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Here are a few things to do this month to keep your house running smoothly as the summer months wind down. Beat the heat by doing some interior projects and maintenance to your home.
1) Inspect your deck, both surface and underneath. Clean all debris from surface with a hose, or blower as they can cause decay and mildew.
2) Clean the condenser coils on the back or under your refrigerator.
3) Check faucets for leaks and replace washers or repair the faucet as necessary.
4) Clean under range hood. remove and replace range hood filters
5) Fix “water hammer” noises in plumbing system by draining the system. Open uppermost faucet(farthest from meter) and lowest faucet(closest to meter), allowing water to flow to the lower sink, restoring air to air chambers. close lowest faucet and refill system.
6) Plan interior remodeling projects and get estimates.
If you need assist with the above tips or have any other home project needs, click the “contact” button to the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
As we head into the “dog days” of summer, sometimes the heat, intense sun and severe weather can damage our properties as much as the winter months. Here are some tips to help your house make it through the heat of the summer.
1) Check all exterior walls for peeling or cracked paint. Typically, paint on South and west facing wall deteriorate faster and requires more frequent maintenance.
2) Inspect brick or masonry for cracks or missing mortar, repair with fresh mortar, or concrete caulk.
3) Inspect roofing material for cracks and loose or missing shingles, repairing as necessary. check for leak evidence if you are able to access attic and view roof from underneath.
4) Inspect the operation of automatic light timers and motion detector systems, especially if you are going to be on a vacation.
5) Prune trees and shrubs away from house so they do not make contact with roof or siding.
6) Clean and repair cracks in driveways using an epoxy patching material. use asphalt patch in driveways and repeat this every other year.
If you need any assistance with the above tips or would like a home consult for any other home project needs, click the “contact” tab on the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
Welcome June! This month kids are out of school and summer begins. Your home will have a lot more traffic in the upcoming months. Below are some home maintenance tips to use this month to help your house survive through the summer months ahead.
1) Remove weeds growing in cracks of patios, sidewalks and driveways. seal cracks in driveways with appropriate elastic concrete sealer.
2) Clean, stain/paint and seal decks
3) Inspect and clean chimneys. Doing this before fall gives you plenty of time to do repairs if needed after the sweep.
4) Wash the exterior of your house with garden hose or pressure washer. Beware of the pressure when you have siding as water can get forced under the siding causing potential for mold and mildew
5) Caulk exterior joints of windows and doors.
6) Clean lint from entire clothes dryer system, from dryer to exterior vent cap.
7) Inspect and repair, or repaint/stain all patio and deck furniture
8) Clean or replace carpets
9) Change your furnace filter, especially if you use central A/C
If you need any assistance with the above tips or would like a home consult for any other home project needs, click the “contact” tab on the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
This Month is full of celebration, so let’s get our homes in shape for every event. use the following tips to keep your home in the best condition through the rest of spring and into the summer.
1) If you have not done so all ready, you can turn on your sprinklers (in Colorado). Check for leaks or broken components due to winter or age. Fix ASAP to save your water bill for the upcoming months.
2) Clean gutters. Inspect gutters to ensure all spikes, straps and clips are tight. Use a garden hose to flush debris through downspouts. Make sure water is directed at least 3 feet from the foundation of your home.
3) Wash windows inside and out. use a solution made of 3 tablespoons of non-sudsy ammonia to one gallon of water. don’t clean in direct sun to prevent streaks.
4) Have central A/C unit checked and serviced per manufacturers recommendation. Clean all debris away from condenser.
5) Remove mineral deposits from faucet aerators and shower head by soaking parts in white vinegar and scrubbing with an old toothbrush.
6) Dust all ceiling fan blades for best performance.
7) Full house drain flush. Fill up your tubs and your sinks with hot water and let them drain at the same time. This will help keep the main line a bit cleaner.
