Tag Archives: home maintenance

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

The following checklist will help you prepare your home for fall and winter. Taking time now to ensure your home is prepared for rain, wind, and colder temperatures will give you peace of mind, increase your homes efficiency, and could save money on costly emergency repairs.

Fertilize and apply weed killer to lawn

Trim trees and bushes away from sides of house and over roof and gutters

Blow out irrigation system

Remove, drain, and store hoses

Insulate outside faucets and close shut-off valves

Clean and store/cover outdoor furniture, BBQ, and tools

Ensure winter tools are accessible and ready for use Inspect drainage system around foundation of home

Inspect roof for leaks or damaged shingles and flashing

Flush and inspect gutters, downspouts, and storm drains; inspect regularly

Inspect crawl space and attic for rodents and adequate insulation

Have garage door and opener serviced

Replace worn thresholds and weather stripping around doors and windows; caulk as needed

Wash windows inside and out; remove screens and install storm windows

Wrap exposed water pipes in crawl space, basement, or garage

Check for air leaks on exterior walls where pipes enter the house; caulk or add insulation as needed

Wrap water heater with insulated blanket

Have chimney cleaned and inspected

Clean dryer duct; clean vent after each use

Have heating system inspected and serviced

Replace furnace filters monthly, or as recommended

Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly; replace batteries annually

Prepare emergency kit in the event of a power outage or emergency.

Spring & Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer will be here soon! Are you ready to get a jump on your spring and summer home maintenance projects? It’s a good idea to finish much of your home maintenance now before the weather gets too hot. The following checklist will help you get started.

Inspect home’s exterior for winter storm damage

Complete exterior repairs as needed to roof, gutters, chimney, siding, windows, foundation, porch, deck, walkways, and driveway

Clean roof if needed

Flush and inspect gutters & downspouts

Trim trees/bushes near buildings & power lines; remove dead/damaged branches once new growth is apparent

De-thatch lawn with a good raking prior to first mowing; mow lawn down to 2 inches before grass is over 2 ½ inches tall, leaving no less than ½ inch of growth; lightly apply quality fertilizer with weed killer

Power wash siding, porch, deck, patio, walkways, and driveway

Paint interior & exterior as needed

Wash windows inside & out (check for mold around windows and moisture between panes); remove storm windows and install screen

Have automatic garage door opener serviced

Clean dryer vent and replace/clean filters and/or coils on all household appliances and heating/cooling systems

Clean Carpeting

Organize garage or storage areas

Test smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors monthly

 

 

 

Spring Exterior Home Maintenance

Exterior Home MaintenanceStart your spring exterior maintenance plan by grabbing a pen and paper and taking a walk around the full perimeter of your home. Compile a list of any necessary repairs you discover. Breaking these tasks down later into categories and prioritizing them will make the list more manageable.

Tree TrimmingTrim Trees & Bushes You need relatively clear access to your home’s exterior to complete most maintenance tasks. A good place to start is to trim back any trees and bushes from the side of the house and hanging over the roof, gutters, and power lines. Remember to give the same attention to any outbuildings, such as a detached garage or storage shed. 

Power Wash Power wash the siding, porch, deck, patio, walkways, and driveway, wherever there are stubborn dirt stains, fungus, mold, or mildew. If you plan to use detergents or bleach solutions, be sure to use safe, biodegradable products recommended for the specific surfaces you are cleaning.

ChimneyChimney & Fireplace Inspect the chimney for any mortar or brick damage. Cracked or crumbling mortar should be removed and replaced, known as repointing. Examine the brick or stone for signs of peeling or flaking, known as spauling. Significantly damaged or missing stones should be replaced. Some minor masonry jobs can be done yourself. Thoroughly cleaning and then sealing the chimney’s entire exterior surface with a high quality brick and stone sealer will help reduce further damage. If you find significant mortar or brick damage it is generally best to consult with a professional.

Once the heating season has passed, have the chimney professionally inspected and cleaned, especially if you use a wood stove or fireplace regularly during winter. Doing this in spring or summer will avoid the fall rush and you may even get a break on the price.

