Winter is approaching and your lawn is ready for the changing of the seasons. Your water bill is going down for a few months, but your grass will thank you for taking extra good care of it before the cold blows in.
When it comes to winterizing your lawn, there are several projects you can tackle while the sun is still gracing us with its presence (and before the wind gets uncomfortable).
Whether you are a first-time homeowner or a seasoned one, the issue of home maintenance is both essential and frequently overlooked or avoided until necessary. Why? Because there are a lot of things to maintain around a home and everyone wants to hope for the best. The “I’ll deal with it when it happens” train of thought is common but can also put homeowners in a pickle when something big breaks down – like their water heater or air conditioner.
Home maintenance refers to the ongoing tasks and repairs that are necessary to keep a home in good condition. These tasks can range from simple cleaning and upkeep to more complex repairs and installations.
Summer is the perfect time of year to get your home in tip-top shape. While there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy during the warm weather, it’s essential to prioritize home maintenance projects to ensure a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient home.
Part of becoming a homeowner usually means that you are purchasing a lawn that needs regular care. Not all new homeowners are equipped with the knowledge it takes to care for their grass. For all our first-time homebuyers or new lawn caretakers, here is our best advice for caring for your lawn this summer.
Did you know that your deck has a life expectancy of around 10-15 years? For anyone with an older home or an older deck, this information is essential to prevent possible injuries.
Summer is nearing and if you are a new homeowner, then you may not be used to this time of year when it becomes necessary to do a little home maintenance.
You have made an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars for your new home and it only makes sense to take care of this investment. By doing regular maintenance each quarter, you can help to save yourself money in the long run.
Now that weather is getting warmer and drier, it’s time to do some maintenance checks on your home. If you do this now and keep up with it regularly, then your house will take care of you for years to come.
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As a homeowner, each season brings its own list of home maintenance tasks that need to be completed, and January is no exception. Even though it’s dark and cold (and often snowy) outside, that doesn’t mean you are off the hook when it comes to keeping up with your home.
Here are some suggestions for tasks you could complete this month to keep your home in top shape:
Check Your Batteries
Go through your home and check the batteries and test all the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in optimal condition and that you can depend on them in an emergency.
Clean the Coat Closet
Whether you have a mudroom or a simple closet, take some time to organize the space. Get rid of anything that no longer fits, doesn’t have a match, or is in poor condition. Make sure your weather gear is easily accessible and you have what you need to brave the winter weather.
Tackle that Junk Drawer
We all have one. The drawer where all the miscellaneous knick knacks and gadgets go can easily get out of hand if it’s not organized regularly.
Make Things Cozy
Pull out those fuzzy blankets, candles, and teapots! Go around your home and figure out how to make each room cozy and comfortable since you’ll be spending more time indoors this time of year.
Protection from Water
If you want to protect your home from potential water damage, make sure you know where your water shut off valve is (just in case). Are those gutters clean? They are designed to send any possible water or snow runoff into an appropriate spot which could be problematic if they overflow into other areas.
This should give you plenty of projects to tackle this month to stay on top of the place you call home.
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We’re all enjoying Fall but that doesn’t mean you can’t do a little spring cleaning right now. In fact, we encourage people to do this as the holiday season approaches.
Whether you need the room for new toys for the little ones or are feeling cramped just ahead of visiting relatives for the holidays, it’s always a good idea to run a decluttering session in your home. And the benefits go beyond just feeling less packed in. There are actual health benefits to decluttering your home.
The Benefits – We already know the obvious one here: less clutter means less stuff to have to clean and dust plus less stuff to trip over and step around.
But did you ever consider the psychological benefits of a decluttered home? Mentally, having less clutter keeps you less anxious. By looking all the time at the stuff in your home, you may be thinking that you have to clean it or move it or pick it up. With less things to clutter the home, you have less worries.
Also, when you are decluttering your house, we encourage you to donate all the unneeded items. The act of donation shows gratitude and a sense of wanting to help others, not trying to foist your unwanted junk on someone else. So, donating these items can help you with your overall personal outlook on life.
How to Declutter — The best way to do this is on a room-by-room approach. Go into each room with the mindset of getting rid of things you no longer need or want, are broken, or not being used.
The best way to do this is to set up three different piles for your “stuff.” The first pile will be things that you plan to keep. These should be your essentials as well as those personal items that you could never bring yourself to part with. The second pile should be for things that you wish to donate. If you haven’t used it or looked at something in over a year, chances are you don’t need it. Unless it has serious sentimental value (like a family heirloom), then put it in the donation bin.
Reserve the third pile for trash and make sure that this one is your smallest pile. Even if you think it is trash, someone might be able to find use or value in it with a donation. Only toss things in here if they are broken beyond repair or something that no one could possibly want.
Maintaining a Clutter-Free Zone — Once you have your house de-cluttered, try to maintain it as best as possible. A good rule of thumb (especially for kids and toys) is that for every new item you purchase, one old item needs to be donated. This will keep the clutter down to a minimum and help keep your peace of mind.
An uncluttered home is often the sign of a happy soul as it means that you are not letting your personal possessions take over and rule your life and home. By spending some time decluttering your house, you can ensure some peace and calm in your own life.
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It may seem hard to believe, but autumn is right around the corner. For homeowners, this means that it’s time to do a little basic maintenance for your home before the weather dips.
While the weather is still warm and agreeable, it’s a good idea to knock out some of these maintenance tips. That way, you can enjoy your autumn and prepare for the holidays!
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