Home Maintenance - Why Do It

All home owners wonder from time to time why they ever bought a home, particularly when it comes time to perform some maintenance on it.  Like you, I have asked that question many times but given the choice of having a landlord and renting or owning my own home, I prefer owning.  Given that choice, which some may disagree with in today’s market, it means I must maintain it or have the work performed by others.

 

Why should I maintain it in the first place?  Since many pundits say that we should only maintain when something is broken (i.e. if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it), why not wait and save money?  That is of course the $64,000 question.  For a start, our home is generally our largest single investment.  As such, we must protect that investment so that it has the potential to at least maintain its value or maybe even increase in good times.  In today’s market, there is no guarantee of increases in home value but you can bet that if a home is poorly maintained, its value will most likely decrease, even in good times.

What is the break-even point for preventative maintenance vs. breakdown maintenance?  There are of course many ways to respond to this question.  One is to say that breakdowns always seem to come at the worst possible time and lead to the highest cost and discomfort to perform.  My experience is that breakdowns are like this and are a perfect example of Murphy’s Law (i.e. if something bad can happen, it will always come at the worst time and with the worst consequences).    An example of this is when our central air conditioning unit fails during the heat of the summer.  This is usually a time when a repair man is at his highest utilization, highest cost and availability is limited.  As a result, we become very uncomfortable for a longer period of time and end up paying more for the repair because parts are probably equally longer for delivery when something major happens.  An example of preventive maintenance in this case is when we service this equipment before every season to increase the odds that no issues will come up in the winter and summer.  By preventing major issues, we get three major results:  1) equipment will last longer improving the amortization of the original cost, 2) we will not be out the major cost of breakdown repairs and 3) we will not be inconvenienced with failed equipment.

Should we perform the maintenance ourselves or have others do it for us?  This question also has multiple answers.  Do you enjoy doing repairs around the house?  Do you have the knowledge and time to perform maintenance on your property?  If the answer is yes to both, then by all means you should do it on your own.  Enjoying the performance of work is always best when you can do it for yourself and your family.   Do you not have the time or inclination to self perform home maintenance?  If you answer yes, then you need to hire a professional to do it for you.

Whatever your choice, maintenance is critical for your home as it helps maintain your home’s value and your potential return on your investment.  In addition, you will likely find that you enjoy your home much more as a result of the process.  Now go have fun!

Tips for Spring Gardening

Spring Gardening Tips

Follow the 10 tips outlined below for a welcoming garden that's filled with color and fragrance -- and song.

Survey the Yard

Make note of tree limbs that should be removed or cabled, especially those that overhang structures. Hire an arborist to maintain large trees.Cut down last year's perennial foliage, and toss it into the compost pile. Rake mulch from beds planted with bulbs before foliage appears, and refresh mulch in other planting areas after soil warms. Check fences, steps, and pathways for disrepair caused by freezing and thawing.

Order Tools and Plants

Tune up tools so everything is ready when things start growing. Make note of what is missing, and order tools for the new growing season. Choose new plants for the garden. Order perennials, trees, and shrubs for spring planting.

Get Ready to Mow

 Send the mower and leaf blower for servicing, or if you have the right tools, sharpen the mower blades yourself. Refill your mower with oil, install fresh spark plugs, and lubricate moving parts if necessary. Clear the lawn of winter debris, and look for areas that need reseeding before mowing.

Prune Trees and Shrubs

Remove dead, damaged, and diseased branches from woody plants. Thin and trim summer-blooming shrubs such as butterfly bush, hydrangea, and most roses, except for old-fashioned once bloomers. Prune cold-damaged wood after plants resume spring growth. Prune spring-blooming shrubs and trees after flowering.

Take a Soil Test

Check soil pH with a home soil- test kit, taking several samples from different planting areas for an accurate reading. Enrich soil as necessary: Add dolomitic lime to raise the pH or elemental sulfur to lower the pH.
Prepare New BedsClear the planting area as soon as soil can be worked, removing sod or weeds and debris. Spread a 4-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure and any amendments over soil, and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches with a spading fork.

