Getting the yard ready for winter: a checklist before the freeze

As soon as temperatures start to fall, thermostats are turned up inside but outdoor facilities are often forgotten about. Yet this is where Jack Frost can do real damage: water pipes, outdoor taps, water butts and delicate plants are all at risk when the weather turns cold. This article takes you through the work that needs to be done to make your garden safe for the winter season. 

Why you need to take action before a cold snap 

When the first frosts arrive, frost damage becomes a real risk outdoors. High-risk areas include systems used to transport water, such as outdoor taps, garden hoses, water butts or automated watering systems. If water is left in hoses or taps, it can turn to ice and expand, potentially causing significant damage. Delicate plants require protection or a place to overwinter, and leaves on paths and steps should be swept away to avoid creating a slip hazard. By tackling these jobs early on, you can protect your house and garden from damage and enjoy a relaxed start to the winter season.

Pipes, hoses and taps

• Shut off the water supply to your outdoor taps 
• Then fully drain your outdoor taps and their associated piping
• Empty your garden hoses, roll them up and store them in a frost-free place
• Shut off and drain any automated watering systems
• Empty water butts or make them frost-safe (e.g. with ice protection cushion)

Plants and garden

• Move delicate plants inside for overwintering
• Wrap container plants with fleece or jute sacking
• Apply a layer of leaves or mulch to beds if necessary
• Clean garden furniture and store in a safe place (e.g. under tarps, in the shed or cellar)

Keeping surfaces safe

• Clear away leaves from paths, drives and steps
• Apply non-slip coverings or inspect ones in place
• Get your gritting material (sand, chippings) ready

• Open bleeder vent (check for dirt, spider webs and insect debris, and clean carefully as required)
• Disconnect garden hose (disconnect the hose before the first frost – or you will not be able to drain it)
• Open the tap briefly (after unscrewing the hose, open the tap briefly so that the fitting itself can drain properly)
• No adapters or valves on the outlet (additional components can prevent proper drainage – use only original parts)
• Visual inspection (check seals, housing and connection points for signs of damage or leaks)

Vandalism and the unauthorised tapping of water from publicly accessible water connection fittings are a regular occurrence. For the tap owner, this is not only an annoyance but also an expense. The lockable COMFORT handle SECUR from SCHELL offers an effective solution here. The updated model offers an even greater level of convenience, as the open or closed state of the handle can be seen at a glance.

The COMFORT handle SECUR reliably protects outdoor tapping points from unauthorised use. The handle can be installed anywhere where tapping points are accessible to the (general) public – such as in schools and day nurseries, at sports venues, gardens or filling stations, or on campsites. Especially in educational institutions, which are used by many groups of people, installing the lockable handle on specific tapping points around the grounds offers a simple approach to protection and an effective safeguard against misuse.

Find out more about the POLAR II in our brochure