Tag: Gutter Cleaning

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Posted on by Living Room Property Management

Here are 5 things you need to do to get your home ready for fall.

 

Hi, I’m Ash Jimenez, Maintenance Manager and General Contractor for the Living Room Fixer’s maintenance team.

As the weather begins to cool down this is the perfect time to get your home ready for the upcoming start to the rainy season. With that in mind I’m here with 5 tips to help you get you ready for a snug and dry fall season. 

 

1.Clean out those gutters! 

Did you know that a whopping 90% of water intrusion in basements is caused by faulty downspouts and clogged gutters? Yikes! But don’t worry, we’ve got the scoop on how to prevent this. Taking care of your gutters is a crucial part of home maintenance that can save you from leaky roofs, water damage, and even the dreaded mold. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re relaxing inside, warm and worry-free. 

 

2. Disconnect Garden Hoses and Insulate Bibs

Leaving water in your hose can lead to some unfortunate mishaps, and we definitely want to avoid that. When the cold weather hits, frozen water can expand and cause your hoses to crack, leaving you with a leaky mess come spring. How do you avoid that? 

 

First things first, make sure to close the shut-off valves for your bibbs inside your home to prevent freezing. Now, here’s the counter-intuitive part: open all of the hose bibbs and keep them that way for the season. By doing this, any remaining water can easily drain out, preventing any freezing-related headaches when the temps drop.

 

3. Check On Your Furnace

It’s a fantastic time to take care of your home’s heating and air quality. Consider installing a new furnace filter and giving your furnace a quick check-up to ensure everything is in tip-top shape. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to experience a freezing day with a non-functional furnace! On top of that, doing some vent cleaning right now will keep the air in your home fresh and clean. It’s a win-win for the comfort and well-being of both you and your home.

4. Keep Out The Cold

It’s time to give your windows some love and care. First, let’s throw those windows wide open and clear out any pesky dirt, sand, or dust from the tracks. A quick clean will do wonders! And here’s a pro tip: make sure to lock the windows afterward, as they work their best when they’re locked.

 

Next up, let’s check for any sneaky drafts or gaps in the windows. If you find any, simply replace any weatherstripping that needs it and re-caulk where necessary. Your windows, and your bank account, will thank you, as you enjoy a cozier and more energy-efficient home.

 

5. Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

Remember, it’s essential to check the batteries in these life-saving devices once a month, be sure to replace them as needed and keep in mind the expiration date of the unit. This simple habit ensures they’re always ready to alert you in case of any emergencies.

Call Us Today!

 The Living Room Fixers are a full service Maintenance team that can assist you with any of these services and many, many more. If you have any questions at all, call us today, chances are we can fix it.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Posted on by Living Room Property Management

Here are 5 things you need to do to get your home ready for spring.

Hi, I’m Ash Jimenez, I’m the Maintenance Manager and General Contractor for the Living Room Fixer’s maintenance team.

We’ve reached that time of year where the weather is getting warmer & dryer, kinda. With that in mind here’s a seasonal spring checklist to help you prepare your home for what will hopefully be the warmer dryer months ahead.


1. Get Those Windows Looking Fresh!

Wash exterior windows and install or repair screens as needed. This will give you the best view of all that beautiful sunshine and make sure no unwanted little friends make their way into your home when you’re leaving those windows open to let nature be your AC unit.


2. Inspect The Roof & Gutters

Roofs are expensive to replace, patch or fix. Help keep them tip top and extend their longevity by removing moss, checking for damage and giving them an overall cleaning. While you’re up there check the gutters to make sure there are no clogs or obstructions. Clogged gutters often lead to water being directed up under your roof, which is bad news bears.

 

3. Clean Yard Furniture & Grill

With spring comes BBQ season and you don’t wanna be caught off guard when that impromptu gathering pops off at your house. Plan ahead by removing all pitch or other unsavory winter collection from your yard furniture as well as scrubbing & cleaning your grill now, so it’s ready when the party is.

 

4. Take Your Driveway & Sidewalks To The Spa

Power wash your driveways and sidewalks to not only make them look nice by removing staining, but also alleviates hazards such as moss & leaf residue that can be a slip or falling hazard.

 

5. Refresh The Yard!

Tidy up  landscaping and flower beds… give the walkways some TLC. We recommend power washing those as well.

 

Call Us Today!

The Living Room Fixers are a full service Maintenance team that can assist you with any of these services and many more. If you have any questions or inquiries, call us today, chances are we can fix it.  

 

Gutter Cleaning Time!

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

GUTTERS – DO THEY NEED CLEANING?

Did you know that when we meet our foundation contractors to look at an issue, more times than not, the now very expensive fix was caused by clogged gutters? When gutters aren’t clean and free of debris, they create leaks, clogs, and water pools up at the base of your home, causing foundation issues. Keep your gutters functioning by cleaning them out now (before the rains begin) and in the spring.
Need some help? Check out these gutter cleaning specialists.

About Us: Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped hundreds of clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

Shop Talk, Vol. 7: Fall Home Maintenance Projects to Do Before Winter

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Portland’s fall season is dreamlike, with brightly-hued autumn foliage lining the city’s streets.

