Ahhh, early fall. That time of year when both the temperature and the leaves drop. Sweaters and jackets come out of storage, iced coffees are swapped out for hot teas, and clothing lines try to convince everyone that plaid never went out of style.
It is that time of year when “fire prep” and “winter prep” overlap. We’re out here replacing flammable shrubbery with landscape fabric and gravel, while scheduling chimney cleans and contacting snowplow drivers.
There are the obvious things to do when preparing for winter: pull out the snow shovels, cover the porch furniture, wrap pipes, and stock up on hot cocoa and mittens. After a few turns around the sun and a several mishaps, I’ve discovered more winter prep tips. My winter misadventures can be your ounce of prevention.
A honeybee prepares for winter by gathering pollen from a rabbitbrush.
I learned about ice dams when water flowed down our walls and flooded a desk — soaking every paper product atop said desk. Ice dams form when a layer of snow on the roof melts and becomes trapped under a heavy snowl oad before freezing overnight. The melt water flows into small crevices of the roof and expands when freezing — creating a larger path for meltwater to flow into the home and cause considerable damage to walls, ceilings, fascia, and more.
To prevent ice dams: thoroughly remove all detritus from gutters and downspouts. Keep gutters and down spouts clear of snow and icicles. If an ice dam forms despite your best efforts, purchase a box of nylon knee-highs from Ulrichs and fill those socks with rock salt. Toss the socks perpendicular across the ice dam, hanging over the edge of the roof. The rock salt melts the ice, forming a channel for the snowmelt to leave the roof, dripping off the sock.
More than once, a tree or tree limb has cracked under snow and blocked our driveway. I now keep a folding handsaw in the car, and also check for dead or weakened trees this time of year, removing any hazard limbs that might fall after a heavy snow.
One important winter tip I’ve learned is to keep multiple pairs of gloves in your car. Once I walked out of the door with just one pair of gloves. After sliding into a snow drift and shoveling my way out, my gloves were completely soaked and useless. Now I always keep spare pairs in multiple coat pockets and stashed in the car.
After both fire and ice prepping your home, head on down to the Paterodise Festival. This free community event is on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. until after midnight. Enjoy good food, community, art and music all day long. Three different stages in Pateros will host over 20 musicians and bands. Stages are located at SweetRiver Bakery, Pateros Pavilion, and Kodi’s Noon Saloon. I have it on good authority that Kodi’s makes one of the best bacon cheeseburgers this side of the Cascades. Organizers expect a typical windy day along the Columbia and will provide free kites to color and fly. More information can be found on the Paterodise Facebook page.
