Baby, it’s coooold outside.
With the January cold comes a few tasks that homeowners will not want to neglect. Sandi Reed Real Estate Group wants to remind you that maintaining your home well does not have to be overwhelming, but it does require some consistent attention.
To help you with that, beginning this month, we will offer some simple steps we will call Helpful Hints for Homeowners. It is our wish that these monthly tips will provide you with a quick list to stay on top of the most important tasks to help keep your home in good repair and to prevent costly repairs.
Let’s start this month outside, and then bring you back in to warm up.
#1 Check your roof and gutters.
When your roof is covered with snow and each day’s sunshine warms up the underneath layer, ice begins to build up in the form of icicles. This should be harmless, but in some situations, it can lead to water backup underneath your shingles.
To prevent damage in your attic, consider whether you may need to seal any air leaks, add more insulation, check attic ventilation, and possibly most important… ensure that all your gutters and downspouts are flowing freely.
#2 Change water and icemaker filters.
There’s nothing magical about January when it comes to changing the filters that keep our drinking water and ice running pure, but if you do it the same month every year, it’s easier to remember how long it has been. The same can be said for changing the batteries in smoke alarms and similar yearly or bi-yearly tasks.
Your water filtration system(s) likely need to be replaced every six months. January and July are easy months to remember for making these a priority. Clogged filters may cause unnecessary and costly repairs, not to mention, make your water run less cleanly and efficiently. Check YouTubeâ or other online sources for instructions on your specific models if you are uncertain about how to change the filters.
#3 Clean and organize closets.
This task may take a little longer and be a little more dreaded than the others, but it will be the most rewarding… and there is no better month for it than January when it’s too cold to do anything outside anyway.
We open and close our closet doors sometimes multiple times a day. Throughout the year, our closets often collect more items than they are intended to hold. How many times have you had to shut a closet door multiple times because the bulk inside makes it difficult for the door to stay closed?
Think of closet cleaning in three simple steps. Purge, sort and refill.
- Purge. Start by removing everything from the closet. Though it may seem daunting, like many things in life, closet cleaning must get worse before it can get better. Chances are you have added 25-50% of the closet’s contents over the course of the year without intention. That means there is likely to be a lot of items that you can either donate, trash or relocate to make your closet more functional. Taking everything out forces you to make those decisions once and for all.
- Sort. Now, make piles or use totes to separate everything you’ve removed into the above or other categories that work for you. Put all your items for donation in a bag or box and take it immediately to your car once done. Put any items that need relocated where they belong. Take out the trash, and, if necessary, clean the inside of the closet. (Even give it a fresh coat of paint if that’s called for!)
- Refill. Finally, it’s time to put this closet back in working order. You should be left with all the items that belong in this closet, and you have a fresh clean slate to place items back in an orderly fashion as you see fit. Use baskets, bins, hanging shelves and other specialty items as needed to make the best use of your space.
Shut the door! And take a deep, cleansing breath when it stays closed the first time. You won’t believe how much your stress level will go down when all the closets in your home are orderly and accessible.
We hope these three quick tips make your home safer and more efficient this January. Don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about your home buying or selling needs.
Sandi Reed
Cell 816.213.0938
Office 816.877.8732
