“Before you start to redecorate a room, take some time to really think about the space and plan properly.”
DC Metro Realty Team – Denise Buck & Ed Johnson
Tag Archives: Home Maintenance
5 Tips for Proper Lawn Care for Winter
“Even in the Winter there are steps you can take to help your lawn in the Spring.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – Dc Metro Realty Team
Originally Published by American Home Shield
Love your lawn, but hate how winter makes it a brown mess when spring arrives? Use these tips to protect your grass in winter so you’ll have green grass in spring.
Sure, you’ve likely mowed for the last time until spring, but that doesn’t mean you’re finished preparing the lawn for winter. (Don’t worry; you don’t have to do nearly as much lawn maintenance in the cooler months.) Become a pro at knowing how to take care of the lawn in winter — and help ensure you’ll be able to enjoy lush, green grass when springtime rolls around — by following these five simple winter lawn care tips.
1. Cut Down On — or Eliminate — Scheduled Watering
Depending on where you live, your lawn may not need any additional watering in the wintertime, now that the weather is cooler. If you are in a warmer climate, simply reduce how often and how long you water the lawn. If you’re in a cooler climate, stop your sprinklers altogether. Watering doesn’t help if the water ends up freezing anyway.
2. Keep Your Lawn Tidy
Another great way to prepare your lawn for winter is to make sure your lawn stays clean and neat. That includes removing furniture, toys, branches, leaves and other debris. They can smother the grass, create conditions conducive to diseases and invite pests — resulting in a not-so-gorgeous yard in the spring. In addition, remove any weeds that pop up. If you live in a region with warm-season grass, yours has probably turned a buff color in its dormancy, making it easy to spot those pesky green invaders.
Bonus Tip: Along with removing anything that doesn’t belong on the grass, also remedy or eliminate any places where water can collect around the yard. Otherwise, you may end up with a mosquito infestation when the weather warms up, as standing water sources are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
3. Leave the Snow
A snow-covered lawn doesn’t just look pretty; it’s actually beneficial for your grass. In fact, a blanket of snow is just that — a blanket. It helps to insulate the grass and ground from the crisp, bitter winter air.
Related: Protect Your Home Against Snow
4. Watch Where You Shovel
If your area gets heavy snow, shoveling that snow is a regular part of your routine. Did you know that shoveling snow from salted areas onto your lawn can cause damage to your grass, though? If it’s necessary for your driveway and walkways and you can’t avoid getting it on your grass, one of the best winter lawn care tips to consider is using calcium chloride–based mixtures versus sodium chloride–based ones.
5. Avoid Excessive Traffic
Repeated walking or driving over snow-covered or frozen turf can damage the existing grass and leave bare spots in the spring. Never park a car on the lawn, and make sure everyone who visits walks along your driveway and walkways instead of your grass.
Want to learn more ways to lawn prep for winter? Find out how to protect your plants this winter.
Your Total Home Organizing and Decluterring Guide
“It’s that time of the year again…time to get organized. The holidays are over and Winter is setting in, time to take advantage of the time you have.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – Dc Metro Realty Team
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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5 Holiday Hosting Disasters and How to Avoid Them
Why does the oven go kaput on a holiday? No worries. Here’s how to go on the offense now. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
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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How to Clean Up After Thanksgiving in Half the Time
The Pilgrims were on to something when they planned a Thanksgiving potluck; here are other good ideas that’ll simplify your T-Day kitchen cleanup. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
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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10 Clever Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
Non-toxic. Low-cost. Hydrogen peroxide is your cleaning arsenal’s secret weapon. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
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.
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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Patio Shade Ideas Under $300
Not all shady deals are bad. These patio shade projects are each under $300. Read
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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.
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.
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.