Spring maintenance for your home

With spring just around the corner, it’s important to maintain both the inside and outside of our homes.

Below are a few easy tips to get your home ready for spring:

Outside

• Clean and remove debris from your window wells, rain gutters and down spouts.
• Trim back overhanging tree limbs and overgrown shrubs around your home. If you are in a wildfire-prone area be sure to trim all vegetation at least 100 ft. from your home.
• Inspect and clean up debris surrounding your air conditioner. If you detect any problems, schedule to have your air conditioner serviced.
• Turn on your outdoor water faucets and sprinkler system., Check the main lines and sprinkler heads for any sign of leakage and make necessary repairs.
• If you have a wood deck, now is the time to clean and inspect the wood for stains or warping. Remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter and replace damaged wood. Consider restaining your deck before you bring out the patio furniture!
• Clean off your concrete and apply a sealer. Visit our post  Maintain and protect your concrete for more great tips.

Inside

• Change your furnace air filter. A clear filter will increase your homes air flow and increase your furnace’s energy efficiency.
• Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries.
• Inspect washer hoses and clean your dryer vents inside and outside your home. Washer hoses should be replaced every five years and dryer vents should be thoroughly cleaned every six months. This will make your appliances last longer, use less energy, and run safely.
• Clean and reseal tile floors, showers and counter tops.

Energy Saving Ideas

With Christmas just around the corner, who couldn’t use a little extra money?

Here are a few tips to not only help you save money but, to save energy around your home:

1. Turn down your water heater, it can be lowered to 120° F. Not only will this save energy and money, but it will be safer for your family.

2. If not using appliances and electronics, faithfully unplug them. Also, consider using a power strip so you will only have one switch to turn off.

3. Lower your thermostat when away from home and at night. Be sure not to go lower than 55°F when away on vacation, you don’t want your pipes to freeze!

4. Seal around windows and doors to prevent air leaks (drafts).

5. Change your air filter at least every 3 months (for more information refer to "Here are a few easy tips to get your home ready for winter").

6. Replace light bulbs in your high usage areas with Energy Star CFL bulbs.

7. Add extra insulation in the attic to reduce both heating and cooling expenses.

If you are planning on building a new home, Jake Hulet Construction can help you become more energy efficient from day one! Whether that is by choosing Low-E Energy Star windows or installing a 90% efficient furnace, Jake Hulet Construction can meet your needs!

For more energy saving ideas, go to www.energystar.gov

Maintain and protect your concrete by following these 8 easy steps:

Proper maintenance of your concrete is important and can greatly extend the life and beauty.
Maintain and protect your concrete driveways, walks and patios by following these 8 easy tips:

1. Keep your concrete clean by sweeping off dirt and debris.
2. Use a power washer to thoroughly clean your concrete.
3. Once your cement is at least 30 days old, apply a sealer to keep water out and prevent stains.
4. Remove snow and ice immediately.
5. When removing snow and ice from your cement, be careful not to scratch or chip the surface.
6. When ice builds up on your concrete, try to avoid using salt and some snow melt products. This may cause the surface of your concrete to flake off.
7. When landscaping, be sure to keep water away from the driveway. You don't want water collecting under your cement which may cause it to sink. 
8. Remember, cement is strong but heavy machinery may be too much!

Here are a few easy tips to get your home ready for winter

Outside Your Home

•  Remove garden hoses from spouts. Drain in-ground sprinkler system
• Clear debris out of window wells, gutters, down spouts. Make sure down spouts are directed away from the home’s foundation.
• Check weather stripping on windows and doors for fit and condition. Replace if necessary.
• Check and clean the chimney.
• Insulate outdoor faucets, pipes in unheated garages, and pipes in crawl spaces.
• Check roof for damage and/or icicles indicating potential ice dams.  
Inside Your Home
• Change your furnace air filter and have it serviced if needed.
• Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries.
• If you are leaving town for the holidays, you want to avoid frozen pipes by not turning the heat down to low.