Cleary Company: Design Build Remodel

Tag: home maintenance checklist columbus oh

  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

    Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

    Your home is likely your largest asset and you probably plan on spending many years living there. So then, why not protect your investment? Over the past 27 years, The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build in Columbus Ohio has seen many great homes with hidden damage that could’ve been prevented with proper home maintenance.

    Home maintenance is one of those things that’s easy to forget or put off because many tasks only need to be done once in a while or a few times a year. Water damage is the number 1 culprit that weakens your home’s foundation, the very core that holds your house together. Before you forget, review the following checklist of recommended home maintenance items you should complete in April & May to protect your home and keep your family safe.

    Staying on top of your home’s maintenance can prevent future expensive repairs.

    April:

    • Wash windows – Winter weather can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home. Washing the windows will rid your home of some exterior grime but you may also uncover minor or major damage from snow & ice. We recommend the squeegee method shown in this video. Make sure water is not getting inside your home. Replace any damaged caulking or flashing immediately.
    • Clean gutters & downspouts – Spring showers are great for bringing winter foliage and flowers back to life however you do not want that water to penetrate your home. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear of any debris will move any falling water away from your home. HouseLogic.com has many helpful DIY home maintenance tips as well as step-by-step instructions for cleaning your gutters. Again while you are cleaning the gutters and downspouts, inspect for any damage and promptly make repairs as needed.
    • Check foundation, basement walls & exterior siding for any cracks or leaks – Water is no friend to wood, stucco, concrete, etc. Keeping your home’s foundation dry is important in maintaining your home’s integrity. Watch this video to learn how to spot issues which can lead to problems and when it’s best to call a professional. Some types of cracks, when ignored, can lead to severe damage.

    May:

    • Pressure wash your deck – Removing any mold or moss will help with extending your deck’s longevity and also keep your family and guests safe. After washing is completed inspect your deck for stains, hazards or water damage and make repairs as needed.
    • Inspect clothes dryer vents –  Check the exterior vent outlet for blockages due to lint or other debris and remove. Here’s a handy tutorial from wikiHow!
    • Check smoke & CO2 detectors & fire extinguishers – According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month and batteries should be replaced at least twice a year. If you have hardwired detectors it is recommended they be upgraded after 10 years. Most fire extinguishers last between 5 and 15 years, according to manufacturers. Check the tag on your extinguisher for dates and manufacturer’s instructions. A fire extinguisher with a gauge should be checked every month to make sure it is properly charged.

    If you, a neighbor or family member needs financial assistance maintaining a home, Modcon Living’s Safe at Home program can help! The program offers quality emergency repairs and home modifications to homeowners, with priority to seniors and physically disabled who have limited income, to live in safe and healthy homes. Services are provided by dedicated volunteers, professional contractors, and staff at no cost to qualified homeowners.

  • Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

    Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

    Winter is just around the corner. Is your home ready to withstand freezing temperatures and harsh weather? What can you do this fall to make sure your family is warm and dry this winter? Chief Operations Officer, Aaron Enfinger, CR says, “Maintenance on the outside of your home is much more pleasant to complete in the fall when the temperatures are mild. No one wants to be (or should be) on their roof during winter weather’s snow and ice!”

    Our Team, your Columbus, Ohio home remodeling experts, list the top 3 must-do’s to maintain and protect your home from old man winter.

    Clean your gutters & inspect your roof.

    Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen you’ll need to clear your gutters of debris and make sure gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water. It is also a good idea to tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Now is also the time to replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts.

    If you find colored grit from asphalt roof shingles in your gutters, beware, it may be time for a roofing replacement. Be safe and do a quick inspection of your roof. Look for warning signs of shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing and rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately.

    Check drainage around your foundation & disconnect garden hoses. 

    Take a close look at the soil around your foundation and be sure soil doesn’t touch your siding and there should be a slope away from your house of at least 6 vertical inches over 10 feet. That way, you’ll keep water from saturating the soil and prevent cracks and leaks around your foundation.

    Turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets and disconnect hoses. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may let water enter the faucet. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If freezing temps hit, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes. Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn’t sneak up and cause damage.

    Seal air leaks & inspect your furnace.

    Sealing air leaks around cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house not only saves energy, but prevents moisture from getting inside your walls. This is one of the most important tasks for preventing costly repairs from water damage.

    Scheduling an appointment with a heating and cooling pro is the easiest way to get your heating system checked and tuned up for winter’s cold temperatures. An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and shaves 20% off the cost of a single visit. Also to make sure your furnace is running at its highest efficiency you should change your furnace filters every two months anyway and if you haven’t, now’s the time!

    Protect your home and stay warm this winter by following our fall home maintenance checklist. For more information and a detailed winter prep checklist read HouseLogic’s Fall Home Maintenance article. 

    Need help with any of these tasks? Contact us today for trusted handyman referrals!

  • Interior Home Maintenance Checklist

    Interior Home Maintenance Checklist

    This Late Summer To-Do List Will Help Transition Your Home into Fall

    Just because most schools in our area are in session, it doesn’t mean summer is over. August in Ohio is usually hot and muggy so with the late summer heat upon us now is the time to tackle some indoor maintenance items. The following checklist will spruce up these often-neglected spaces and keep the dust to a minimum in your home. These tasks can also save you as much as $100 a year on your electric bill if you do them regularly.

    1. Replace Air Conditioner Filter. It’s important to replace the air filter on your central heating/cooling system every one to three months to keep the system operating efficiently. The arrows on an air filter indicate the direction of air flow. Click here for a DIY video.
    2. Check Air Conditioner Drain Lines. You’ll want water to move freely thru the line. Sometimes dust and debris can accumulate near the floor drain so cleaning the drain screen is usually all that is needed.
    3. Clean Bathroom Vents. Removing dust from the covers will help them run quietly and efficiently.
    4.  Clean Range Hood Filter & Fan. You’ll need hot soapy water for this dirty task. Citrus-based cleaners work well as they help cut through grease build up.
    5. Clean Refrigerator Coils. Use a vacuum to remove dust from underneath and behind your fridge.

    For more seasonal maintenance tasks click here for the Midwest Summer Seasonal Maintenance Guide from HouseLogic.