How to Prepare for a Tahoe / Truckee Winter
With these snow flurries, we can’t help but daydream about deep powder days. Winter is one of our favorite seasons, and while snow promises tons of FUN, there is a lot of prep work that goes into getting ready for snow. As a homeowner in the Lake Tahoe / Truckee area, you don’t want to be caught flat footed when our first storm rolls in.
Honestly, our best piece of advice? DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT DUMPS! The snow “panic” will set in and winter gloves, snow tires and snow melt will not be on the shelves. Here’s how we recommend preparing for winter in the Lake Tahoe / Truckee area:
Get Your Firewood Ordered
There’s nothing better than a roaring fire when the snow quietly falls outside. Not only does this add to your ambiance, it also serves a purpose. Most houses in our region are designed around these main heat sources and can help save on your energy bill. Call your local wood supplier to get stackin’. We always call Kosich Firewood. They deliver direct to your home and offer a mix of wood types so you can keep your fire blazing all winter long. They'll even stack your wood for an additional fee.
Get a Snowblower or Snow Removal Contract Signed
You might have heard the stories from longtime locals recalling those 20” overnight storms and they’re all true. Our region can receive massive snowfall and while that shovel (and your kids) move snow, you need something a bit more serious. Never underestimate the investment of a good snowblower in our region. Almost all homeowners in our area have one, and for good reason. They move snow quickly so you can get on with your day -- whether that’s dropping the kids off at school or heading to the mountain for a powder day, stress free. If you’re not here to manage the snow on your own, it’s always a good idea to get a snow removal contract going. Who do you call? That all depends on where you live. Give us a call, we’d be happy to fill you in on who covers your area.
Have Shovels at the Ready
We love a good deck hangout during the spring and summer months, so it’s important to prepare and protect these outdoor spaces for winter. When you head to Ace Hardware this fall, make sure you have a couple shovels for your property. It’s always good to have a handful of shovels that are dedicated for the driveway and one that is dedicated to your back deck area. We probably don’t need to remind you of this, but make sure you store away the deck heaters and patio furniture. While they’re made to withstand some weather, our storms can dump multiple feet of snow and it can be challenging to keep up with at times. Don’t let your beautiful furniture get destroyed. Store it away or tarp it for the winter!
Clean Your Chimney!
One winter task that often gets overlooked is cleaning your chimney. It’s important to clean your chimney after every winter season -- yes, every season. Make it a habit to schedule this every spring or fall. Contact Billy with Chimney Chiefs in Truckee and tell him TEG sent you!
Be a Safe Winter Driver
Pretty much every vehicle you see around North Lake Tahoe & Truckee is either 4WD or AWD - hence all of the Subaru’s and Toyota’s. This is for good reason. You need solid traction and your vehicle will only drive as good as your tires. You really do need good snow tires and this is the time to start thinking about that purchase. We love going to Stone’s Tires in Truckee. They have great options and can quickly install once your tires arrive. Don’t delay on this one! Get this job done before our first big snowfall!