Winter Problems & Preventative Maintenance: Part 4

Part 4 

Welcome back to the winter maintenance and preventative options that help you save you energy, money and time. In case you missed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3 check them out and don’t forget to visit HomeFaxInspect.com and NationwideHomeFax.com when you’re done. 

Stow your Lawn Mower

As your lawn mower sits in your garage or shed through the winter season, remaining fuel will decompose, varnishing the carburetor and making it difficult to start your small engine in the spring. According to John Deere, these preventative steps can be taken: If you’ve added stabilizer to your fuel to keep it fresh longer, fill the gas tank to the top with more stabilized fuel and run the engine briefly to allow for circulation. If not, wait until the tank is nearly empty from use and run the engine to use up the remaining fuel. Your owner’s manual may also have information about winter and cold-weather maintenance.

Prune Trees or Shrubs in Late Winter

Although common misconceptions have led most people to trim their trees and shrubs in the fall, horticulturalists advise waiting to prune until late winter for most plants after they’ve been long dormant and just before spring growth begins. One exception is large trees and branches that need to be trimmed continuously away from power lines in case of heavy wind and winter storm damage. For information regarding specific vegetation, consult with master gardeners or horticulturists in your local area and state. 

Sump Pump Testing

Slowly pour several gallons of water into your sump pit, every few months, to gauge whether your sump pump is turning on properly. The average sump pump lifespan is approximately ten years, and this maintenance is even more important during a long dry season or shortly before a rainy season.  

Check back for Part 5 of winter maintenance tips and preventative options brought to you by Home Fax Inspections and Nationwide Home Fax.