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Solving Winter ProblemsBy Jim Sulski Summary:After the warm weather months, winter can come with a vengeance. We'll look at a number of problems that plague do-it-yourselfers during the cold wintry months. After the warm weather months, winter can come with a vengeance. We'll look at a number of problems that plague do-it-yourselfers during the cold wintry months
With about another month or so of warm temperatures, the early days of fall are a good opportunity to prepare the outside of your home for the numbness of the winter months. Winterizing, however, means more than just taking down the screens and putting up the storm windows. It's also means correctly cleaning and storing away outdoor furniture and equipment associated with summer - lawn chairs, window air conditioners, garden tools, etc. Winterizing will also prolong the life and look of outdoor furniture and equipment. What follows are a handful of winterizing tips easily accomplished by the typical do-it-yourselfer. [] Window air conditioner units should be removed from a window for the winter, mainly to cut back on cold drafts but also to prolong the life of the air conditioner. The best place to store an A/C unit is in the basement, not the garage. After removing the unit, you can also clean the air conditioner by taking it outside, removing the cabinet and spraying down the insides with a garden hose (or follow the manufacturer's suggestions). When ready to store, place the air conditioner in a large plastic bag - such as a heavy-duty trash bag - to keep it dust free. Put it on blocks up off of the floor, especially if you tend to get water in your basement. Be careful not to damage the fragile coils or fins. If removal is not possible, wrap the exterior of the unit in a plastic bag made for air conditioners to lessen drafts and protect the unit. These bags are available at home improvement stores. You may also need to seal the interior of the window with a weather-stripping kit to further prevent drafts. Most adhere to the window via an adhesive strip or are melted on with a heat source such as a hair dryer. • Water hoses should be drained thoroughly and stored in a large bag or plastic container, such as a trashcan. If you don't drain them, they can crack when the water inside them freezes. Coil the hose to prevent tangles next spring but don't hang them from a hook as that can crack a cold and brittle hose. Outdoor water faucets should be shut off for the winter and drained. Look for a shutoff valve on the inside of the basement along the pipe that supplies water to the faucet outside. Turn the valve clockwise to close it. Then, turn on the faucet outside to allow any remaining water to drain. •Outdoor furniture should be cleaned, and some types of outdoor furniture should be covered and possibly stored away, before the winter months. Chaise lounges and lawn chairs can be hung from garage or basement walls on bicycle hooks, and small benches placed on shelves. Before storing, furniture should be rinsed with clean water, then gently scrubbed with a non-abrasive cleaner and thoroughly hosed down. Allow the pieces to completely dry. Wood furniture should then be coated with a teak oil to help preserve it during the winter months. If the furniture is going to be left outdoors, you can cover it with a plastic sheet to help keep it clean. Store benches under tables and place a few wood blocks on the table to keep the plastic from sitting directly on the tabletop. This will prevent moisture problems. Use tape or string to keep the plastic sheets attached to the tables and prevent them from blowing away. Aluminum and vinyl furniture, meanwhile, can be protected by a quick coat of vinyl wax. Wrought iron furniture should be cleaned but left uncovered to avoid moisture, which will promote rusting. Rust spots should be removed by scraping down to the bare metal with a fine-grade steel wool or emery cloth. Then use a can of spray rustproof enamel to repaint the spot. •Lawn mowers should also receive some attention before being stored away for the winter. The following steps should ensure an easy start in the spring. Try to drain the fuel by running the machine until empty. Or drain the gasoline out of the mower and pour it into your car's tank. There are also additives available at home improvement stores that will prevent the gas from turning bad. Finally, store the mower in a basement versus an unheated garage as the cold can harm any remaining oil and fuel. If you can't, there are large "banana" bags you can buy that will protect the mower from the cold and dust during the winter months.
© by Jim Sulski. All rights reserved. August 1, 2005. NOTE: This column is distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate, PO Box 366, Glencoe, Illinois, 60022. This column may not be resold, reprinted, resyndicated or redistributed without written permission from the publisher. © 2005 by Ilyce R. Glink. Distributed by Real Estate Matters Syndicate. |
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