Posts Tagged ‘Home Maintenance’

Fall is here. With the fall weather comes shorter days and colder temperatures. Before the very cold weather comes, it is important to start thinking about a fall home maintenance routine.

1. Trees and Shrubs

While trees and shrubs add value to the property value, it is important to keep up with them, especially as fall turns to winter. For shrubs, it is a good time to trim off any extra growth and get it into the proper shape.

2. Check for Drafts

Drafts can cause major heating issues, which lead to large heating bills.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat loss through windows accounts for 25-30% of heating energy use. By adding weather tripping or covering the windows can be a cost-effective way of cutting down on heating costs.  If you have old windows, use special weather plastic and cover the windows. This will keep the cold from coming in and the heat from going out.

3. Storm Windows

As the weather changes and the windows are opened less, it is time to take the screens out of the windows and put in the storm windows. This adds another layer of weatherproofing to your home.

4. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that is a byproduct of burning oil or natural gas. It can be deadly if left unchecked and if people breathe it is. A carbon monoxide detector costs a few dollars and can save a life. The alarm will sound once the levels get too high. If your house does not already have one and you burn natural gas or oil for heat, it is vital to have a carbon monoxide detector on every level.

5. Replace Batteries

At least two times a year, it is important to change the batteries in the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. If you plan to do it when it is time to change the clock in the spring and in the fall, then you will always have fresh batteries in case the detectors need to do their job. Of course, if for some reason the batteries in the smoke detector or the carbon monoxide detectors start to sounds the change battery alarm, be sure to change it right away.

6. Clean or Replace Gutters and Downspouts

After the leaves have fallen from the trees, clean the gutters and downspouts. If the gutters are clogged, the rain waters can leave a pool of water on the roof and can cause damage to the roof or siding. Clear away anything from the base of the downspout so the water will drain away from the house.

7. Winterizing a Sprinkler System

With the cold weather, any water left in the sprinkler system will freeze. This can cause damage to the sprinkler system. It is best to have the system blown out each year. You can pay an irrigation company about $125 a year to blow out the system. You can also do it yourself using an air compressor. No matter how powerful your compressor system is, it can not do the whole sprinkler system at once. Do each section or zone in order to get the water out.

8. Check the Roof

Be sure to check the roof for any leaks or rotten places. No one wants to find that there is an issue with the roof during a snowstorm. If there are issues with the roof, get it fixed before the weather changes. Check the shingles. If any of the shingles are curling, cracking or buckling, it is time to replace them. If there is a lot that is damaged, it might be time to replace the while roof.

9. Get Your System Ready

During the summer, your heating and cooling system has been working hard. With the system working hard, it is a good idea to make sure it is working properly and do routine maintenance on it.

10. Programmable Thermostat

As the weather changes from warm to crisp, it is a good idea to make sure that the thermostat is programmed to the right settings. A programmable thermostat can help keep your home at the ideal temperatures but will also save money on heating costs because you do not have to remember to change the settings each time you leave the house, come home or the weather changes. Set the temperature a little cooler at night, and have it warm up about 30 minutes before you wake up. Turn the temperature down when no one will home during the day and have it kick back on before you get home. These simple changes keep your home comfortable but will save money at the same time.

11. Check the Fireplace

With the cooler temperatures, if you plan on lighting a fire in your fireplace, it is important to make sure that the fireplace is in good working order. Clean the fireplace of ashes. Check the chimney for any loose or missing mortar. Have someone come to professionally clean the fireplace and chimney.

12. Check the Exterior

Before winter starts it is a good idea to check the outside of the house. Look for cracks and holes in the exterior of the house. If there are cracks or holes in the siding or paint, patch them. Replace caulk as needed. It doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Use a carpet knife to cut away the old caulking from the siding. Slice along the caulk on each side and use the knife to lift out the old caulk. Use a screwdriver to check the wood trim around the windows, the doors, decks, and railings. Caulk the holes or replace the wood, if needed.

13. Check the Attic

Check to make sure the attic has the right insulation installed and that it doesn’t need to be replaced. Make sure that the vapor barrier on the insulation is facing the living space. If the insulation is not installed correctly, the insulation will trap moisture and that can cause water problems. Cut slits in the vapor barrier to let the moisture escape. Use small pieces of the insulation to put into the joists on the attic floor.

14. Prepare the Yard

The fall is a good time to get the yard ready for winter. It is a good time to cut back shrubs. Separate perennials and replant them in a new space. Fertilize the plants. After the leaves have fallen, it is important to rake the leaves that have fallen. If the leaves are thick it will keep the grass from being able to grow in the spring.