If you need any assistance with repairing any issues you find during your spring home inspection, or would like a home consult, or have any other home project needs, click the “contact” tab on the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
Time to come out of the house and imagine what you can build or grow in your yard. Time to enjoy the increasing temperatures, and take the covers off of outdoor furniture and those grills. This is also a great time to examine the exterior of your home and your property to see what damage winter and time may have done. Use the tips below to get your home on the right foot this month so it can have a prosperous spring and summer season.
1)Inspect your homes exterior, checking for cracking paint/stucco, caulk gaps around windows and doors, foundation cracking and that vent covers are secure and not damaged or off.
2)Inspect all screens on windows and doors for tearing or bending. Also inspect attic venting for any damage.
3) Clean window screens. Ensure you pull screens off and place them on a flat surface before doing this.
4) Inspect all outdoor structures such as decks, porches, patios and gazebos. use a small Awl to probe wood for soft spots. Also check window sills. Make note of your findings to replace when weather is improved.
5) Prepare for grilling season by inspecting gas grills. Clean grill plates with brass bristled brush and soapy water. Remove accumulated grease from lava rocks or burners.
6) Inspect garden hoses for leaks, replace washers and temporarily repair any found leaks. Don’t keep hose connected to spigots until the fear of frost is over.
If you need any assistance with repairing any issues you find during your spring home inspection, or would like a home consult, or have any other home project needs, click the “contact” tab on the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
It seems too soon to say spring is around the corner, but…..spring is around the corner. Not only does March bring spring, it also brings St Patrick’s day, Day light savings time. Give your home some Irish luck going into the next season by following the below proactive home maintenance tips.
1) Check faucets for drips and all your plumbing for leaks throughout the house. Repairing these leaks will keep your water bills down and reduces the potential for major plumbing issues in the future.
2) Day light savings time begins(March 10th). This is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
3) Celebrate spring by cleaning the garage, hold a yard sale or organize a neighborhood yard sale. Dispose of paint thinners, household cleaners and pesticides properly. Check your local public works to see next hazardous materials pick up.
4) Clean your refrigerator , inside and out. Remove all trays and shelves, wash, and allow to dry thoroughly before replacing. Remove old ice from ice tray.
5) After heavy rains, inspect basement walls for signs of moisture. If detected, get a portable dehumidifier. If condition persists, consult a waterproofing contractor.
6) Check to make sure your sump pump works properly by pouring water into the pump silo to raise the float and activate motor.
7) Test the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater by opening it and allowing some water to flow out. If little or no water flows out, or it does not shut off, replace it. bad valves can cause explosions.
bad and good temperature and pressure relief valve
8) Change your furnace filter, and change every 3 months or sooner.
If you need assistance with the above preventative home maintenance tips or have other home project needs, click the “contact” button to the right and let Screw Loose?LLC take care of the rest.
The month of love…………..Let’s show our homes some love with this months preventative home maintenance tips.
1) Check all exhaust fans, both in kitchens and bathrooms. Check for appropriate air movement before and after showers and run hood fan while cooking. Clean fans as needed as dust and grease build up promotes moisture to not move and can damage parts of the fan over time.
2) Remove drain traps under sinks and clean them thoroughly. Clean pop up drain plugs. Adjust drain plugs as needed and check for leaks under drain when drain is plugged
3) Inspect grout and caulk around tubs, sinks and showers. Chip out cracked grout and replace missing grout. stained and mildewed caulk should be cleaned with trisodium phosphate or other household cleaner. If it remains discolored it should be removed and replaced with fresh, mildew resistant caulk.
4) Musty closet odors can be reduced or eliminated by removing the closets contents and washing walls with a diluted solution of chlorine bleach. also, solid doors can be replaced with louvered doors for better air flow. If the musty smell is from a true water source, disregard the above and find/stop the water source.
5) To keep valves from sticking and check for leaks, turn all water valves off and on. This includes outdoor faucets/valves(if they are still on this month), valves to toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine.
