How to Maintain Outdoor Faucets and Water Lines Before Winter

As the seasons change and temperatures begin to drop, it’s time to think about the parts of your home’s plumbing system that are exposed to the elements. Outdoor faucets and water lines are easy to overlook during routine home maintenance, but neglecting them can lead to frozen pipes, leaks, and expensive repairs.

Even a small amount of water left inside an exposed pipe can freeze, expand, and cause damage. And because some outdoor plumbing is located inside walls or beneath your home, you might not discover a problem until the weather warms up and water begins leaking.

Fortunately, a little preventive maintenance can help protect your outdoor plumbing and keep everything working properly throughout the year.

Read More

The September Home Reset: What to Organize Before the Holidays Arrive

Source: Google Photos

September can feel like a turning point for your home. Summer is winding down, the weather is beginning to change, and the busy holiday season is just a few months away.

Before the calendar fills up with school activities, work commitments, holiday shopping, and family gatherings, September is a good time to give your home a reset.

This doesn’t mean you need to deep clean every room or spend an entire weekend organizing. Instead, focus on the areas that tend to become sources of stress later in the year.

Read More

How to Find a Handyman You Can Trust

Source: Google Images

The door that doesn’t quite close correctly. The loose cabinet handle. The section of drywall that needs patching. The shelf you’ve been meaning to install for six months. 

None of these projects may be large enough to justify hiring a specialized contractor. But when you add them all together, that list can become surprisingly long.

All of these small tasks that seem to multiply over time are a handyman’s bread and butter. But how do you find a handyman you can trust? Someone who can get the job done right, on time, and on budget? 

A look through your local phone book may give you one or more names to call, but finding a great handyman involves more than finding someone who can get the job done. 

The challenge is finding someone who does quality work, shows up when promised, charges a fair price, and is someone you feel comfortable allowing into your home.

Read More

The End-of-Summer Home Reset: 10 Things to Do Before Fall Arrives

Source: Google Photos

Summer doesn’t exactly leave quietly.

After months of open windows, backyard gatherings, gardening, vacations, outdoor projects, and summer storms, your home may need a little attention before fall arrives.

And that’s OK. Your house has been busy, too.

The end of August is a great time to give your home a reset. You don’t need to deep-clean every room or tackle a dozen major projects. Instead, take a walk around your home and look at it with fresh eyes.

Read More

10 Fall Maintenance Tasks Homeowners Often Forget

Google Photos

Fall is a great time to give your home a little attention before winter arrives.

You probably already know you should clean the gutters, rake the leaves, and have your heating system checked. But those aren’t the only things on your fall home maintenance list.

Some of the most important tasks are also the easiest to forget. A clogged dryer vent, a leaky outdoor faucet, or a dead tree branch might not seem urgent today. But once freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and winter winds arrive, those little problems can quickly become expensive ones.

Read More