Spring Cleaning and Maintenance
As spring approaches, we all long for sunny days, flowers, and warmer weather. The changing of seasons is also a great time to evaluate your home and catch up on some simple organizing and maintenance tasks. A little effort spent in maintenance pays for itself ten times over in money save on costly repairs. Let Peerless give you some great advice on getting ready for spring with some spring cleaning and maintenance tips .
Exterior
1) Clean your gutters: The purpose of a gutter is to carry water away from a building. If gutters are not cleaned, material such as leaves and other debris will build up in it and water will overflow onto the building and foundation. Gutters can be cleaned by scooping out debris by hand and then rinsing the gutter with a hose or pressure washer.
2) Get an HVAC checkup: Before you need to use your air conditioner it is a good idea to have a maintenance check. You technician will check for proper refrigerant levels and check for leaks. They should clean the evaporator and condenser coils, check lubrication, calibrate thermostats, and clean and replace filters. Keeping your air conditioner maintained will not only save on repair costs, it will also help reduce your electric bill.
3) Stain and seal wood decks: The winter is really hard on wood decks. They are constantly exposed to the harsh weather. A new coat of stain can prevent costly replacement.
4) Inspect your roof: Look for caulk that is cracked or rust spots on flashing as well as shingles that are missing or broken. Buckling of shingles may also be an issue. Do you have a chimney? Make sure you chimney cap is in good shape. Moss could be an indication of issues, but black algae stains are generally only cosmetic.
5) Repair paint: Painted surfaces should stay painted and sealed to protect the wood underneath. In order to maintain it, scrape off any chipped and peeling paint and repaint exposed surfaces.
6) Trim over growth: Trees and shrubs too close to your home can conduct moisture onto your roof and siding. A lot of over growth can also encourage squirrels and raccoons to take up in the eaves and attic. Trim them back at least 5 to 7 feet from your house.In addition, with spring comes spring rain and storms. This may be a good time to assess your larger trees and branches for their potential to break and fall in heavy wind.
Interior
1) Simplify: One of the reasons that maintenance and organization has become such a chore, is that modern life requires that we have so much stuff. Go through your closets, cupboards, even your shelves and dressers, and decide if you really want to keep all those things. In Marie Condo’s book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying up”, she asks the readers to consider their possessions and ask, “Does this Spark Joy?” If not, don’t keep it.
Don’t just throw it away. Donate it. Don’t forget that purging your home of unwanted items can give you the opportunity for charitable donations. If you don’t have time to drop off, many groups shave pick up services. In southeastern Virginia there is The Samaritan House. You can call them at 757-583-7211 on the Southside and 757-877-0644 on the Peninsula.
2) Check your smoke detectors: Press and hold the test button on the smoke detector. There should be a loud warning signal while the button is pressed. If the sound is weak or nonexistent, replace your batteries. Also, many smoke detectors have a shelf life. Check to see if your smoke detectors have expired. If so, replace them.
3) Check hoses: On washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers. If they show signs of deterioration, replace them.
4) Clean some out of the way items: Spring is a good time to inspect, clean, dust, and vacuum: dryer vents, range hood filters, and refrigerator compressors. In addition, clean or replace your air conditioner filter.
5) Check for leaks and moisture: Look in vanities and kitchen cabinets for signs of leaking and moisture. If attics and basements are damp it may be an indication of a slow leak or other issues. If you find some moisture, call a professional.
As you consider your own maintenance, don’t forget to contact Peerless for your carpet and upholstery cleaning needs !
Peerless Carpet Care and Restoration Services 