Water Saving Tip:
6) During extreme cold snaps, you may need to let a faucet drip to prevent frozen pipes. When you do that, put a bucket under the faucet to catch the water. Use this water to flush a toilet, or water your indoor plants. Don’t let all those drips go to waste.
If you need assistance with any of the above tips, or have other home projects or repairs, click the “contact” button to the right and let Screw Loose take care of the rest.
I hope that The New Year has started out on the right foot. Here are a few home maintenance tips that will help your home meet its New Years resolutions.
1) Empty a gallon of water out of your water heater to remove sediment from the bottom. A qualified service technician should evaluate your water heater every 5 years.
2) Organize your home improvement files. Review warranties and product manuals to ensure that you are providing the recommended maintenance for those items. Get your calendar organized to track needed maintenance times.
3) Full house drain flush. fill up your sinks and tubs with hot water and let them all drain at the same time. This helps keep the main line a bit cleaner.
4) Make room by room inventory of everything in your home that you use. In the event of fire, flood, or other disaster, this is important for filing an insurance claim.
5) Don’t close vents to crawl space. since we live in an area where pipes can freeze, insulate pipes and under the floor. vents play an important role in controlling condensation beneath a house.
6) Double-check insulation around exterior pipes that are exposed to freezing weather to be certain that water cannot seep under the insulation.
7) Prevent frozen pipes by opening your cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate near your pipes. This is a must if your pipes are running along and exterior wall and you are unsure of the amount of insulation you have.
8) Inspect all cabinet, and furniture for loose hardware, noisy, or sticky hinges.
9) Check all interior and exterior doors for loose, sticky, or noisy hardware, lubricate as needed, tighten all knobs and locks.
10) Check your Garbage disposal for leaks and function. The holidays can be very abusive on this appliance.
Did You know?: January is the deadliest month for CO poisoning. Defend against this by 1)not using portable generators within the home, 2) have gas water heaters and other fuel burning appliances checked professionally 1X/year, and 3) install CO detector outside each sleeping area, within 15 feet of the entry.
If you need assistance with the above preventative home maintenance projects, or have any other new Year home projects, click the “Contact” tab above and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
The holidays are in full swing and people are beginning preparations to their homes for the next round of visitors. Below are some hints and tips to get you and your home through another month of the holiday season.
1) Check/Replace disposable furnace filters monthly during the heating season, or clean reusable filters bimonthly. have a professional tune up your furnace annually and get your ducts cleaned every 5-6 years. This will reduce heating costs and have you breathing cleaner air.
2) Check the operation of all “ground- fault circuit interrupter” outlets throughout house. Do this by pushing “test” button. The “reset” button should pop out, indicating proper function. Push “reset” button back in. You will find these outlets near any source of water, including outdoors.
3) Review the family fire escape plan with every household member
4) Unpack and test all electrical holiday decorations. Repair or discard those that are not functioning properly.
5) Watch for sales on tools before and after the holidays.
If you need holiday preparations, or have a current project to get done before visitors arrive, click the “contact” button to the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
I hope everyone has gotten over the sugar high from Halloween and are going to see the dentist. Now is the month when we start to prepare our home for family, who are coming to join us to celebrate Thanksgiving. It is also a month when we can start being proactive on the inside of our homes as the yard work is wrapping up for the next few months. Use the extra hour you gained this month to ensure your house is running efficiently through the following steps.
1) Clean lint from entire clothes dryer vent system, from exterior vent cap. Have your dryer exhaust ducts inspected annually, especially for longer exhaust runs.
2) Set your clocks back November 4th at 2 AM.
3) Inspect automatic garage door opener and lubricate according to manufacturers directions. Make sure all screws are tightened and secured.
4) Check for leaks around washing machine. Inspect supply hoses as they will have the highest incidence of leaking.
5) Clean dishwasher, trash compactor and counter top appliances.
6) Change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, or change over to the 10 year battery free detectors.
If you need any assistance doing any of the home maintenance mentioned above, or have other project needs around your home, click the contact button to the right and let Screw Loose? LLC take care of the rest.
