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JUNE TIPS
Summertime is finally here! Here are some additional home maintenance tasks to consider in June:
Check your outdoor faucets and hose bibs for leaks or damage: Repair or replace any damaged parts to help prevent water waste and costly repairs.
Check and repair any damaged or loose railings or handrails on your deck or porch: This can help prevent accidents and improve the safety of your outdoor spaces.
Test your home's emergency preparedness kit: Make sure that it is fully stocked with supplies such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and first aid supplies.
Inspect and clean your outdoor lighting fixtures: This can help improve the appearance of your home and ensure that your outdoor spaces are well-lit for safety.
Clean your grill and any outdoor furniture: A dirty grill can cause flare-ups and create a fire hazard. Cleaning your grill regularly can help prevent this. Similarly, dirty outdoor furniture can harbor mold, mildew, and other harmful substances, which can be harmful if ingested or come into contact with your skin.
Powerwash windows and siding: Power washing can help remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants that can cause wear and tear on your windows and siding. By removing these substances, you can help extend the lifespan of your windows and siding and prevent costly repairs. Power washing can also help remove mold, mildew, and other types of contaminants that can be harmful to your health if ingested or come into contact with your skin.
Clean and add sealant to wood fences: Cleaning and sealing your wood fence can help protect it from damage caused by water, UV radiation, and other types of wear and tear. A well-maintained wood fence can add value to your home. By cleaning and sealing your fence regularly, you can help increase its value and improve the overall appearance of your home.
Stay cool in the summer months! Happy home maintenance!
MAY TIPS
May is a good time to continue performing basic home maintenance tasks and begin to prepare your home for summertime fun! Here are a few ideas for tasks to consider adding to your to-do list:
Check your deck or patio: Look for any signs of damage, and repair or replace as needed. This can help ensure that your outdoor spaces are safe and ready to use.
Test your home's smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Make sure these detectors are working properly and replace the batteries if needed.
Trim tree branches: Overgrown trees can pose a safety hazard if their branches hang over power lines, roofs, or walkways. Overgrown trees can also put pressure on structures such as roofs, walls, and foundations, which can cause damage over time. By trimming trees, you can help prevent this type of damage from occurring.
Clean clothes dryer exhaust: A dirty exhaust can be a fire hazard due to the built up lint and other debris built up that can come into contact with the heating element. The build up can also cause the dryer not to work to its full potential and cause it to use an amount of energy that is more than necessary.
Oil garage door tracks: Garage door tracks can get dirty and corroded over time, which can cause the door to stick or not open and close smoothly.Garage door tracks that are not properly maintained may wear out more quickly than well-maintained tracks.
Add fresh mulch around trees and flower beds: Mulch can help to improve the health of the soil by adding nutrients and helping to retain moisture. It can also help to suppress weeds, which can compete with plants for water and nutrients. Mulch also increases the overall curb appeal of your home.
By completing these tasks your home is ready for the summer months ahead! Happy Home Maintenance!
APRIL TIPS
April is a great time to perform some basic home maintenance tasks to keep your home in good condition and ensure that everything is running smoothly. Here are a few ideas for tasks to consider adding to your to-do list:
Clean your air conditioning unit: Before you start using your air conditioning for the season, it's a good idea to clean the unit and check for any damage. This can help improve the efficiency of the unit and extend its lifespan.
Clean and maintain your lawn equipment: If you have a lawn mower, trimmer, or other equipment, make sure it's clean and in good working order before you start using it for the season.
Check sidewalks and driveways for cracks: If cracks in driveways and sidewalks are left unrepaired, they can get bigger over time and may even cause the surface to collapse. By repairing cracks as soon as they are noticed, you can help prevent more serious damage from occurring. By repairing cracks as soon as possible it can also prevent the need to replace the whole area costing more financially.
Check and repair any interior wall damage: Besides improving the appearance of a wall there are much larger reasons to repair any wall damage. If wall damage is left unrepaired, it can get worse over time and may even cause the wall to collapse. By repairing wall damage as soon as it is noticed, you can help prevent more serious damage from occurring.
Test your irrigation system: If you have an irrigation system, make sure it's working properly and make any necessary repairs. Irrigation systems that are not working properly may lead to higher than necessary water usage. Thus causing higher water bills and water waste.
Clean all ceiling fans and reverse counter-clockwise: By cleaning and turning the fans counterclockwise, you can help improve air circulation and reduce energy consumption. In general, it's a good idea to clean your ceiling fans and turn them counterclockwise at least once a year, although more frequent cleaning may be necessary if you use the fans frequently or if you live in an area with a lot of dust.
By performing these tasks regularly, you can help keep your home in good condition and avoid costly repairs down the road.
Happy Home Maintenance!