Plant

Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and perennials such as hostas and daylilies by early spring. Choose a cool, cloudy day if possible. Transplant container-grown plants anytime during the growing season except midsummer; be sure to water them thoroughly. Sow seeds of cool-season flowers like sweet peas, poppies, and calendula, and vegetables such as lettuce, parsley, and spinach.

Fertilize

Apply balanced fertilizer (6-6-6 or 8-8-8), fish emulsion, or other soil amendments recommended by soil-test results around trees and shrubs when new growth appears. Spread high-acid fertilizer and pine-needle mulch around acid-loving shrubs like azaleas and camellias. Begin fertilizing perennials when active growth resumes.

Start a Compost Pile

Start a compost pile, or use a compost bin, if you don't have one already. Begin by collecting plant debris and leaves raked up from the garden. Chop these up first to speed decomposition. Add equal amounts "brown" (carbon-rich) materials like dried leaves and straw and "green" (nitrogen-rich) materials like grass clippings and weeds in even layers with water and a compost bioactivator. Turn regularly. Continue adding to the pile throughout the season for rich, homemade compost next spring.

Clean Bird Feeders and Baths

Disinfect the feeders by scrubbing with weak bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach: 2 gallons warm water). Rinse and dry the feeders thoroughly before refilling them.Scrub birdbaths with bleach solution, then rinse them thoroughly and refill, changing water weekly. Clean birdbaths and feeders regularly throughout the season.

Guide to Spring Home Maintenance

The Slackers' Guide to Spring Home Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is crucial to the value of your home. Keep your place in tip-top shape with regular check-ups to save you the headache and cost of emergency repairs.

• Reprinted from HGTV 

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

Divert Water

Gutters do their job best when clean. Check yours for foliage build-up, particularly if trees hover over the roof. The rainy season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris. Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to moss and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls. While you’re at it, make sure the downspout is clean and pointing 2-2-1/2 feet away from foundation walls.

Retain the Roof

It’s easy to take for granted the one thing that shields you from the elements. But doing so could cost you unnecessary repair costs. Be diligent about roof maintenance. After the next rainy day, inspect your ceiling for wet spots. Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear. "If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof," according to Dan Cornwell, president of CC&L Roofing in Portland, Ore.

Check Your Paint Job
 

Look for chipped, cracked paint along the exterior of your home. "The worse thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot," says Brian Gummel, president of The Painting Company in Edgewater, Md. Scrape off any failing paint. Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with a high quality paint product. Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt. Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut Shrubs and Trees
 

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture. Branches should be at least 7 feet away from the exterior of your house to prolong the life of your siding and roof. Get rid of out-of-control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love Your Lawn
 

Rake up the excess leaves you didn’t get around to last fall. Too many can suffocate your grass and stop it from growing. "Pull up weeds, and remove foilage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants," says Neal Julien, landscaping expert with Neal Works Landscaping in Capitol Heights, Md. Pull up dead flowers and replace them with a low-maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.

INDOOR MAINTENANCE

Keep the Air Fresh

With warm, sticky days ahead, do yourself a favor and give your air conditioning unit a little TLC. Not only does it cool you down, but an efficient air conditioner removes moisture and humidity from your home, which in excess, can damage its foundation. So if you aren’t changing air filters monthly, start now. A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill. While you’re there, check hose connections for leaks. Make sure the drain pans are draining freely. If you suspect a problem, contact a certified technician.

Watch Windows and Doors
 

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials. Neglecting these tasks can open up potential for environmental hazards like mold growth, experts say.

Control Pests
 

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home. "Do what you would do inside, and get rid of junk," says Genma Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control in Hermitage, Tenn. Inside, check the house for entrances and gaps where mice and insects may be tempted to come through. Seal up cracks, even if you just did so in the winter. Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. "It’s good to keep a barrier between your mulch and your home," she says.

Take a Peek at the Plumbing
 

Except for a coffee maker, anything dripping in your house is a bad sign. Check for leaking faucets or sweating pipes, clogged drains and faulty water drainage systems. On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks, and make note of wetness around the dishwasher. Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Tackle the Tiles

While you’re in spring-cleaning mode, pay attention to worn grout between floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair later. If necessary, re-seal as soon as possible. For the bath, get into the habit of wiping down shower walls and tub after each use to eliminate soap and scum build-up.