Homeowner's Summer Checklist

Summer is finally here! After all the storms this winter, it’s the perfect time to give your home a checkup. Every home needs some maintenance during the year, and most folks also do about one improvement project each year. As you look ahead to the best months for repair and remodeling, a little planning can save you both money and time.

Now is a great time to take pen and paper and go through every room in your home. Check the exterior too. Make a list of every chore that needs to be done. As you complete the chores, check them off the list. Make sure that you delegate some of the work to other members of the household too. For the jobs you can’t do yourself, hire a professional.

Here are answers to some of the most common maintenance questions:

Q: I barely have time to deal with the obvious repair items, how am I supposed to find time to do a thorough inspection of my home?

A: Most people who use the checklist as an organizing tool report that it ultimately saves time. When you know the full range of projects you face, you can group projects. How many times have you had a plumber out for one problem, like clearing a drain or fixing a leak; but forgotten to get him to fix a toilet or change a washer at the same time? If you have a complete “to do” list, you’ll get all your plumbing problems taken care of in just one visit by the plumber. This is true for electrical projects as well. For small painting and carpentry jobs, you can save a huge amount of time by getting it all done as one project.

Q: My heating and air conditioning company sells a service plan that includes a spring tune-up. Is that necessary or just a way to get more money out of me?

A: Many heating and air conditioning companies sell such services. If you still have the paperwork that came with the your unit, it will include recommended maintenance. Most units do not require annual, professional maintenance. However, there are simple things you can and should do yourself. Most important, you should keep the outside unit clear of debris, vines and shrubs. Filters should be cleaned or changed following the manufacturers schedule.

Many people opt to have annual servicing by a professional firm to reduce the chances of a breakdown during a period of heavy use.. The technician can often spot problems before they are noticeable to you, and by taking care of it on the spot, prevent a system failure at a time when it might be very hard to get a technician out to your home.

Q: My house just needs one or two minor repairs and I can’t find anyone who’s willing to do such small jobs. What can I do?

A: If you take the time to look over your whole home, you’ll probably find there are quite a few minor things. Besides repairs, there might be small improvements as well; things like adding a shelf in the pantry, replacing faulty kitchen cabinet handles, or adding a longer handrail to the back steps.

If you take a little time you will usually find that you can put together a bundle of small jobs that starts to be pretty attractive to a carpenter or handy person. If you are planning a more significant project this season, such as a deck or porch enclosure, it is fairly easy to get the small items taken care of in conjunction with the larger project.

Q: I’m a retired widow and my husband used to take care of all the house things. I don’t think I can do an inspection myself. What can I do?

A: Working with a good checklist, almost everyone can inspect his or her own home. While you won’t be as effective as someone with more experience, you’ll get better every time you do it. It’s a good idea to get more familiar with your home, and doing an inspection is an ideal way to start. If you need help, enlist a trusted neighbor or a family member.

By making a list and setting a goal to complete it, you’ll get a lot more work done then you would if you don’t have a written plan. As the old saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! With a written list, you’ll enjoy a great feeling of accomplishment once every item on the list is crossed off. Have a great summer.

Traffic Lanes On Your Carpets

Understanding Traffic Lanes And Traffic Patterns And What Can Be Done About Them

Often, we forget that carpeting is a textile, just like our upholstery, linens and clothing. When we pay $50 for jeans, we are not upset when the seat and knees become threadbare. Why, on the other hand, do we feel that carpet should last a lifetime? After all, it is a fabric, similar to other products made from textiles.

           

The main reason a carpet shows signs of premature wear is because of improper maintenance. If major traffic lanes were vacuumed more frequently and spots and spills were cleaned properly, carpeting would look better and last longer.

           

Traffic lanes and patterns are usually caused by the following factors: Traffic lane gray, soiling, matting and wear. We will review each problem, how it is caused and what can be done to prevent it.

Traffic Lane Gray

Carpets are known to eventually show signs of wear. This wear creates an illusion of soiling, which often causes frustration and misunderstanding between homeowners and carpet care experts. Even though a carpet has been cleaned, it doesn’t mean that it will look the same as the rest of the carpet. Wear often causes what is known as traffic lane gray, a condition that has been nicknamed “ugly out.”

There is not a lot that a carpet care expert can do with “ugly out.” If a 10-year-old carpet is cleaned, you have a clean 10-year-old carpet. Just as a clean pair of old jeans will show wear and discoloration around the knees, a clean old carpet will show signs of wear in the traffic lanes.

Soiling

The main cause of traffic lane soiling is tracking in soil, dust, airborne pollutants, and food and beverages spilled on the carpet.

Soil damages a carpet as well as making it look dirty. The main problem caused by soil is called fiber abrasion. Fiber abrasion is created by dirt particles scratching and scraping the fiber surface. Scratches and scrapes block light reflection causing these areas to look even dirtier and gray. The easiest way to prevent soil from damaging the fiber is to vacuum regularly.

Matting

There comes a point when carpet fibers no longer return to their original shape. As fibers lose their shape, they begin to look twisted, frayed or distorted, causing the carpet to look dirtier and gray. The easiest way to avoid matting is to vacuum and rake the carpet often. Rearranging furniture also helps to prevent traffic lanes and patterns.

Wear

Wear is a combination of several things. Soil, heavy traffic, loss of fibers, improper vacuuming, improper cleaning and time… all contribute to a worn carpet.

Regular Maintenance

The best way to prevent excessive wear is to properly maintain your carpet. Vacuum every day if possible. Vacuuming removes loose soil before it becomes embedded in the fiber. Removal of abrasive soils from the carpet helps extend its life.