Category Archives: Home Maintenance

5 Holiday Hosting Disasters and How to Avoid Them

“We’ve all either experienced the ‘Holiday Disaster’, or heard about them.  Learn how to prevent them from being part of your holiday memories!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

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Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

6 Simple Steps to Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests

“When you have guests coming during the holidays, do a little planning that to make the visit more enjoyable for everyone.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

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Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

How to Clean Up After Thanksgiving in Half the Time

“Everyone loves Thanksgiving, but no one enjoys cleaning up afterwards.  Here are some tips to reduce that effort.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

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Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

How to Protect Your Plants This Winter

“It’s time to start thinking about winterizing your outdoor plants.  Not sure what to keep and what to get rid of, or how to do it.  Check this out for some great tips.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson

Originally published by American Home Shield

Love your plants, but they hate the cold? Whether you have an outdoor garden or potted plants, follow these tips to protect your blooms from the winter cold.

Winterize your plants

As the temperatures drop and the days grow short, you should be thinking about how to winterize your plants. What’s the best way to protect your greenery from colder weather?

Many of your established plants don’t need much special attention to survive the winter. However, for tender plants and new additions to your garden or landscaping, winterizing is essential.

You can ensure the survival of even your hardiest plants for many seasons to come by taking a few preventative measures.

Know your temperature zone

Knowing your area’s average annual temperature extremes is essential to successful winterizing. This information is readily available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website — just look for your state and county.

Apply mulch

The best way to begin the winterizing process is by mulching. Mulch insulates the soil and prevents frost heave, a condition that occurs when soil repeatedly freezes and thaws. Plant heave exposes plant crowns and roots to freezing air and drying winds.

When applying mulch, aim for a layer that’s three to five inches deep, or even deeper for colder regions. Use material that won’t compact. Good candidates are bark, leaf litter, clean hay, straw or even recycled rubber.

Also, while mulching, trim your perennials back and pull up the annuals to eliminate hiding places for pests and plant diseases.

Get rid of the intruders

Remove any weeds and place them in a sealed container for disposal, not in your compost pile. Weeds compete with desirable plants for precious natural resources and are often more difficult to eradicate once they re-establish themselves in the spring. Weeds are also often a sign of underlying issues with your soil. For example, soil needs air if it is to remain healthy. Soils compacted by weeds and their roots can become choked.

Protect the potted plants

Before the first freeze, bring in any potted tropical and semi-tropical plants you’ve enjoyed outside during the spring and summer. Before doing so, however, it’s a good idea to apply a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to remove pests and their eggs from the plants. Once indoors, give your plants as much light as you can, but be careful not to overwater. Plants grow slower during winter and consequently don’t require as much water. If a few leaves turn yellow and drop, don’t panic. The dimmer indoor light means the plants don’t need as many leaves as they would if they were outdoors.

Take care of the bulbs

Some plants grow from special underground structures known as bulbs. These bulbs contain the nutrients the plant needs to thrive on a seasonal basis. Most bulbs you’ll find in your yard flower in the spring and die back to ground level in the fall. Daffodils, tulips, crocuses and irises all grow from bulbs. Although bulbs have a reputation for being easy to maintain, they do have temperature limits and need protection from winter’s freeze.

Wait until the foliage yellows. Then dig up the bulbs, remove any clinging dirt and then set the bulbs out to dry. (Old newspapers are great for this purpose.) Bulbs need about two weeks to complete this process and enter dormancy. After two weeks, place the bulbs in a wooden or cardboard box. Take care to separate the bulbs as much as possible to prevent the spread of disease or rot. Cover the bulbs with peat moss, sawdust or sand until they’re ready to be replanted.

Save the shrubs

Tender shrubs should be wrapped in burlap or agricultural cloth to protect them from a prolonged freeze. Avoid using plastic as it does not breathe and can create greenhouse conditions that literally cook your plants. Remove the burlap or cloth when the temperature starts to rise to avoid overheating.

