Getting Your Home Ready For Winter

It's that time of year again, the leaves are changing, the temperatures of the hot summer are beginning to cool off, and the days are beginning to feel shorter. These are all signs that it's the fall season; they are also signs that it's that time of year again when homeowners need to begin to prepare their homes for winter. The following are some suggestions of things you should put on your "to do" list before old man winter comes knocking on your home's door.

If your home is equipped with an air conditioning unit, it is very important to cover it up with a heavy tarp or some other type of waterproof covering. This will prevent moisture from entering the unit and causing rust or damage to the electrical wiring that allows your air conditioner to operate smoothly during those hot summer months.

Another important chore around the home is cleaning up all of those leaves that are covering your lawn. This is not only done to make sure your house looks nice, but it also allows moisture and sunlight to be able to penetrate you grass making sure that your lawn comes back thicker and greener next spring. The usual method cleaning up leaves is with a rake but you'll probably find a quicker and easier method is using your lawn mower. Not only with your lawn mower suck up the leaves, but as the leaves go through the blade they will be mulched up so they will take up less space in your garbage can.

One last tip before you bundle up for the winter, make sure you get on your roof and get those rain gutters cleaned out so that as the snow melts it has a clean run off path. This will prevent any unwanted flooding and save you money down the road. In the spring when the snow is melting and big rain storms come brewing in, it will be well worth your time to prevent those floods.

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Lawn Mower Care

Every year millions of dollars are spent on lawn and garden equipment from lawn mowers to tillers. These tools allow the home owner to make their property look its best and get the work done quickly and easily. Although buying these items seem expensive as a first time homeowner, it's good to know how to maintain them. Most home owners will purchase a large collection of lawn and garden equipment over the first five years of owning their home which typically represents a sizable investment. In order for you, the home owner, to protect your investment and ensure that next year when you reach for that weed whacker that it runs its best it's very important to take the proper steps to winterize your gas powered equipment.

Any equipment with an engine, from your gas powered blower to you lawnmower, should be winterized in a similar fashion. First, wash the equipment and clean off any dirt or debris followed by thoroughly drying the equipment to prevent rust. Second, drain the gas from the reservoir either by pouring it out or running the piece of equipment till empty. (Please note that you may also purchase fuel additives that may be mixed in the reservoir if you prefer). Third, remove the spark plug and place a few drops of oil into the cylinder and then pull the starter cord slowly three or four times to lightly coat the piston. This step prevents rust from forming over the winter months. And finally, look through the socket where you removed your plug and have someone pull the starter cord slowly until the piston is at top dead center (when the piston is closets to the opening of the socket). Replace your spark plug and store your piece of equipment with piece of mind that your investment will be protected over the cold winter months.

Phoenix Countertops

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, the element that can make the biggest difference is the countertop. Now available to homeowners are an array of colors, products, and price tags in choosing a countertop. The buzz word on everyone's mind is: g-r-a-n-i-t-e. Sure everyone would love to have a granite countertop in their kitchen, but not everyone can afford it. Let's look at some different surfaces and you can decide which works best for you.
Granite (shown above): It's beautiful and it comes in around 3000 colors. It's durable. Granite will last a lifetime. It also adds value to your home. It's expensive (around $75-$125 per square foot).

Engineered Stone (shown here): Made of 93% quartz, this countertop is a fabulous alternative to granite. Offered in more colors than granite, this engineered stone is about the same in price as granite. The material is heavier than granite, and needs professional installation. Some of the brands that offer this stone are: Caesarstone, Zodiac, Silestone, Technistone, Legacy, and Cambria.

Solid Surface (shown here): Ever heard of Avonite, Corian, or Swanstone? Those brands offer a solid surface countertop that comes in a variety of colors. It's smooth and sleek, but susceptible to heat. Any scratches can be sanded out. This material tends to be a little less expensive than granite.

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Winter Potting

Potting your own plants in the fall takes some creativity and planning. This is a good idea if you live in a cold climate that will kill off your favorite summer plants. Store them in your home near windows to get the natural sun light needed. Stay tuned to get specific dates on when to start seeding for spring time flowers. I know it's crazy to already be thinking about the spring, but this it what it takes to keep your gardens looking fresh each year.

Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird feeders can add a lot of personality to your home. I absolutely love to be able to look out the kitchen window and watch these fabulous birds.
Bee balm, hollyhock, hibiscus, trumpet honeysuckle, clematis, impatiens, phlox and fuchsias are some of the common flowers that will attract hummingbirds to your garden. But hanging a hummingbird feeder where you can easily see it is probably the best way to observe the hummingbirds in action.


Making the hummingbird food is very easy. For every cup of water, add in 1/4 c of sugar. This seems to be the closest sweetness and consistency of the nectar naturally found in flowers.
For more home and garden tips, also read Phoenix Remodeling ideas site.