Buckling ShinglesRoof, Gutters & DownspoutsInspect the roof of your home and outbuildings for any signs of leaks or damage including buckling, curling, or missing shingles. Shingles and metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and in valleys should be firmly adhered. Consult with a roofing specialist if you suspect repairs are necessary. Gutters and downspouts should be flushed and inspected for any leaks. If you find leaks, thoroughly dry the area to be repaired and apply a quality, exterior caulk to seal any holes, joints, or gaps.

 

Siding, Doors & Windows Inspect for gaps where air and moisture can get inside. Remove old caulk and thoroughly clean areas in need of repair. Allow to dry completely and apply a quality, exterior grade caulk.  

 

Foundation, Driveway, Walkway & Patio Inspect the concrete for cracks or pits. Minor defects can often be repaired on your own but larger jobs may require a professional. Keep in mind it can be difficult to match a patch to existing concrete. Carefully consider repairs in high visibility locations.  If you notice significant cracks or damage to the foundation you should have it professionally inspected immediately.  

 

Deck MaintenanceDecks & Porches Examine decks and porches for any damage or rot. Replace any deck boards in poor condition and secure loose boards or railings. Apply stain or sealer to wood decks to prevent decay. Resurface waterproof decking as recommended by the manufacturer’s warranty.  

 

Lawn Maintenance

Remove all fallen branches, leaves, and other debris from the lawn. De-thatch the lawn with a good raking prior to the first mowing. Mow lawn down to two inches, being careful not to ‘scalp’ the grass with the first mowing. Lightly apply a quality fertilizer that contains an effective weed killer.   

First Day Of Fall

Seasonal Checklist

Today marks the first day of fall, and what a wet, blustery, fall day it is! I have already had to rescue two plants that were blown off their stands on the deck.  If you haven’t completed your fall to-do list, today is a good time to reflect on those projects that still need attention. Attached is our Seasonal Checklist to help you along.

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Start your spring exterior maintenance plan by grabbing a pen and paper and taking a walk around the full perimeter of your home. Compile a list of any necessary repairs you discover. Breaking these tasks down later into categories and prioritizing them will make the list more manageable.

Trim Trees & Bushes

You need relatively clear access to your home’s exterior to Tree overhanging roof complete most maintenance tasks. A good place to start is to trim back any trees and bushes from the side of the house and hanging over the roof, gutters, and power lines. Remember to give the same attention to any outbuildings, such as a detached garage or storage shed.

Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

buckling shingles Inspect the roof of your home and outbuildings for any signs of leaks or damage including buckling, curling, or missing shingles. Shingles and metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and in valleys should be firmly adhered. Consult with a roofing specialist if you suspect repairs are necessary. Gutters and downspouts should be flushed and inspected.

How to Clean Rain Gutters and Downspouts
How to Clean Rain Gutters and Downspouts

Power Wash

Power wash the siding, porch, deck, patio, walkways, and driveway, wherever there are stubborn dirt stains, fungus, mold, or mildew. If you plan to use detergents or bleach solutions, be sure to use safe, biodegradable products recommended for the specific surfaces you are cleaning.

Chimney & Fireplace

Inspect the chimney for any mortar or brick damage. Cracked or crumbling mortar should be removed and replaced, known as repointing. Significantly damaged or missing stones should be replaced. Some minor masonry jobs can be done yourself. If you find significant mortar or brick damage it is generally best to consult with a professional.

Once the heating season has passed, have the chimney professionally inspected and cleaned, especially if you use a wood stove or fireplace regularly during winter. Doing this in spring or summer will avoid the fall rush and you may even get a break on the price.

Siding, Doors & Windows

Inspect for gaps where air and moisture can get inside. Remove old caulk and thoroughly clean areas in need of repair. Allow to dry completely and apply a quality, exterior grade caulk.

Foundation, Driveway, Walkway & Patio

Inspect the concrete for cracks or pits. Minor defects can often be repaired on your own but larger jobs may require a professional. Keep in mind it can be difficult to match a patch to existing concrete. Carefully consider repairs in high visibility locations.  If you notice significant cracks or damage to the foundation you should have it professionally inspected immediately.

Decks & Porches

Examine decks and porches for any damage or rot. Replace any deck boards in poor condition and secure loose boards or railings. Apply stain or sealer to wood decks to prevent decay. Resurface waterproof decking as recommended by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Lawn Maintenance

Remove all fallen branches, leaves, and other debris from the lawn. De-thatch the lawn with a good raking prior to the first mowing. Mow lawn down to two inches, being careful not to ‘scalp’ the grass with the first mowing. Lightly apply a quality fertilizer that contains an effective weed killer.

