Winter in the High Country of North Carolina can be both perfect for outdoor activities and unforgiving with temperatures remaining below freezing for weeks at a time. Thankfully the crew here at Mountaineer Maintenance have lived in Boone for decades and know how to prepare your lawn, your home, your roof, and more as the freezing temperatures approach this winter. Let’s take a look!
Prep Outdoor Systems for Winter
Whether you have sprinkling system or use a hose to water your lawn during the warm months of the year, you need to prepare you outdoor water systems for the winter. We touched on this in a previous post in easy winter lawncare tips in Boone. Check out our list here for a few additional steps on preparing your outdoor water systems for winter:
- Drain and disconnect all hoses. Wind them up and store them for the winter. Cover exposed exterior spigots.
- Winterize your pool or pond
- Shut off your automatic sprinkling and irrigation systems. Alternatively, you can set your system to “Rain” mode
- Shut off the supply valve to your outdoor water system
- Completely empty the sprinkling system of water using a manual or automatic drain valve.
Pro Tip: As temperatures in Boone and the High Country drop below freezing during the winter, consider adding insulation to pipes that are exposed or above ground to prevent bursting.
Pro Tip #2: To ensure your sprinkler system doesn’t go off unexpectedly, you can turn off the circuit breaker to your control panel and/or disconnect the wires.
Protect Plants and Shrubs
Do your yard and plants a favor and protect it during the winter. This includes securing your plants and shrubs properly for the winter. Insulate and shelter the foliage closest to your home from falling ice and snow by erecting a reusable A-frame structure made from 2x4s and exterior plywood. Tall and narrow greenery anywhere on your property could benefit from a simple twine wrap around the middle to keep individual branches from breaking under the weight of heavy snow accumulation. But snow isn’t the only winter force to reckon with: Don’t forget to protect small shrubs from strong gusts of wind by wrapping them with burlap and stapling the material to stakes. For more tips on protecting your plants, shrubs and lawn, take a look at our tips for protecting your lawn before a freeze.
Trim Trees
While we see anywhere on average 18-24 inches of snow in Boone during the winter, the real issue for trees and branches on your property is ice accumulation.
Large branches that loom over your roof or powerlines could cause expensive…and dangerous…problems if they become overburdened with snow/ice accumulation. It is possible that these branches will snap due to the excess weight and severely damage whatever lies beneath.
Pro Tip: Trimming trees and high tree branches can be dangerous in itself. To ensure that tree and branch removal is done well, look for a tree removal service in Boone to get the job done right and safely.
Seal Cracks and Crevices
When it comes to water, if there’s a way, it will find it. What this means is that if you have cracks in your walkways, driveway, foundation, any concrete surfaces on your property, water will make its way into it. The damage happens in the winter when this water freezes. When water freezes, it expands and can cause serious damage to the structures mentioned above.
Don’t settle for simply putting a “band-aid” on the cracks with expandable foams or sealant. The best way to ensure that these cracks are leak proof, and ultimately prevent damage during freezing is to get them re-sealed and repaired by a professional.
Mountaineer Maintenance: Winter Lawn and Home Care Specialists in Boone
At Mountaineer Maintenance, we know how to help your lawn, home, and property not only survive, but thrive during the winter months. Whether you’re a full time resident or have a second home in Boone, Mountaineer Maintenance is the only choice for property services, lawncare, and retaining walls in Boone.