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Every home has a story, and they are as vast and varied as the world is wide. But they all start with inspiration, and inspiration starts with our surroundings. That’s what home is. Family. Friends. A sense of place. An amazing view. It is all part of what makes a space a home because your home is where you truly live. As homeowners ourselves we understand that your best life begins with a home that inspires you.
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When summer starts to pop and you begin to dream of poolside meals prepared on the grill, it’s time to give your home and landscaping a once-over to ensure there isn’t any unseen winter damage, and to make small improvements. Tackle these exterior maintenance tasks to get your home and outdoor space ready for the warmer months ahead.
Since the exterior of your home is exposed to extreme elements, it’s important to inspect it at least once a year, says certified professional inspector Pete Bagwell, regional manager of home inspections at Inspection Kings in Utah. “Deterioration can happen a whole lot faster than we expect,” says Bagwell.
A close examination of your property can help you catch issues early and prevent bigger problems in the future.
You may be tempted to use a pressure washer but research the equipment and the appropriate technique for your siding first. You don’t want to accidentally cause damage to your home—for instance, overly high pressure can force water behind the siding, potentially leading to mold growth, says Bagwell.
“Durable surfaces such as concrete, brick, and most vinyl sidings can be traditionally pressure washed,” says Busch. But for wood and stucco surfaces, he recommends calling in a professional. You can also use a garden hose with a gentle nozzle or a bucket of soapy water and a soft scrub brush to spot clean.
Sparkling windows let in the sunshine. Try to choose a cool, cloudy day to tackle this task in order to prevent streaks. Use a soft brush or cloth and a bucket of cool water with a tiny squirt of dish soap—avoiding overly sudsy water. For windows out of reach, carefully get up on a ladder and scrub by hand, use an extendable brush, or try using spray cleaners that attach to the end of a hose.
Before reinstalling any screens you’ve removed, “be sure to brush and rinse them off,” says David Flax, VP of operations at Window Genie. Patch up any small holes in screens so that bugs can’t fly in.
Smart Tip: To tackle the inside window pane, use a clean cloth along with a glass cleaner or a mix of diluted vinegar and water. Avoid getting the window frame and sills wet.
“Each spring, the sprinkler system should be pressurized and run to identify any leaks or damaged components,” says Sevick.
Start by closing the backflow pressure valves and opening the main irrigation water shutoff valve, he says. Next, “set the controller to run each cycle for a minimum of two to three minutes. Walk along the system as the heads come up and evaluate each head for pressure and coverage,” says Sevick. Note any leaks or damaged components, and repair or replace them.
Finally, adjust the direction of nozzles to get the desired coverage. Make sure there aren’t any sprinklers aimed at the house so water doesn’t get behind the siding, says Bagwell.
Fallen leaves, rain, and snow, along with salt and ice melt, can leave concrete areas—such as sidewalks, driveways, and patios—looking discolored and damaged.
Use a flat-surface pressure washer to get rid of grime. “It can lift a lot of dirt and other contaminants that may have embedded themselves in your concrete,” says Flax. Next, apply professional concrete sealant to protect against the elements, he recommends.
Give your garden and lawn some attention so they can bloom and flourish in the warmer weather.
Closely examine your deck, looking for cracks, loose boards, and shaky railings or stairs. “Structural damage to decks should be addressed immediately,” says Busch. Winter freeze-and-thaw cycles can cause joints and nails to loosen, he notes, so you may need to retighten them.
Only use pressure washers to clean your deck if you’re trained with the equipment, Busch advises. Even durable composite decks can get damaged if there’s too much pressure; the task is best left to professionals.
If you have small amounts of damage on a wood deck, you can sand down the area, then repaint or restain it. “If the majority of the deck is damaged, it may be time to strip off the current finish and reapply a new coat,” says Busch. Spring is the perfect season for this task—aim for a cool day with low humidity.
The first step in preparing for grilling season is to take your barbecue out of storage and remove its cover. If you cleaned it at the end of last season, it should be in good shape. Otherwise, it’s time to put in the elbow grease.
Bring your outdoor furniture out from storage as well. You can get rid of mild mold and grime with a mix of water, soap, and bleach—spray on the mixture and use a nylon-bristled brush to gently scrub before rinsing it off, says Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid. Skip the bleach if you’re cleaning fabric cushions to avoid discoloration, she says.
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Keep your space spruced up and maintain that curb appeal with every season. You will have a proud sense of home and your neighbors will thank you. We love finding great ideas and sharing them with you. Decorating the interior of your home have to be expensive. Hit your local flea markets, thrift shops and yard sales. You will be surprised at the awesome decor items people are practically throwing away. Below are a few of the items we found on Amazon that you might like. Amazon is a great place to start. Thousands of sellers selling just about anything you can imagine. We hope this has inspired you to maintain your most valuable asset, your home…
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