Summer is fun, but by July it may be so hot you’re tempted to stay inside 24-7. Here’s a July To-Dos list of indoor home maintenance chores to keep you busy. Water Heater Maintenance To prevent sediment accumulation, it’s wise to drain the water heater tank periodically. First, turn off the electricity or gas to… Read more »
Outdoor activities beckon as summer comes calling, but so does the list of June chores for homeowners. Here’s what needs to get done before the fun begins. Clean grill grates. Throughout the summer, keep those cooking grates clean. Using a mixture of water and vinegar, clean with a plastic dish scrubber. Afterward, use a clean… Read more »
It’s May, which means summer is almost here. Before you can relax with a cool drink by the pool, get these home maintenance chores done. ✔ Repair wooden fences and decks. Repair or replace damaged boards, posts or cross beams. Check under the deck for signs of any nesting animals and clear out debris. ✔ … Read more »
Everyone is stressed and anxious about the COVID-19 crisis, but one positive to staying at home is the number of chores you can check off your list. Spring showers and increasingly warmer temperatures signal the beginning of April — a great month to prepare for gardening and summer living. Inspect for animal intruders. Just like… Read more »
March means warmer days and more sunshine, which is perfect for accomplishing home projects. Yes, it’s time for spring cleaning and fixing. Inspect the roof. Check for damage from ice and wind. Look for loose shingles and flashing. Check behind chimneys where shingles meet flashing. Inspect the gutters, especially where they attach to fascia boards…. Read more »
It’s February, which means it’s time for a little romance and a lot of indoor chores. Might as well get them completed while the weather is still too cold to do much outside. Kitchen Clean-up. If your oven has a self-cleaning function, select a time to run it while you’re at home. Afterward, use a… Read more »
A door that doesn’t open or close properly is not only a nuisance, it can pose a security risk and cost you money in higher power bills. Here’s how to diagnose the problem and get it that difficult door fixed. Be a door doctor. Does it stick? Not closing tight? Diagnosing the issue is the… Read more »
If showering in your home is less than spa-like and more akin to torture, it’s time to take a look under the shower head. Here are a few tips. Inspect the system. It’s entirely possible the screen under the shower head may be clogged. If so, unscrew and clean with a vinegar and water solution…. Read more »
January is a time for new beginnings, which means it’s prime time for homeowners to pack up the holiday decor, organize indoor spaces, and take care of winter maintenance. Here are key tips for a healthy home and a healthy you! Holiday Storage When packing the holiday decor, resist the urge to quickly toss everything… Read more »
December brings winter chill, hot cocoa and holiday cheer. It also brings its own set of home maintenance chores to help keep the season bright. Inspect attic insulation. Most home heating loss is through the attic, so check the depth of insulation with a tape measure and compare to the Energy Star recommendations for your… Read more »
Hardwood floors add warmth and depth to your home, and they certainly repel dirt and stains much easier than carpet, but they don’t last forever. Here’s a primer on hardwood floor resurfacing. Leave it to the pros. Resurfacing hardwoods is typically a job beyond the level of expertise of most DIYers. The last thing you… Read more »
It’s November, which means increasingly cold temperatures, peak football season and the prospect of the holidays right around the corner. Why not stay warm and take care of several indoor chores that should be completed annually? Lubricate door locks. Use a tube of graphite dust and squirt directly into the locks. Using the key, turn… Read more »
As one of the busiest and most productive rooms in a house, the kitchen needs lighting that is not only stylish but bright enough to illuminate the cooking, cleaning, snacking, studying and cleanup that makes this space a focal point of family life. As an addition to canned lights and as a replacement for more… Read more »
We’ve all seen them: nail or screw heads popping out of sheetrock after a house settles. They are a blemish on an otherwise smooth surface, so your eye is drawn to them. Can you fix them yourself? You sure can. Here’s how. Supplies. You’ll need a box cutter, a nail set and hammer, a screwdriver,… Read more »
Hanging small pictures doesn’t require a lot of skill or heavy duty hangers. But anything weighing in at more than 10 pounds, and especially more than 25 pounds, requires hefty fasteners and much more caution. When hanging something heavy, it’s always preferable to locate a wall stud behind the sheetrock and drive a nail or… Read more »
October is synonymous with cooler weather, changing leaves, apple harvests and trick-or-treat. It’s also a great time for homeowners to prep their houses for a long winter snooze. Check this handy list of home maintenance tasks to complete before sweater weather is over and overcoats are required. Winterize lawn equipment. After using your power lawn… Read more »
With summer winding down and fall temperatures on the horizon, September is a pivotal month for homeowners who want to keep their most valuable investment in tip-top shape. Here’s what needs to be done as summer heat transitions to autumn cool. Furnace Maintenance Make that call to a reputable heating and cooling specialist to schedule… Read more »
The island has become a fundamental part of the modern kitchen, but size limitations mean some kitchens cannot accommodate one. When an island isn’t feasible, a peninsula can be a great alternative. While peninsulas limit access to a kitchen as compared to islands that have circular flow, peninsulas can be attractive and functional. Floorplan variations… Read more »
Stainless steel appliances are gorgeous — until they’re streaked, smudged and full of fingerprints. Want to keep them looking like they did in the showroom? Here’s how. Warm water with a little dish soap is a great first step. Using a microfiber rag, wipe back and forth with the grain of the brushed stainless. Afterward,… Read more »
If you keep your garbage bins in the garage, why not free up space and move them permanently outside, tucked behind a decorative enclosure? Here are some gorgeous options for placing garbage bins out of sight and out of mind. Before you build. If you have a homeowners association, check first to see if you’re… Read more »