MARCH TIPS
March is a great time to perform some basic home maintenance tasks to keep your home in good condition and ensure that everything is running smoothly. Here are a few ideas for tasks to consider adding to your to-do list:
1. Inspect your roof: As the snow and ice start to melt, it's a good time to take a look at your roof and check for any missing, damaged, or loose shingles. You should also look for any signs of water damage, such as discoloration or staining. If you notice any issues, it's best to have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
2. Clean your gutters: As the winter weather comes to an end, it's a good idea to clear out any leaves, debris, or ice that may have accumulated in your gutters. This will help prevent water damage and ensure that your gutters are functioning properly.
3. Perform a home energy audit: An energy audit can help you identify areas where you can improve the energy efficiency of your home, which can save you money on energy bills.
4. Test your sump pump: If you have a sump pump in your basement, make sure it's working properly to prevent water damage. This is especially important if you live in an area prone to heavy rainfall or flooding.
5. Clean all window screens and replace any ones that are damaged: Damaged or missing screens can make temperature control more difficult. By replacing screens that are damaged or missing, you can help improve the energy efficiency, insect control, appearance, and safety of your home.
6.Clean and maintain garbage disposals: In general, it's a good idea to clean and maintain your garbage disposal at least once a month, although more frequent cleaning may be necessary if you use the disposal frequently or if you tend to put a lot of tough or fibrous foods down the drain. Not only does dirty garbage disposals cause odor issues but it can also cause issues with properly shredding the food you place in it. This can then lead to not only clogs in the pipes but also causing the pipes to burst or leak.
By performing these tasks regularly, you can help keep your home in good condition and avoid costly repairs down the road. Happy Home Maintenance!
Happy Home Maintenance!
FEBRUARY TIPS
Welcome to February, a month where the winter weather is starting to ease up and we can start thinking about getting our homes in tip-top shape. As the temperature starts to rise and the snow starts to melt, it's a good time to focus on home maintenance tasks that will help keep your home running smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few tasks to consider tackling this month:
Clean and inspect your furnace. As the winter months come to a close, it's a good idea to give your furnace a thorough cleaning and inspection. This will help ensure that it's running efficiently and safely, and can help extend its lifespan. If you're not comfortable completing this task yourself, consider hiring a professional to do it for you.
Check and replace all caulking around showers and bathtubs. By checking the caulking around showers and tubs regularly, you can help ensure that your bathroom is safe, waterproof, and energy-efficient. If you notice any gaps, cracks, or other damage to the caulking, it's important to repair or replace it as soon as possible.
Clean exhaust fans in all bathrooms. Dirty exhaust fans have to work harder to remove moisture and odors from the room. Therefore not only does cleaning exhaust fans improve efficiency but it improves the air quality as well. Most importantly cleaning exhaust fans can decrease the likelihood of a fire. Lint and other debris can accumulate in the fan and potentially come into contact with the heating element, which can ignite.
Check gutters for any ice dams and icicles. By regularly checking your gutters for dams and icicles and taking care of any issues as needed, you can help protect your home from water damage and improve its overall appearance.
Check your water heater. Drain a few gallons of water from the bottom of your water heater to remove any sediment that may have built up. This will help extend the life of your water heater and improve its efficiency.
By completing these tasks, you can help ensure that your home is in good condition and running smoothly. If you have any concerns or need assistance with any of these tasks, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional.
Happy Home Maintenance!
JANUARY TIPS
Welcome to the new year! As we start a new chapter, it's important to make sure our homes are in good condition. To help you get started, here are some home maintenance tasks to consider tackling in January:
- Check your heating system. With the colder months upon us, it's important to make sure your heating system is working properly. This includes checking the thermostat, changing the air filter, and cleaning any debris from around the furnace.
Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure that all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order. Test the batteries and replace them if necessary. It's also a good idea to check the expiration date on your detectors and replace them if they are past their useful life.
Inspect your windows and doors. Look for any drafts, damaged seals, or other issues that may be causing heat loss. If you notice any problems, consider sealing or replacing the windows or doors to improve energy efficiency.
Check your home's exterior. Look for any cracks or holes in the siding, and seal them up to keep out drafts and pests. Check for any ice dams or icicles in the gutters.
Clean your refrigerator coils. This increases the lifespan of your refrigerator overall. Not only does cleaning your refrigerator coils improve your energy efficiency and cooling performance, but most importantly it reduces the risk of a fire. The coils on a refrigerator can become clogged with dust and lint, which can increase the risk of a fire. By cleaning the coils regularly, you can reduce this risk.
Clean the inside of your oven. A dirty interior of an oven can cause food to cook unevenly. Therefore by cleaning your oven you can improve the cooking efficiency and make future spills easier to clean up. This also improves safety and reduces the risk of a fire. If the inside of your oven is dirty, it can be a fire hazard. Grease and food splatters can ignite, especially if they come into contact with the heating element. By keeping your oven clean, you can reduce the risk of a fire.
By tackling these tasks now, you can ensure your home is in good shape for the rest of the year.
Happy Home Maintenance!