Things Every Homeowner Should Do
Clean your dryer vent pipe
It is time to clean your dryer vent if your clothes start taking longer or do not dry fully, clothes feel hotter at the end of the cycle, outside of the dryer gets hot, outside exhaust flap does not open very much, you notice your laundry room is more humid than normal or it smells burnt. To clean your dryer vent, remove the outside cover on the vent, and use a special lint brush with an extendable handle to clean the inside of the pipe. Here is a link to more dryer cleaning tips or you can call a professional. https://www.thespruce.com/clean-your-dryer-vent-1824761
Change your air and furnace filters
You should change your filters every 30-60 days. You can find these filters at your local home improvement store. If you can not see the label of what size filter you have you can measure it. You measure your filter by Measuring Length and Width (L x W). (If your filter is not a square, the smallest measurement goes first).Then Measure Depth (D) – Measure the thickness of your filter. Lastly Put Your Measurements Together (L x W x D). That will be what size you need.
Clean your gutters
Only take on this task if you can work safely from a ladder or the roof. If your roof is higher than a single story, you’re better off hiring a gutter-cleaning pro. A method sometimes used by home handymen on low-sloped roofs is to blow dry debris out of gutters with a leaf blower. If you use this method, wear goggles and a dust mask, and be extremely careful when working on top of the roof—this is dangerous! Scoop out loose debris. Starting at a drain outlet at the low end of a gutter, use a narrow garden trowel or a gutter scoop to scoop out loose debris, working away from the drain outlet. It’s usually easiest to do this when the debris is slightly damp and pliable, not soggy or dried and encrusted. To minimize cleanup later, you can scoop the debris into a plastic bucket or onto a tarp below. Flush out the gutters with a hose. Make sure you clear obstructions in drainpipes.If you find a clog use a plumber’s auger (snake) to free and pull out the debris from the bottom or, in some situations, to push it through from the top. You should inspect and clear gutters in both spring and autumn.
Winterize plumbing
Start by insulating your pipes .You can do that by purchasing Rubber Self-Seal Pipe Wrap Insulation. Another great tip is to open your cabinets. Introducing more heat to your pipes can prevent them from freezing up. You can open up all cabinet doors on exterior walls to allow your pipes to warm up from your home’s heating system.You can also seal the cracks in your home’s exterior filled to prevent your pipes from being exposed to cold outside air.
Keep a tidy yard.
The first step that you have to take when keeping your yard clean and tidy is by making sure that you have all the right tools and equipment in advance. Some of the essentials that you’ll need are gloves, a rake, shovel, clippers, shears, wheelbarrow, large yard trash bags, hose, and fertilizer.If you have a larger yard investing in equipment like a lawn tractor is another necessity. If you don’t have the right tools you are less likely to keep a tidy yard and that could lead to complaints from the city or your HOA.
Another great tip is to be proactive about weeding, pruning, and trimming.Instead of letting trees, bushes, and weeds get unruly, take a couple of minutes to pull those couple of dandelions and cut down those broken or overgrown branches before it becomes a full-day chore. You can further help the weed growth and improve your curb appeal by landscaping with mulch. You could mulch around your garden, flowerbeds, and trees. Another important thing to do is to maintain your Furniture, patio, and deck.Sweep or brush your furniture, patio, and decks to remove outdoor debris. Don’t forget to cover or store your furniture when it’s not in use, and stain or paint your deck at least every other year unless you have a PVC or composite deck in which case, you should power wash at least every other year.
The last and most important tip is to put everything away. You don’t want to run over anything in the yard with the mower or in the drive with your car. There are many outdoor storage solutions like benches, decorative totes, shelving and sheds.