It’s “snow” joke; winter is just around the corner, and being prepared for it now means saving yourself a headache of problems later. It’s also a good time to do some fall cleaning in general since, once snow’s on the ground and the cold is making your nose run more than a marathon runner, it’s much more difficult to clean your deck or window screen in Kelowna. So what should you do to prep for a Kelowna winter? Read on to find out.
While it might not seem like it at first glance, it’s highly likely the window screens on your Kelowna home have picked up a ton of filth in the time you’ve had them up. Cleaning them now can help improve the lifespan of the screen. Typically you should clean your screens once before winter and again in the spring. Use warm soapy water and run a clean rag over the screen to wipe off any dirt then rinse them off with a hose and let them dry.
Speaking of letting in natural light, this is a great time to clean the windows letting in said light. You’ll get the best results using warm soapy water and coating the window with it using a window cleaning mop and then cleaning it in long horizontal single strokes using a squeegee head. Usually, it’s best to wash all your windows twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.
While it’s fairly common to rake up leaves and pine needles, some people opt to mulch up theirs instead. It comes down to how coated in leaves or pine needles your lawn is. Is there barely enough green to know you have a lawn underneath? Probably a good idea to rake it up, bag it, and make a trip to the dump.
However, if you have only a few leaves or less per square foot, consider mulching them up using either a regular or mulching lawn mower. Doing so can provide another source of natural nitrogen for your lawn. However, pine needles will not produce the same benefits, so it’s important to bag them up to prevent inhibiting grass growth and prevent mold diseases.
Your deck has to endure a lot, with the weather cooling and heating it often, in addition to having to endure the elements. Now is a great time to clean up the dirt and grime that has likely built up on the surface. To clean it you can either use traditional soap and water, or for more caked-on grime, most store-bought deck cleaners can get the job done. Make sure to roll up any window screens or large opening screens that are nearby to prevent them from getting damaged by the cleaners, and to get access to clean the areas behind the screens.
Once your deck is cleaned and dry it’s also a good idea to seal out moisture with a deck sealant. To do two jobs in one, you can do sealing and staining at the same time. These are available in a range of colours sure to give your deck the new look you want. Run a padded brush over the wood, evenly distributing the stain. Once dried, you’re sure to have a deck that looks professional, modern, and stands out.
These activities are not what many would describe as a “fun” use of your time, but it helps you to avoid costly repairs and replacing unnecessary parts of your home. Trust us, you don’t want to start your spring with thousands of dollars in repair or replacements of your window, deck, or lawn. By performing the necessary yard work and cleaning instructions above, you should be all set to go for the winter months.
