Well, Spring has sprung and now it's time to get rid of the weeds, trim the bushes, plant flowers and work on home maintenance projects! I don't know about you, but I especially love this time of year...although it's hectic trying to balance all the normal everyday activities and add yard work to the mix. The warm weather and the colorful flowers making their way up through the dirt makes me want to organize and clean...to me this is when the new year begins, not January 1st.
I stumbled upon some great little projects to do this month that will keep your home in good shape:
- Inspect screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent frames.
- Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a pair of sawhorses and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration --especially signs of rot. Use a small awl to probe posts, railings and window sills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or repair them when the weather turns fair.
- Prepare for the outdoor cooking season by inspecting gas grills. Remove cooking grills and thoroughly clean them with soapy water and a brush with brass bristles. Remove accumulated grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them over and igniting the burners. Allow 10 minutes on high heat to clean the briquettes.
- Inspect garden hoses for leaks. Make temporary repairs with electrical tape. Pry out old washers and replace them. Don't leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots until the danger of frost is completely over.
- Caulk open joints, particularly around windows and doors.
- Inspect the crawl space or basement after rains for water accumulation or excessive moisture. Look for signs of water damage on the subfloor and joists beneath bathrooms, the kitchen and laundry. Find and fix leaks now or pay the price later.
- Shut off the water to the washing machine, remove the water supply hoses and examine them and the washers. Replace worn and damaged ones.
- Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are not outdated, have lost pressure or are damaged.
- Check all weatherstripping around doors and windows for wear, damage or loss of flexibility. Replace material that is no longer blocking air.
- Clean your garbage disposal. Grind two trays of ice cubes made from a mixture of one cup white vinegar to one gallon of water.
Thank You for Reading!
If you are in the market to buy or sell your home in the Bethlehem or Dacula area, I would be happy to assist you! My passion is helping people find their dream home and stepping them through this exciting journey. I serve the Walton, Barrow and Gwinnett county areas. Call or text me today!
Photos ©2009 Anne Rains Photography, All Rights Reserved.
(Project ideas came from an article on Weather.com)
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