tips to get ready for winter

Tips to get ready for Winter

Winter is the coldest season of the year in temperate climates, between autumn and spring.
11. Prepare to Stow Your Mower
As the mower sits through the winter, fuel remaining in its engine will decompose, varnishing the carburetor and causing difficulty when you try to start the engine in the spring.John Deere offers these preventive steps: If you have added stabilizer to your fuel to keep it fresh longer, then fill the gas tank to the top with more stabilized fuel and run the engine briefly to allow it to circulate. If not, wait until the tank is nearly empty from use and run the engine to use up the remaining fuel. Check your mowers manual for other cold-weather storage steps.
12. Don t Prune Trees or Shrubs Until Late Winter
You may be tempted to get out the pruning shears after the leaves fall, when you can first see the underlying structure of the plant. But horticulturalists advise waiting to prune until late winter for most plants, when they have been long dormant and just before spring growth begins.
To get advice specific to your plants and region, consult master gardeners at local nurseries or horticulturalists with your state university's cooperation extension department. One exception: You may need to hire an arborist to remove deadfall or trim limbs close to your home or power lines that could cause problems in a winter storm.
13. Test Your Sump Pump
Slowly pour several gallons of water into the sump pit to see whether the pump turns on. You should do this every few months, but especially after a long dry season or before a rainy one.For more complete instructions for testing and maintenance, check your owners manual. Most sump pumps last about ten years, according to Chubb Personal Insurance.
14. Call a Chimney Sweep
Before you burn the Yule log, make sure your fireplace , chimney and vents are clean and in good repair. That will prevent chimney fires and prevent carbon monoxide from creeping into your home.Search for a sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. You can expect to pay $50 to $90 for an inspection to see if you need a cleaning, and $100 to $300 for the cleaning.
15. Restock Winter Essentials
Dont wait for the first winter storm to restock cold-weather essentials, such as salt or ice melt. If you cant abide a snowblowers roar or the back-breaking workout of shoveling, check out the Sno Wovel, a wheeled shovel that does much of the heavy-lifting for you .