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Winter Wear and Tear

May 07, 2020

Five common household items that REALLY don't like the cold...

When getting ready for any change in season there are so many things to remember! Spring and summer have us digging out our togs, prepping the boat, rods and waders for fishing season and getting a fresh wax on the surf board.  Autumn brings with it a whole new set of things to prepare for winter!  New Zealand temperatures and conditions can swing dramatically from season to season causing damage to outdoor and indoor tools and other common thing around the home.  

This is where winterising comes into play!  Preventing expensive equipment from freezing and corroding is a crucial part of preparing for the winter months ahead.   We are bringing you a list of things to remember in your preparation for the months ahead. 

Garden Hose

The garden hose is often overlooked in winter but can become damaged if any remaining liquid in hose freezes. Don’t assume that having a winter proof hose covering will protect from getting damaged. Its quick and easy to store it away and will save you the hassle and expense of buying a new one.
  • Detach it from the tap and remove any hose attachments/ sprinkler or spray gun. 
  • Lay out your hose and make sure to untangle any knots or kinks in it.
  • Drain all the water out of it completely - most of the water should have drained as you were laying out. 
  • When the water is completely drained, and you’ve straightened the hose completely, wind it into a circle and store inside your garage or storage unit.
Don’t forget to check the outside spigot of any remaining liquid that might freeze over. Use a dry washcloth and wipe opening.

Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is a very handy but often expensive piece of kit.  They often get the most use in the spring and summer when everyone is preparing their outdoor space for a season of BBQs and garden parties or other outdoor odd jobs.  Although some are electric, pressure washers are generally powered by an engine that runs on fuel.  Something people don't know is that Gasoline can become stale if left unused for a long period of time and cause damage.  

If you know that you wont be using your pressure washer over the winters then there are only a few easy step to take to prepare and store it correctly:
 1. Flush the system of any liquids.

2. Place the injection tube into a bucket of clean water and run the pressure washer on low pressure.

3. If you’re storing your pressure washer for the winter be sure to do an anti-freeze flush too. Then, turn off the engine and the main water supply. 

4. Turn the spray gun and squeeze the trigger to release trapped pressure and water. 
5. Then, lock the trigger on your spray gun. Once the unit cools down, disconnect any attached garden hoses. 

6. Drain the water from the hose, spray gun, and nozzle extension. 

7.  Make sure to wipe off the hose. When finally storing pressure washer, pull the recoil handle about six times to empty the pump of all liquids.  

Flower pots

For most garden and plant owners, the lead up to winter is frantic.  Preparing your much loved garden for the cold season is vital to its survival.  Especially for those in the the south island of New Zealand where the winter frosts can be much harsher than up north.  While delicate potted plants are brought inside and frost cloth is draped over trees, many overlook protecting their outdoor flower pots from the cold temperatures.   Moisture can cause a ceramic flower pot to crack during the cold winter season. Glazed ceramic pots still tend to crack if moisture is in them.

If you don’t want to worry about protecting your flower pots from cracking you might want to invest in double glazed pots to make sure they hold up in cold weather. However, the double glazed pots tend to be the most expensive. If you have any doubts about what kind of flower pots you have and if they will survive the winter, store them in a climate controlled unit or garage to keep your pots away from the elements.

Paint Tins and Spray Cans

Water based paints should never be stored in your garage during the winter, because like water, they will freeze. Water based paints must be stored at room temperature or in a climate controlled storage unit to remain usable. Oil based paints will not freeze as easily but to make sure they stay in good condition, try storing them in a cupboard inside your home or in a climate controlled storage unit.

Spray paints, aerosol spray cleaners, or air fresheners do tend to freeze but are just fine once returned to room temperature. To prevent them freezing, keep that at room temperature inside your home for accessibility or in a climate controlled storage unit. 
Whether you're moving, downsizing or just need a place to put some boxes, we look at how to find a storage facility that's right for you. We offer great value, secure storage units in Christchurch with flexible agreements which can dove-tail with your personal requirements.  Contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your storage needs, 
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