Prepare Your Outdoor Living Space for Winter with These Five Steps

Preparing your outdoor living space for winter is not something you will accomplish in an afternoon. But, with the help of this guide, it doesn't have to be hard.  

A successful outdoor living space winter shutdown can be accomplished easily over a few days or a weekend when you know how to plan your preparation properly.  

The last thing you want is to shut down your outdoor living space after winter is already upon you.  

Now is the perfect time to prepare your outdoor living space for a winter shutdown. Grab your favorite fleece, put on some warm gloves, and let's get to work! 

This post will take you over the process of shutting down your outdoor living space for the winter. 

Five Steps to Closing Your Outdoor Living Space this Winter 

We all know just how harsh and bitter these Cincinnati winters can get. Your outdoor design and build will not stand up well to the frigid frost of winter year in and year out.  

Follow the steps below to ensure the long-term health of your outdoor living spaces. 

Clean All Your Surfaces and Appliances 

Before you do anything else, you should clean every outdoor living surface.  

The spring and summer have likely left your furniture, appliances, and surfaces dirty from dust and debris. Make sure they are clean going into the winter.  

Rent a power washer and give your patio, deck, walkways, and other hard surfaces a thorough cleaning. Next, wipe down any countertops and tables.  

Last, scrub down appliances like grills, stoves, refrigerators, and more. These appliances can easily pick up dirt and grime without you realizing it and they need to be cleaned if you want them to be in top condition next spring. 

Shut Down Your Outdoor Kitchen 

You may have time to have one last Autumn cookout before winter is here to stay. Just remember to bring a scarf and earmuffs! 

When it’s time to close down your outdoor kitchen for the season, be sure to cover your grill and stovetop with a weatherproof cover and take in any outdoor furniture. In addition, be sure to take anything out of your outside refrigerator. You may need to cover your fridge depending on the model or materials used.  

You might consider storing your appliances in a shed or garage this winter should you have the space available. 

Be sure that your sensitive appliances are protected from harsh weather this winter to ensure they have a long lifespan.  

Disconnect Utilities and Prepare Your Plumbing 

Disconnect any outdoor utilities you have to keep your power costs low and prevent damage to water and electrical lines.  

Most importantly, shut off water to these outdoor appliances and drain any water left in the pipes to prevent freezing or burst pipes this winter.  

Use compressed air to force out excess water and leave water valves open during the winter to drain any excess water that does accumulate.  

Check Out Your Nooks and Crannies 

Getting down to the finer details. Check your nooks and crannies for debris build-up, weeds, or other potential red flags.  

This goes double for pavers, and joints in structures like pergolas and gazebos.  

If you notice your pavers or joints are developing suspiciously wide gaps, or plant life is growing, you need to fill those spaces in with sand, caulk, or another protective agent.  

Clear Your Gutters 

Be sure to take this step before it gets too cold!  

Make sure that the Fall didn’t leave an excess of leaves clogged in your gutter. Gutter clogs can cause hazardous ice drips or excessive icicles that will cause you problems later this winter. 

If you hope to avoid a burdensome (and slippery) cleanup this winter, unclog your drains now.  

Outdoor Experts Give You the Outdoor Living Space of Your Dreams 

Preparing your outdoor living space for winter doesn’t have to be difficult.  

With a few minutes of planning, you can get the job done on a weekend or just a few days.  

It is important to protect the amenities you have. But, if it’s time for an upgrade, the only place to go is Cincinnati’s finest outdoor design and build company, Outdoor Experts.  

At Outdoor Experts we have what it takes to turn your outdoor living dreams into a reality.  

If you are looking to upgrade your backyard in Warren County, Hamilton County, Clermont County, Butler County, or Northern Kentucky, then reach out to Outdoor Experts today!