The warm weather in Northern Virginia makes for an ideal time to get some chores done around the house. Take advantage of the sunny skies and spend some time outside, checking the property, and performing regular maintenance. By keeping up with these tasks, you reduce the risk of having to pay for problems or repairs later on. A utility checkup in July will likely cost less than a checkup in January, when the repairman will need to work around the cold and snow.
An energy audit is a job that can be completed by a homeowner. Take a walk around the house making note of any gaps or cracks in the walls. Pay close attention to areas where windows meet the wall, fireplaces, mounted air conditioning units, and mail slots. These are all common areas to see a crack in the wall. These openings may lead to air leaking out of the house. Plugging these can save money on heating and cooling bills. Next, turn off the electric on your circuit box. Remove the switch-plate covers to look for gaps here as well. Consider purchasing an insulated cover, which prevents gaps.
By this point in the summer, you have probably made good use of your patio furniture and decking. It’s a good idea to do a mid-summer cleanup here too, in order to make your fall cleanup that much easier. A soapy bleach mixture can help to get rid of any dirt or grime that may have added up in the past few months. Cleaning with soap and bleach can also help to keep bugs away in the August heat. Decks can be cleaned up using a deck cleaner from the local hardware store. If you have planters on your deck, you may want to protect the deck by using pot ‘feet.’ These help to make drainage room for planters, preventing your wooden deck from being exposed to standing water. These pot ‘feet’ are sold at many garden shops. Alternatively, use some bricks or concrete blocks to raise the planter.
Summer months are an ideal time to clean concrete or asphalt. Power washers are excellent for this type of work, but you can get the job done without these as well. Pour a cleaning solution over the entire area. It is best if the solution soaks for about 30 minutes. This may be a challenge if your driveway or concrete is at an angle. Using bricks or large solid items to hold the water back can be helpful. As you go down the area, keep an eye out for cracks or splits. These can be patched up quickly using masonry crack filler (for concrete) or asphalt caulk (for asphalt). Make sure the area is dry from the cleaning product, and then fill up the cracks.
At JC Advantage, we want to help you keep your home looking its best. We care about our community and the homes we sell. If you have any questions about buying or selling in Northern Virginia, be sure to contact us at 8245 Boone Blvd., Suite 410 in Vienna or call 703-442-0007. If you prefer, contact me directly by email at conor@jcadvantage.com.
Comments (0)Subscribe to CommentsComment