Protect young trees

The bark of newly planted trees, especially fruit trees, is very thin. To protect the bark from cracking as day/night temperatures fluctuate, cover them with tree wrap or tree guards.

Don’t forget the pots

Don’t forget any empty clay pots left behind outdoors. Clay pots breathe, absorbing and releasing water, and that’s why plants grow so well in them. When they freeze, they develop cracks and can eventually shatter. Bring them indoors for the winter or store them somewhere outdoors where they won’t get wet.

10 Clever Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

“Next to Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide is the best multi-cleaning agent you should have in your house.  Check out all the ways to use it.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

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Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

15 Smart Ideas From Beautifully Organized Pantries

“Ever wonder what you could do different to make it easier to find things in your pantry?  Check this article out to find several ideas that might just work for you!”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Steps to Clean Your Washing Machine

“It’s something that most of us don’t think about…keeping your Washing Machine clean.  It doesn’t take a ton of effort and the steps you take will ensure you don’t have a mildew problem in the future.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Originally published by American Home Shield

Taking the time to clean your washer and dryer can help make your machines more efficient and even prevent scary fires. See what you can do to keep this essential appliance mildew and danger free.

Someone Cleaning Font-Loading Washing Machine

The inside of your washing machine has to be one of the cleanest spots in your home, right? All that soapy hot water swishing around and rinsed again and again. Probably a good place to keep leftovers (we kid, we kid). But wait? What’s the perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew? One that’s dark, warm and moist. Uh-oh — that’s the washing machine.

Have you noticed that your washing machine smells? Do your clothes smell after being washed? It looks like it’s a good time to learn how to clean a washing machine.

Yep, It’s a Dirty Washing Machine

First things first: How did your washing machine get dirty? Well, today’s washing machines are made to conserve water. If you are used to dumping in a lot of detergent out of habit (or from thinking that your clothes will get cleaner with more soap), you’re likely using too much. With the reduced amount of water, the detergent may not be breaking down fully, leaving a coat of soap on the tub and possibly damaging your machine. Likewise, if you have a tendency to leave wet clothes in the washer, it’s a real possibility that you’ve welcomed some mold and mildew growth.

You should always follow the washer manufacturer’s instructions on the type and amount of detergent to use. Newer, high-efficiency washers use special detergent made for those machines. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to use washing machine cleaner tablets every month to help dissolve the soap residue, too. And since mold and mildew are always ready to take advantage of dark, warm, moist environments, you should be ready to move wet clothes from the washer and into the dryer as soon as the wash cycle is complete. Similarly, damp wash cloths, towels and dishtowels should always be hung up to dry before being placed in a clothes hamper. The same goes for wet clothes.

What You’ll Need to Get it Clean

Fortunately, getting that washing machine sparkling only requires these materials:

  • Vinegar
  • Baking Soda (front-loader only)
  • Bleach (top-loader only)
  • Sponge
  • Clean Cloth

How to Clean a Front-Loader

If you have a front-loader washing machine, cleaning is not very difficult.

1.     Set the washer to the hottest, longest setting.

2.     Add two cups of vinegar.

3.     Add one-quarter cup of baking soda.

4.     Start the wash cycle and let it run until it’s complete.

5.     When complete, wipe down the inside and outside surfaces with a damp sponge.

6.     Dry all the surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.

7.     Repeat these steps monthly.

How to Clean a Top-Loader

Cleaning a top-loader washing machine is a little more involved than cleaning a front-loader.

1.     Set the washer to the hottest, longest setting.

2.     Add four cups of bleach.

3.     Let the washer fill completely, then stop it and let it soak for a full hour.

4.     Turn it back on after an hour, and let it complete the full wash cycle.

5.     Now start it again, on the hottest, longest setting.

6.     Add four cups of vinegar.

7.     Let the washer fill completely, then stop it and let it soak for an hour.

8.     At the end of an hour, take a sponge and dip it in the vinegar water from the tub.

9.     Use the sponge to clean all the exposed surfaces, including the detergent or softener basket and the lip of the tub.

