Month: September 2021

Home Maintenance to Focus On to Get Your House Ready for Fall

As a homeowner, especially in the first couple of years, you may find that you have a lot more on your plate, maintenance-wise, than you ever had as a renter. What’s more is that, after a few years, you may be noticing that any fall maintenance you forgot about or delayed is now more pressing and more difficult to do. So what should be top-of-the-list this fall? Here are some options: the top recommendations from HomeLight’s top real estate agents!

Prioritize Wood Damage Repair

When a tree falls and hits your siding, or you notice that some areas of the deck are fading unevenly due to different exposure to the elements, it is time to act. Fixing up a deck can make the whole home feel newer and make you more confident in using it for entertaining. Things like replacing loose or damaged boards, sealing them against water, or staining it to the most attractive shade are all great ways to make your deck better for the long run. 

deck staining and sealing

Do Those Key Indoor Maintenance Items Before You Forget

Every home is a little different, but after a few years, there are always a few things that need cleaning that you might have forgotten. Think about the soft furniture in your home – when was the last time you got upholstery cleaned? Also, systems like dryer vents, air ducts, and carpets can collect dirt over time that either decreases the air quality in your home or reduces efficiency. Getting your carpets cleaned periodically is an excellent way to start feeling better in your own home.

Boost that Curb Appeal if Planning to Sell 

While the above items make your home more liveable and more attractive, there are a few items that can make a home sparkle. Whether this makes you more proud of your home while you continue to live there, or maybe preps you for sale maintenance like power washing sidewalks and siding, gutter cleaning, and window washing can make your home look like a million bucks for a reasonable price. You’d be surprised how much better water routes away from your house’s foundation as well when your gutters are fully clear of leaves and debris. 

Clean-up Your Backyard

Speaking of debris, nothing makes a home look less appealing faster than debris and junk in the yard. In addition to your routine fall maintenance mulching and evaluating the landscape, ensure that you get any junk removed so that your potential buyers have a completely worry-free first impression of the home.

You’ll find that prepping a home for sale requires some maintenance work, but usually, doing that work for the house even when you want to stick around will give you a new perspective. Taking pride in the appearance and functionality of your home is its own reward. Fall is a great time to get some of these projects done since the cooler weather makes it more pleasant to be outdoors and get everything ready before the first snows come. 

Sometimes house maintenances can be overwhelming, and hard to know where to even start. But do not worry My Window Washing can help you plan and complete most of your fall cleaning tasks such as gutter cleaning, window washing, and power washing. If you’re looking for deck maintenance pros, then contact Deck Doc. For a professional carpet cleaning company call My Carpet Cleaning.


Fall Gutter Cleaning Guide: Why It’s Important and How To Do It

Gutter cleaning is an unsung hero that’s crucial to keeping your property in good condition all year long. Rain gutters help protect your house from serious water damage, but if they’re not cleared out and leaves build up in the fall, they’re more likely to damage your home than preserve it. You may even have to deal with serious maintenance issues come spring if you don’t perform an autumn gutter cleaning.

Still not convinced you to need fall gutter cleaning services this year? Here’s everything you should know about gutter cleaning, including more on why it’s so important and how to get the job done. 

fall gutter cleaning
Gutter Cleaning by Hand

How Your Gutters Work and Why They Matter

Gutters are the guards that keep your home from rain and water damage. They’re designed to transport rainwater from your roof and drain the water to the ground through a spout. Then, the water is directed away from the property, and onto the lawn, so it doesn’t pool near the basement and foundation. Without gutters, water would pool on your roof and lead to mold, rot, and deterioration of your roof shingles, fascia, walls, etc.

When you choose to bring in a gutter cleaner for annual fall cleanup, you’re investing in the longevity of your property and minimizing the risk of extensive damage in a few years.

How To Tell If Your Gutters Are In Shape

If your gutters are clogged with debris, you may notice leaves and sticks poking out of them. You also can check to see if there is a lack of water drainage from the downspout. 

However, the fastest and most efficient way to tell if your gutters are in good shape is by calling in the pros. Gutter cleaning companies will assess whether there has been damaged due to clogging and inform you if you need gutter cleaning services right away.

How To Keep Your Gutters Well Maintained

Want to prevent leaks in your home is to keep your gutters well maintained? You can hop on a ladder and clean out any debris that has built up over time. Ideally, it would be best if you cleaned your gutters twice a year in early fall and early spring to prepare for the seasons to come. However, the autumn clean is the most important. Autumn gutter cleaning clears out the pipes right in time for winter and prevents water from freezing inside. 

If you have trees around, it is good to keep them trimmed to prevent excess droppings of leaves, sticks, etc. Keep in mind that even if your trees are trim, wind can still carry unwanted gunk into your drains.

Another step you can take towards having your gutter cleaner than last year is regular roof repairs. If you have a loose shingle, it can end up right in your gutter and block the pathway for water to travel downward. Inspect your roof to see if your shingles are cracking or curling.

How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost?

If climbing up onto your roof to remove a bunch of debris, leaves, and sticks isn’t your thing, or if it has been a while since your drains have been cleaned, you can always call for professional gutter cleaning services to get the job done right. 

Professional gutter cleaning costs between $80-$150 for a single-story 1,500 square-foot house. However, if you regularly use a gutter cleaner, it can save you thousands in damage repairs. According to Home Advisor, the average homeowner can spend up to $5,121 to restore or repair water damage. An autumn cleaning service isn’t even a fraction of the cost to repair extensive damage down the road. 

Conclusion

Disregarding gutter maintenance can lead to more bills to repair your homes’ water damage and even long-lasting health problems from mold and mildew. If you are confident in your ability to clean the gutters yourself, you can always climb up onto a ladder before the first snowfall. However, we think reaching out to professional gutter cleaning companies is the way to go. You’ll save time spent clearing out these spaces on a fall day when you could be relaxing, and you’ll guarantee a job well done.