The air never feels as refreshing as it does on an October morning, and we think making use of these magical days is one of the best ways to work through your checklist of fall home maintenance projects. Here are the seasonal home care projects you should undertake.

Say ‘Goodbye’ to Summer Necessities

Summer has come and gone, and so has your need for many of the tools you’ve been using for upkeep. Before winter can catch you off-guard with harsh freezing conditions, be sure to turn off outdooring water systems – shutting off external faucets and draining any sprinkling or irrigation systems.  Be aware that underground irrigation lines can freeze as well, leading to broken pipes and sprinkler heads. In addition, store your hoses and lawn mowers and, if you have a gas-fueled mower, be sure to add fuel stabilizer to prevent degradation of your mower’s internal system.

Take Care of Leaks

A simple task with a big payoff, sealing up any leaks on your home’s exterior is one of the most important projects to complete during the fall. Taking caulk around the perimeter of your home, carefully inspect for any gaps or cracks around pipes, frames and wires. Filling these cracks is a great money-saver – and, when the cold sets in – you’ll be grateful you did!

Reverse the Direction of Your Fan

Your ceiling fans should change direction in accordance with the season. In winter months, be sure your fan is set to a clockwise rotation, which helps redistribute warm air around the room. In warm months, set it to a counter-clockwise rotation to create a cooling sensation.

Clear Out Your Gutters

Over the course of the fall and winter seasons, it is common for this foliage to create blockages in your gutter, impairing its ability to properly direct water away from your home. Left unaddressed, improper drainage can result in extensive water damage to your foundation and roof. Proper gutter maintenance helps prevent damage to your home’s structure and landscaping, which can result in savings exceeding $10,000..

These fall home maintenance projects will work to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the testing winter months. For projects that require some external help, let Aryne + Dulcinea connect you with one of their local home repair experts!

About Us:
Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.

 

Shop Talk: The Surprising Home Maintenance Project That Saves Portland Homeowners Thousands

Posted on by Aryne + Dulcinea

Few cities embrace spring with the eagerness that Portland does. After months of looming grey skies and damp socks, can you blame us? When dormant maple trees begin to awaken and electric pink camellias line neighborhood sidewalks, shrugging off the memory of winter rains is the natural response for many. However, Portland homeowners shouldn’t be as quick to leave the winter season behind. That is, not until they’ve properly addressed the seasonal impacts to their home and ensured proper maintenance of their gutter systems.

 

Dramatic winter rainstorms and rich arboreal diversity are signatures of the Pacific Northwest, but these same characteristics are a menace to gutter systems. Over the course of the fall and winter seasons, it is common for this foliage to create blockages in your gutter, impairing its ability to properly direct water away from your home. Left unaddressed, improper drainage can result in extensive water damage to your foundation and roof. Proper gutter maintenance helps prevent damage to your home’s structure and landscaping, which can result in savings exceeding $10,000. Before spring fever takes over, be sure to follow these simple steps to tend to the gutters in your home.

 

  1. Survey the area. Before you begin this project, make sure to take a close look at your property for any potential hazards which may put your safety at risk. Issues such as electric lines, imposing trees, or uneven terrain could be cause for concern. In this case, consult a professional before proceeding.

 

  1. Gather your materials. For this home maintenance DIY, you’ll only need the following:
    1. Hand shovel or plastic scoop. Select a small hand tool that will help you scoop any debris out of the gutter.
    2. Opt for rubber if you can, this might get messy.
    3. Plastic tarp. Speaking of messy, considering throwing a plastic tarp over your yard so you can easily remove any waste afterward.
    4. Reliable ladder. Be sure your ladder is secure, and—if possible—use one with standoff stabilizers to protect your gutters from ladder damage.
    5. Use a garden hose to flush away any remaining debris. Additionally, your hose will help you spot any leaks or blockages.

 

  1. Get started. Once you’ve collected the necessary tools, you simply need to repeat the following steps until all areas of your gutter have been examined, cleared and tested.
    1. Using your scoop and gloved hands, remove any leaves and gunk from your gutter.
    2. Using your hose, run water through the gutters to examine for leaks and blockages. To check drainage in your spouts, turn the water flow on your hose to high and direct it down into your spout. If the water comes through more slowly, there is a blockage. Using your hose, work it into the spout through the bottom opening, flushing the spout until all debris is removed.
    3. Check the gutter system’s stability, ensuring it is securely attached to your house.

 

Responsible Portland homeowners should anticipate cleaning their gutters at least twice a year, performing consistent spot checks on their drainage system to catch blockages before they become hazardous. Gutter maintenance is one of the most impactful ways to preserve the health and value of your home, so be sure to add it to this year’s spring cleaning checklist!

 

 

About Us:
Over the course of their professional partnership, Aryne + Dulcinea have helped over 200 clients prosper in their new lives. During this time, they have prided themselves in their top-notch selling abilities, with homes outperforming market standards, consistently exceeding list price while most of their listings sell in under 7 days. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, Aryne & Dulcinea will work in collaboration to guide you in investing in your future and reaching your real estate goals.