10.  Now start it again, and let it run through the complete wash cycle.

11.  When complete, dry the interior with a clean, dry cloth.

12.  Repeat these steps monthly.

Patio Shade Ideas Under $300

“Most of us are looking for ways to extend our living space to outside.  Creating an inexpensive shaded area is an easy way to to that.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

 

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Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

How Long Do HVAC Systems Last?

“This is a common question for us, and it’s not always a simple answer.  Take a read and learn how to help make your last longer with just a little maintenance.”

Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team

Buying a home with a mature AC unit? Learn how long most HVAC systems tend to last and how you can maintain it better.

Hvac unit outside home

Chronological age isn’t the only factor to consider when it comes to determining how long your HVAC system should last. Your furnace should last longer than your air conditioner, but you can extend the life of your entire HVAC system with regular maintenance and timely repairs.

Your System’s Lifespan

The average lifespan of a furnace today is about 15 to 20 years. A heat pump should last about 16 years, and an AC unit should last 10 to 20 years.

Regular HVAC maintenance can help you identify potential problems before they become serious enough to shorten the life of your system. You can do some maintenance tasks, such as changing your HVAC filter, yourself. If you have pets, or if someone in your home has allergies, change it every month. Otherwise, change it every three to six months.

Other tasks, such as a yearly furnace and AC tune-up, are best left to the professionals. An HVAC contractor can clean the condenser and evaporator coils on your AC unit and examine it for signs of damage. If your AC needs repair, it’s best to figure that out before it fails completely. If you have a home warranty with American Home Shieldâ, you can relax knowing our contractor network can help with your AC maintenance.

Routine AC maintenance should take place early in the spring, so your unit will work properly from the very first day you turn it on and so you can avoid breakdowns during the summer, when you depend on your AC to keep you comfortable. The same goes for maintaining your furnace. Schedule an HVAC tune-up for your furnace before cold weather sets in, so you can avoid breakdowns that will leave you in the cold.

Upgrading to a New System

If your AC unit is more than 15 years old or if your furnace is more than 20 years old, it may be time to upgrade to a new system, especially if something breaks. When you figure in the cost of labor, some repairs, like replacing a condenser or evaporator coil in your air conditioner, can be just as costly or even more expensive than replacing the unit entirely.

Homeowners in some areas face the prospect of upgrading a legacy HVAC system to a more modern one. For example, you may have a coal or oil furnace that was installed 50 years ago and should have been replaced 20 years ago. Replacing this system will do more than save you from coping with an unexpected breakdown. It may also significantly lower your heating costs, especially for systems that rely on fuels that are now very expensive, like heating oil.

Likewise, you may want to replace your heat pump or evaporative cooler with a new AC unit, which will last about as long, perhaps even a little longer, than your old system. It will also function more efficiently, saving you money. The sooner you replace your legacy system, the sooner you can begin reaping the benefits of lower energy bills.

Top of HVAC system

Factors that Affect Your AC System’s Life

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your system. These days, the climatic conditions most units must deal with have changed from 20 or 30 years ago. The weather is getting warmer, but that’s not the only issue. Off-gassing – the release of airborne particulates from common household products – often occurs with chemicals in newly constructed or newly renovated homes and cleaning supplies, all of which can affect your unit’s lifespan.

The chemicals used in the manufacture of building components today can cause the copper condenser coils inside of indoor AC units to corrode more quickly. Modern building methods also mean that houses aren’t as drafty as they once were, so there’s less air flow through your home. While that’s great news for your energy bill, it also means that chemicals from cleaning products and new building components can remain in your home longer. For these reasons, outdoor air conditioning units tend to last longer than indoor units.

Of course, another big factor that affects the life of your HVAC is how you use it. In many parts of the country, homeowners only use their air conditioning for a few months out of the year. An AC unit in Pennsylvania, for example, that only gets used for four or five months of the year will last longer than one in Arizona that gets used 24 hours a day all year long. That second air conditioner simply experiences more wear and tear in a shorter period of time because it’s used more.