Give Your House a Little Love

February is Valentine’s month, so why not give your house a little love?  Protect and maintain your investment with these easy & inexpensive maintenance tips, and get a head start on your spring cleaning too!

• CLEAN REFRIGERATOR COILS.  Located on the bottom front or back of the refrigerator, clean coils keep the unit running efficiently.  While you’re at it, clean the top and underneath the fridge to jumpstart to your spring cleaning!
• HVAC FILTERS.  Filters should be cleaned or replaced monthly by an HVAC contractor.  Disposable (cardboard) filters can be thrown away and replaced with new; reusable filters can be cleaned, dried, and replaced.  Regular routine maintenance will lower utility bills, improve system productivity, and keep dust, allergens, & bacteria out of the air you breathe. Professionals can help you with this (check it out here).
• CLEAN DRYER VENT.  Unplug your dryer and scoot it away from the wall to access the vent.  Clean the vent and flexible hose (a shop vac works great).  While you’re there you might as well clean underneath the dryer–maybe you’ll find all those socks you’ve lost!  The exterior vent should be kept clean and lint-free as well. 
• CLEAR DRAINS.  For liquid drain cleaning, shake 1-2 Tbsp of baking soda into each drain, then pour 1/4 cup white vinegar on top.  Let stand for 30 minutes, then pour hot water down drain to rinse it clean. If your drain is clogged, you may need to contact a plumber to inspect it (get it now..). For water heaters and other plumbing concerns, you may check out sites like https://nanceservices.net/plumbing/water-heaters/ or look up residential plumbing in Taylors, SC for professional help.
• CLEAN CARPETS.  Occasionally your carpets will need a deep cleaning.  A professional cleaning can extend the life of your carpet, remove dirt and allergens, and freshen the look of your whole house.  If you’re in the Tri-Cities, we recommend Pur Clean for fantastic professional cleaning.
• CHECK SMOKE DETECTORS.  Check each smoke detector and have a plan to replace batteries regularly (Daylight Savings time works well for biannual checks).  Keep batteries on hand for easy replacement when you hear the high-pitched chirp that signals a low battery! 
• CAULKING.  Check caulking inside and out.  Exterior–recaulk along windows and doors as needed using exterior caulking.  If you can’t match the color of your house or trim, make sure you get paintable caulking.  Interior–check caulking along windows, bathtubs, showers, and toilets.  Cracked or discolored caulking can be scraped off and reapplied for a clean look and improved seal. 

Besides maintenance, you can also show love to your house by remodeling a room or perhaps installing new features. You can try searching for solar powered gate opener installers near me. You should also check you electrical wirings for safety (find more info here). 

These easy maintenance chores will keep your home safer, cleaner, protected, running more efficiently, and ready to sell when the time is right.  Homes that are properly maintained are more desirable to buyers. That’s why most homeowners contact a well-known cleaning company to ensure the cleanliness of their homes. Give us a call for more information on keeping your home maintained or to prepare it for sale.