It’s no secret that forecasting the weather in this area is as easy as predicting when the Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl. That’s why we need to be prepared for anything and everything…especially in the winter when snow and ice can quickly bring things to a halt…even through March. Hopefully, these tips will help us stay on guard and get us to the end zone of winter.
Prepare Your Home
Set a Snow Removal Schedule
Don’t wait until the snow ends before starting to clear your driveway and sidewalks. Try to shovel every two hours and stay on top of the accumulation situation.
When shoveling, remember these tips:
- Stretch before starting.
- Wear layers.
- Lift with your knees, not your back.
- Don’t try to shovel too much at one time.
- Start in the middle of the driveway and work your way out.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks every 15 minutes.
Make Your Own Ice Melt
While purchased ice melt or rock salt works best, you CAN make your own solution with household ingredients. Combine 1 teaspoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon of rubbing alcohol, and 1/2 gallon of water in a bucket and pour the mixture where you need it most.
Sprinkle Sand Or Cat Litter On Slick Areas
While neither sand nor cat litter will melt the ice, they do provide an easy, cheap and quick solution that helps with traction.
Use Cooking Spray
Spraying cooking spray on your shovel will help you move through the snow quickly and prevent it from sticking to your shovel. To avoid a mess, just remember to wipe the ice shovel tool down before storing it in the garage.
Cover Pathways and Driveways Before Snow Begins
If you really want to be proactive, place a plastic tarp over the exposed sidewalks, walkways, driveway, and your car if it’s outside. Ensure you leave a grommet exposed, so you can easily grab onto the tarp. You also might want to check the tarps frequently and empty the snow to keep it from building.
Take Care Of the Animals
If you have farm animals, make sure they have a safe place to rest and that you have enough food on hand for them. Any indoor pets should be kept in a warm shelter, preferably indoors.
Prepare Your Vehicle
If at all possible, stay at home. However, if you must get out, be sure your ride is ready to safely take you wherever you need to go.
- Check the brakes, windshield wipers, and coolant levels.
- Place something like a piece of cardboard between the windshield and the wiper blades.
- Make sure your tires are full and check the tread. Anything less than 4/32 of an inch will cause sliding.
- Check the tire tread. Tire traction decreases dramatically once your tires are worn beyond 4/32″.
- Your coolant level should read .4 volts or less on a digital meter. Anything greater means you might need a new radiator, water pump, or heater core.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, food, hats, glove, a flashlight, bottled water, cat litter, a shovel, an ice scraper, jumper cables, a first aid kit, and chargers.
- Inspect your battery as winter weather can be tough on them.
- Lubricate window tracks to prevent freezing water from seeping in and creating drag when you try to open them.
- Lube your door locks.
- Use winter wiper blades to prevent snow and ice from sticking or packing.
For all of the latest information on our local real estate market in Southwestern Indiana, you can always trust the professionals at F.C. Tucker Emge. Our agents have superior training and resources at their disposal to better educate you about the road to homeownership. Even if you are 6-12 months (or more!) out from making a change, there is a lot to learn about the home buying and selling process, and our agents can help you learn what you need to know so that you can be confident in your decision and have a smooth experience when the time comes. Let’s Talk!