15. Check the Driveways, Sidewalks, and Steps

Before winter has a chance to set in with the cold weather, it is important to check the driveway, walkways, and steps. If there are cracks in the concrete, now is the time to fix it. As the water seeps into the cracks and freezes, it will cause the cracks to become bigger. For cracks that are less than a half-inch wide, squeeze a bit of acrylic latex concrete repair deep into the crack. Then smooth it out with a putty knife. For larger cracks, you will need to trowel a vinyl concrete patching compound. It will need to cure for a day before walking on it and three days before driving on it.

Filed under: Uncategorized by Olga Gilmore

When it comes to maintenance and repairs, professional labor can be one of the more costly portions of a homeowner’s budget. While many people opt to save cash by doing work themselves, not everyone possesses the skills necessary to fix their own homes (even with the help of online instructional videos). Attempting a DIY project without careful preparation and a complete knowledge of the task could result in expenses that far exceed the cost of a contractor.

Even if you have the experience and know-how, it’s important to consider the time, materials, tools and permits required for your home improvement project. Here’s how to know which projects you can tackle yourself, and which you should probably leave to the experts.

1. Hanging wallpaper.

The verdict: Hire a pro.

The challenge of hanging wallpaper is keeping it straight and matching up the patterns correctly. Sometimes bubbling can occur, and that strip of paper will need to be removed and replaced. This can result in running out of wallpaper and needing to order more. Don’t want to risk it? Hire a professional.

2. Painting the exterior of your home.

The verdict: Hire a pro.

Painting the exterior of a house is a big job that requires extensive use of tall ladders (and sometimes climbing up on the roof). Homeowners should consider safety requirements before tackling an exterior job.

3. Fixing a clogged garbage disposal.

The verdict: Try to DIY it.

A clogged disposal may be cleared by using a small specialty wrench that fits into a hexagonal opening on the underside of the disposal while the disposal is turned off.

4. Fixing a running toilet.

The verdict: Try to DIY it.

A running toilet can be comfortably fixed by a DIY-er with a toilet rebuild kit from any hardware store. These kits typically contain straightforward and easy-to-follow instructions. On the other hand, one-piece or specialty toilets can be tricky and might need the professional touch.

5. Installing a light fixture.

The verdict: Hire a pro (probably).

Electrical repairs and installations are at best expensive. Taking a little time to research and understand your electrical system can give you the necessary skills to do some electrical projects yourself. When installing a light fixture, low-voltage projects can be safely performed by a homeowner, as these are less likely to cause structural or bodily harm. Stick with a professional for anything over 50 volts.

6. Patching a hole in drywall.

The Verdict: Try to DIY it.

Nearly any homeowner can patch nail holes. Using a spackle knife, fill in each hole with lightweight putty and scrape the excess off the walls. Wait for the putty to dry and sand down the spot until it’s smooth. Then, paint the repaired spots with primer. Larger holes in drywall require more steps to repair and may be best left to the professionals.

7. Cleaning gutters.

The verdict: Try to DIY it (if you’re comfortable on a ladder).

To prevent water damage from clogged gutters, leaves should be cleaned out of them every spring and fall. For single-story homes with level grounding around the foundation, go ahead and handle the task yourself (if you’re an experienced ladder-climber). Try to do this project when you have someone there to hold the ladder and help. If you aren’t up for the challenge of moving a ladder and steadily climbing up and down it to clear debris, hire someone else to complete this important task.

8. Re-grouting tile.

The verdict: Try to DIY it.

The surface of tile grout is porous, so dirt can get trapped in cracked grout, which leads to discoloration and further damage. The first step in repairing grout is to choose the right one. Grout choices consist of four different types: sanded, unsanded, acrylic latex or epoxy. Measure the space between your tiles to figure out which type of grout you should use. If the space between the tiles is less than 1/8 inch, use an unsanded acrylic or epoxy grout. If the space is larger than 1/8 inch, it is suggested that you use a sanded grout. Also, don’t forget to match the grout color before making your final purchase! The next step is to clean the grouted area. Then, use a grout saw to remove any damaged grout and then dampen the joints with a wet rag. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer’s directions and begin grouting the tile. It’s important to fill all the joints completely and smooth over the surface with a damp sponge to remove any excess. Allow the grout to set firmly and then clean with a damp rag.

9. Installing molding.

The verdict: Hire a pro.

Not all homeowners have a power saw or the skills to cut and safely install crown molding while on a ladder. The measurements must be accurate and the cuts must line up seamlessly. Unless you have experience, it’s best to leave this job to the professionals.

10. Fixing a sticking window.

The verdict: Hire a pro.

There are a number of reasons that a window might stick. It may be a buildup of dirt and debris in the window casing. Problems in the foundation of your home can cause windows to lose alignment and get stuck. Sometimes, a window is painted and shut before it completely dries, which glues the window closed. High humidity can cause doors and windows to swell and bind them in the jamb.

Fixing a stuck window may involve removing the window and could require using a belt sander or planer. If you don’t have the tools or the know-how to safely use the tools required, leave it to the professionals.

Filed under: Home Improvement, Home Tips by Olga Gilmore