Home Maintenance Plan

Greetings!

Spring is just a few short weeks away. With longer days and warmer temps around the corner, it’s naturally a time to start thinking about household projects we’d like to complete this summer.

Just like a car, a home requires regular care and maintenance to ensure its functionality and to maintain or increase its value. Regular maintenance is not only critical to the well-being of your home, but more importantly the people and animals that live in the home. Please continue reading to learn how a home maintenance plan can save you time and money and help prevent many avoidable and oftentimes costly home ’emergencies’.

Home Maintenance Plan

If you own a car, you know the importance of keeping it properly maintained to ensure it is safe to drive and will perform optimally. If you neglect to maintain the vehicle it can become unsafe to operate and ultimately costly and avoidable repairs will result. Unless you are handy at working on cars, you most likely take it to your favorite mechanic as needed for routine maintenance procedures.

When we purchase a home we don’t always have the same easy to follow maintenance plan that comes with a new car purchase. Purchasing a home is the biggest financial investment most of us will make in our lifetime. Just like a car, a home requires regular care and maintenance to ensure its functionality and maintain or increase its value. Whether your home is 1 or 100 years old, regular care and maintenance is critical to the well-being of the home and the people and animals that live there.

A customized maintenance plan encompassing the unique characteristics of your home begins with a thorough inspection of the structural and mechanical systems of the building. This will provide you with a clear understanding of the home’s current condition, life expectancy of replacement items such as roof & gutters, and potential problem areas, including pest control measures. A thorough inspection would include everything from the foundation to the roof, and in between. Outbuildings, surrounding vegetation, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, and drainage should also be considered.

Depending on the square footage of the home, you can expect to pay $500-600 for the average residential, single-family home inspection, inclusive of a comprehensive report. Condominiums generally run slightly less. Considering you will refer to the report for as long as you live in the home (and can pass it on to the next owner) this one-time cost is exceptional value that will pay for itself many times over. Being pro-active and performing regular preventative maintenance procedures will keep your home well-maintained and looking beautiful while keeping your overall maintenance costs to a minimum. And, just like selling a used car, being able to provide a future prospective buyer with comprehensive maintenance records just may tip the scales to your favor.

There’s no wrong time to have a home inspection. However, if you plan to purchase a home, the offer you make will most likely be contingent upon your obtaining an inspection of the property. Now is the perfect time to make sure the money you spend on the inspection will continue to provide good value for years to come. A thorough examination accompanied by a comprehensive report will allow you to make an informed buying decision and the report will be a valuable tool for your future maintenance plan.

Alternatively, if you plan to sell your home you want to be the one most informed of its overall condition. Avoid surprises by knowing in advance what repairs should be made before the home even goes on the market. Eliminate potential objectives that might otherwise dissuade a potential buyer. If you so choose, being able to share the report and disclose the property’s condition could be a significant selling point.

So now you have your inspection report in hand. What do you do from here? If you are handy around the home, you will be able to perform many of the maintenance tasks yourself. Using seasonal checklists for both interior and exterior maintenance will help you plan ahead and not miss important steps along the way. Some items like an annual tune-up of your heating & air-conditioning system are best left to the professionals. Take care of minor maintenance yourself, such as cleaning or replacing filters regularly and making sure registers are free of dust.

If time is short, or for whatever reason you prefer not to handle some or all of these tasks on your own, it is wise to establish a relationship with a home improvement professional. A reputable contractor will work with you to establish a long-range maintenance plan at whatever level of involvement you wish. Finding someone you can build a relationship with and rely upon will ensure your future maintenance and remodeling projects are cost-effective and coordinate well with your existing plan. It’s important to find someone dependable, who communicates well, and who you are comfortable having in and around your home.

Our expertise is matching homeowners with reliable contractors who are not just exceptional at their craft. They are professional, courteous, competitively priced, and of course comply with all state regulations and licensing requirements. We at Contractor Hotline are here for you from start to finish, project after project, year after year. Contact us today with questions, to schedule an inspection, or to be connected with a home improvement professional that best suits your needs.