Last Updated on July 24, 2022 by
It is essential to prepare your patio and backyard for the cold season. It is one of the best things you can do if you intend to protect your precious items from being affected by the cold and moisture that comes with the weather. Below are a few tips that work for homeowners looking to winterize their backyard and patio.
Table of Contents
Clean and Cover your Gazebo and Surrounding Area
Before winter comes, make sure to clean the backyard and patio thoroughly. It’s best to do so before covering up anything. For instance, your gazebo should be cleaned with soap and water and allowed to sundry before any further action is taken. Clean to remove stains and prevent the buildup of mold and mildew, which is often triggered by excess moisture. As such, make sure to let the area sundry before covering it.
Covering is important as it prevents the harsh winter weather from damaging the gazebo and any furniture or other items in the gazebo. It also may prevent the entry of bugs and insects that may destroy the cushions and furniture. However, before using such a gazebo covering, make sure to clean and remove food particles that are likely to attract such insects. Another benefit of leaving everything to sundry completely before covering is you will help prevent mold formation.
Store Items Indoors
If you cannot cover the gazebo, you are advised to take everything you can indoors. If there are any items in the backyard or on the patio that you cannot cover, it’s advisable to bring them indoors or place them in sturdy storage shed. Leaving these items out in inclement weather will lead to damage and may force you to incur extra costs to replace them once the cold season is over.
Some everyday items people may have in their backyard or patio like furniture, cushions, grills, gardening tools, hammocks, umbrellas, and small appliances should be paid extra attention to when preparing for winter. Store them in an empty room or the garage if you do not have an enclosed shed. Ensure the storage area is leak-proof and dry, especially when storing patio furniture.
Focus on Protection
You should find a way to prevent excess water from the rains and melting snow from flooding the patio and backyard. Consider cleaning any patio drains to avoid potential blockage. Besides that, you may want to consider using waterproof tarps and covers to protect your outdoor furniture if you do not have a shed or have no space to store them indoors. Tarps are great for protecting furniture and other items. Be sure to secure them properly, though.
Prioritize Repair and Maintenance
Naturally, the winter season often wreaks havoc on backyards and patios. In such cases, be sure to repair parts that seem to be chipped, cracked, or broken, especially concrete, brick, and stone patios. If you have a wooden deck, you should consider replacing rotting wooden boards, fastening screws and railings, and re-leveling stairs, among other things.
To make the repairs worthwhile, make sure to seal it off with the right products. The point is to ensure that everything is dry by the time winter comes. This way, the impact of the harsh weather won’t be immense on your patio as it would have been before repairs.
Read more: Maintenance and Safety Tips for Your Patio Furniture
