Brick Inspections

On the first day of Spring and the first day of Fall make a note to do a mini inspection of your bricks. (If you own a brick house or have brick decorations)

Check the mortar around the bricks. If you see any that is cracked or powdering away you can repair it with some mortar in a tube.

If you notice that you have some problem areas that you are continually fixing, consider calling a mason and getting an estimate for professional repairs.

Weekly Testing for your House

Ok, we have all been there at one time or another. We have gotten so relaxed with our lives that something goes wrong and we know that we could have prevented it if only we had paid a bit more attention. You can set yourself on a simple schedule to check a few items to help prevent a larger disaster.

Set a day once a week that you walk down the hallway and check your carbon monixide tester (if you have any gas appliance in your you will really want one of these)

Now walk in your utility room and take peek at the hot water heater. Is there any water dripping out of the faucet? Do you see a puddle on the floor? These small drips or puddles can become big trouble if you don't notice them.

Don't forget each time you do laundry to clean out the lint trap. This will help your clothes dry faster, your drier will be more effecient and you will reduce the risk of fire.

Changing out with the time

Ok, we have all heard and change our batteries in smoke detectors when the daylight savings time occurs. How about adding this other item to you list.

Replace furnace filters. Ideally this should be done once a month or once every couple of months depending on where you live.

If you made a note to do this on the time change it is better than not at all.

Keeping the Septic Clean

If you have a septic tank, make a note on your calendar each month to drop enzyme into it. Can't find any enzyme? Just flush one cup of brewers yeast down a toilet once a month.

Do check with your local hardware store and pick up some cleaner expecially for drain lines to septic tanks and cesspools. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you contact a professional if you suspect a leak.

Keeping Pipes Whole

You have heard that people have had pipes break under their houses during the winter and causing lots of damage. You have a well insulate house so you shouldn’t have to worry about it, right?

Wrong! This can happen to anyone in a new house or old. Before the hard freezes of winter hit you need to detach any sprinklers from hoses and then the hoses from the house.

Store your hoses and sprinklers in a shed or on a porch, but not attached to an outside spigot.

Inspecting Siding II

On the first day of Spring and the first day of Fall make a note to do a mini inspection of the siding on your house.

If you have a wood house, check for any signs of insect infestation and peeling or chipped paint.

It is so much easier to touch up a few problem areas with paint than to have to paint the whole house every couple of years.

If you see any signs of insect infestation talk to a professional before it gets out of hand.

Inspecting Siding

On the first day of Spring and the first day of Fall make a note to do a mini inspection of the siding on your house.

If you have Aluminum or Vinyl siding check for staining or chalky residue.

If you see either of these, go down to your home supply store and pick up some siding cleaner.

These are usually relatively inexpensive and some come with applicators that you can just attach to your hose and spray.

Roof/Gutter Inspection

On the first day of Spring and the first day of Fall make a note to do a mini inspection of your roof and gutters.

Walk outside and take a look at your shingles. Are any missing? Discolored? Curled? If you see anything that looks suspicious call a roofer and have them take a peek. A few dollars now might save you a whole roof later. Can’t find a roofer or don’t know who to trust? Go to a roofing supply store and see whom they refer.

Now during the day, take a peek at the gutter from the bottom. Do you see any light between the gutter where it is mounted to the house? If you do, the spike that attach the gutter to the house may need to be replaced. Pull one out and take it to the home supply store and they will be able to help you select the correct product for your project.

Inspecting Windows

On the first day of Spring and the first day of Fall make a note to do a mini inspection of your windows.

Check the caulking around each window. Caulking should be rubbery to the touch. If it feels hard it will need to be replaced.

You can find caulking remover at your local home improvement store as well as new caulking. If you are unfamiliar with how to use find a sales associate that is knowledgeable and ask them to explain the proper usage.

After you have checked all the exteriors, check in the interiors. Take a vacuum cleaner to each window and thoroughly vacuum the track. Use a screwdriver tip to loosen any dead insect carcasses that may not be loose enough to get sucked up.

If you see excess dirt build up in the tracks, wrap a rag around the tip of the screwdriver. Spray the track with a bit of household cleaner and use the screwdriver/rag to clean the track well.

This will keep your windows running smooth all year round.

Easy Leaf Pickup

It is fall, it is cold, and there are a TON of leaves on the ground. You know that you have to rake them up, but you just can't face the rake and bags this year.

Don't! There is a much easier way if your lawnmower has a bag.

I will usually do a walk through of the yard and check for any large twigs or toys. I will use the rake just to pull any leaves from the garden beds into the yard.

Now just place the bag on your lawnmower and crank it up. Mow the leaves just like you would your lawn. The leaves will be caught in the bag and are much easier to distribute as mulch over your gardens for the winter or for placing in your compost bin.

Take the rest of the afternoon off now and enjoy a game with the kids!

Fixing Wobbly Knobs

You have a chest of drawers that has a wobbly knob.

Grab a screw driver and remove the screw from the inside of the cabinet.

Now using nail polish, white glue or wood glue, place a drop in the hole of the knob.

Before the polish or glue dries, replace the screw.

Now when the polish or glue dries, it will securely hold the screw into the knob with out a wobble.