Winter Preparedness Steps for Richmond, VA
While it seemed like it was never going to actually get cool, all of a sudden the temperatures have plunged, and we are in a position wherein the cold feels colder than it ever has up to now. Winds, rainfall, sleet, and yes, snow, are all on their way, so you have to make sure that you are prepared for their madness. Have you completed all that you need to do before the season begins to get as savage as it can?
If you haven’t started getting ready thus far, now is the most effective moment to start. Take some time to work off some of your Thanksgiving turkey and sides and go out into your yard to genuinely see what might come about if you don’t think toward the long term.
Not quite sure where to begin? Here are four ways to get ready for the winter:
4. Safeguard Yourself From The Cold Outside
- Obtain and put up storm window coverings
- Use plastic on the indoors
- Caulk any unsealed gaps
One of the most sensible and straightforward ideas you can do to prepare yourself and your family for this arriving time of year is to deter the cold from coming into your home. To do this, take a few preventive actions that the American Red Cross advises.
The very first to walk around your home from the exterior and the interior and see where winter air may seep into your home. Frequent offenders are windows and doors, although there can be gaps in another place. This will keep your home much more enjoyable and your electricity rates low, as well as eradicate some of the hazards that you might get a few nuisances boarding in your home over the season.
Another great possibility, primarily for those who abide close to the water, is to get storm windows. These will not only defend your house from the cold and wind but can also help them stay safe if rubbish starts to fly during a particularly bad blizzard. If getting storm covers is too financially demanding, consider lining the insides of your windows with plastic for some beefed up security.
3. Make Sure Your Equipment is Prepared
- Keep everything in close proximity to your home
- Always have a well-made shovel
- Have extra salt at the prepared
One of the primary miscalculations people make when they are attempting to get prepared for the cold weather season is that they get everything prepared and then they don’t have it around when the snowfall actually strikes. Will you need a shovel at some point? Yes. But how can you get it if we get 24″ of snowfall and the shovel is in your garden shed? Make certain that your equipment is available and close to your home at all times. Try placing it in your garage or on your porch. The CDC has a listing of items that you need to be prepared for snowstorms.
Check all of the essential gear, like shovels, ice scrapers, snow blowers, gloves, hats, chains, and anything else you may need to make yourself secure in the snow. Guarantee they will do their work appropriately and risk-free. It also isn’t a poor strategy to have several secondaries– just in case something goes wrong OR just in case you have a few helpers.
2. Winterize All Constructions
- Don’t forget swimming pools, garden ponds, and outside patios
- Take care to winterize small gardens and grass
- Never disregard your garage
Many people assume that they exclusively need to winterize their homes because that is the only spot they will really be throughout the storm, but that isn’t the situation. According to Weather Underground, many people fail to remember to winterize some elements on their properties, and that actually costs more money than the damage to your home would.
Winterize your pools, arbors, steps, and patios by disposing of anything that could blow away in a storm. Don’t forget that ice and snow are much heavier than rain, so you want to take away anything where snow can build up, like awnings or coverings. Anything that previously has sitting water (like a pool, birdbath, or container) will probably freeze in the cold, so you have to account for growth as well.
Most essentially, make sure you winterize your garage. While it is unlikely, if you do ever have to depart your property because of the snow, you want a risk-free way to get to your vehicle.
1. Take a Look at Your Trees
- Look for any dangling branches
- Be sure that they can receive water and nutrients
- Have unsafe branches cleared away
One of the most major challenges you may face during the wintry weather months is tree care. Trees have a tendency to slow down a little bit in the cold months, but they are still enduring and need to be able to get nutrients and water. Ensure that the ground is helping them to get what they need– especially once everything starts to solidify up and become dense. You also want to be sure that going into this time, your trees are in top condition and have an excellent chance of survival if they do have to go for a bit without water or food.
Finally, always speak to a professional tree service if you see any limbs that could pose a predicament to your home, cars and trucks, pool, constructions on your property, electrical lines, or the roadway if we do get a sizable ice storm or snow storm. These types of storms can weigh down trees and make it so that you have an emergency of your own in the middle of a weather-related problem. Per a posting from the United States Government, assure that you have the phone number of a local tree care company in case you do have a predicament.
If you are in need of a go-to tree service contractor in the Richmond area, contact Ridgeline Tree Service today. We are a skillful team of skilled professionals that take tree care, most especially tree care in the winter months, extremely seriously. Your trees and your safety mean a lot to us, so we want to do whatever we can to make you feel more protected this winter season.
Give us a call today at (804) 378-2900, and we can come to your home to conduct any maintenance called for before the season gets too bad or, in the event of an emergency situation, we can help you to clear up the circumstance as quickly as possible.
Header photo courtesy of June Marie on Flickr!
