-2008, 08:29 PM

Wow thanks.. I was just looking at the the Natchez Trace web site and your right it looks like it is a must see...

Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. National Park Service)

Mary_Moon · 10-12-2008, 10:05 PM

Make sure you know the quickest route to Kroger or Publix so you can stock up on bread and milk at the first mention of snow on the local newscasts...

RS-1080 · 10-12-2008, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary_Moon

Make sure you know the quickest route to Kroger or Publix so you can stock up on bread and milk at the first mention of snow on the local newscasts...

LOL. Thats true but for the life of me I never figured out why folks run to the store soon as they hear the words ''snow''. LOL, been here all my life and never ran to the store as I know when it snows, it's clear the next day. Surely folks have enough food in their house to live ''one day'' lol.

46Barb · 10-13-2008, 06:58 AM

I empty the garden hose of water in case there's a freeze and store in the garage.

Paint shouldn't be left outside if it can freeze; may go bad.

"Ice Melt" - I have this on hand to put on my walkway or deck. I used it 5 times this past winter because of the freeze in the morning. If you don't have to go out until the sun melts the ice, then you don't need it.

Have a winter coat, gloves & hat on hand for those days it's really cold; people say the real cold weather usually lasts 4-6 weeks.

Mary_Moon · 10-13-2008, 07:33 AM

Honestly, I never close my crawl space vents. I DO disconnect and drain my garden hose but I don't think you really need one of thos insulating spigot covers. Have at least 2 cans of automobile lock de-icer and keep one in your car and another at home. I got stuck out shopping once when we have a snow storm blow through and within 20 minutes the locks on my car were frozen. If you have any water lines exposed, but heat tape and make sure you turn it on during freezing weather. At our last house, we had a water softner system in the garage. One really cold day, the pipes in the garage burst causing $1500 worth of damage/emergency repair costs.

Also, if you have any work to do outside; caulking, insulating, installing storm windows, etc., do it soon. Weather here changes in a blink of an eye and if you put it off, you'll be out working in a jacket and gloves.

ben52284 · 10-13-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mary_Moon

Also, if you have any work to do outside; caulking, insulating, installing storm windows, etc., do it soon. Weather here changes in a blink of an eye and if you put it off, you'll be out working in a jacket and gloves.

On the other hand, if you give it another few weeks, the insects will finally disappear, and it will become possible to work outside w/o getting eaten alive

DonCorleone · 10-13-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeB

What about plants and my lawn? When do I close my crawl space vents?

Everyone's chimed in some good advice so far. Depending on when your home was built, your vents may close themselves. I had a home built in 1996 and my first fall owning the home, I went down to close the vents and realized they were already closed! It was magic!

I guess they have a device that measures temperature and they activate themselves.

As far as plants, obviously the annuals will be toast in a few weeks. I would probably go ahead and pull the ones that are getting brown now. I agree that if you don't have mulch, it is a good idea to toss some down around the perennials. Once spring starts back up, you'll want to throw down some weed and feed for your grass...something that will keep the dandelions from taking over. I usually do this in late February/Early March. Because once you see the dandelions pop up, it is usually too late.

Good luck and enjoy the 4 seasons!

Big TR · 10-13-2008, 12:03 PM

Somebody mentioned keeping your gas tank at 1/2 full. This is not necessary. I lived in Chicago for the past decade and never once had to worry about this in any of my cars. I can guarantee that you won't have problems here in Nashville.