September Home Maintenance ideas from EFynch


It's Back to School Month! Below are monthly maintenance tips from EFynch: Baltimore and D.C. home improvement community for homeowners and handymen.

Baltimore MD: September is the unofficial start of Fall but temperatures in Baltimore and D.C.  can still climb over 90 degrees. Because of this, homeowners should remain in "summer mode" however, we also recommend thinking ahead to this winter and starting prep work.

Your air condition is going to be giving it's last push of the season but hopefully we will have a few nights where windows can be opened for some well deserved fresh air.

It is important to start thinking about Winter and September is a good time to begin planning. Tasks and home services that are "summer only" projects might be hard to schedule as the season's change so let's get a jump start on those.

Below is a list that EFynch has put together to help you stay on track with your home maintenance plans. We put this list out every month to act as a guide for both new and veteran homeowners in helping you stay on top of all repairs.  Follow this blog, Like us on Facebook, and register on EFynch to get our once a month updates that will help you save money on repairs and make home ownership much less stressful.


1. Clean Outdoor Hardscapes & Gardens

After a summer of thunderstorms and the coming of Mums (!), hopefully the weather will start cooling and outdoor work becomes enjoyable again. Use these times to give your outdoor areas a good cleaning. This includes cleaning mulch beds and consider giving hardscapes (decks, sidewalks) a good cleaning. This also helps with item #4 on this list, an important pre-winter task.

2. Check Weather Stripping

On the topic of "pre-winter" tasks, this one is important. As temps cool, repairing or replacing weather stripping becomes a tougher task. Cold weather effects the pliability of rubber and silicone, using the last of the warm days can help create a stronger seal. Plus, it's easier to work outside today than in November!

 

3. Chimney Sweeping

Although it's hard to think about starting a roaring fire today, very soon, the idea will be a welcomed treat. The only problem is that once the nights start cooling off, everyone else will share this sentiment and scheduling a chimney sweep will be tough (and sometimes more expensive). Get a jump start because this task should be performed every year and is a safety hazard to skip.



4. Inspect Asphalt

We talk about asphalt a great deal here on EFynch. The reason is because there are so many misconception about asphalt maintenance and repairs/ replacement is extremely expensive. Winter is a tough time on your driveway because moisture can seep into the cracks, freeze, and cause them to expand/ grow. Asphalt repairs typically conclude each year at the end of October so this month is your last chance to get on the schedule by most pros.


Popular posts from this blog

The Big Fuzzy Bumble Bee- What are they? Do they Hurt? How to Kill them.

Image
 EFynch is a handyman and homeowner community board based in Baltimore, Maryland. We provide advice, guidance, and help facilitate communications so, as a homeowner, you can manage any project like a pro! (Baltimore, MD ) Every spring my home is flooded with big, bumbling, furry, clumsy bees. It literally looks like the early stages of some biblical catastrophe. When I first saw them, I didn't know what to do. They'd swarm, swoop, dive, and worst of all- they were living behind my gutters and in my deck digging holes in the wood! I immediately turned to social media where, just as expected, I received a host of conflicting information in which each respondent was more sure than the previous one. So, I rolled up my sleeves, put on my reading glasses and after intense research I compiled the information below and I hope this helps. Grab your tennis rackets and a can of WD-40, because we're in for a wild safari! 1. What are they? They are commonly known as wood
Read more

Shovel your driveway for convenience. Shovel the sidewalk or be FINED!

Image
By: Teris Pantazes of EFynch.com Timonium, MD: After every snowstorm you will ultimately hear the scrape of distant shovels and snowblowers. These are your good neighbors who are out clearing their driveways in order to avoid busting their Phisteris' or just taking a terrible slip.  But I have to tell you, it doesn't end there. As a dog owner (actually, 2 mutts in my household!), I take them out for an stroll every evening. I constantly encounter a lack of sidewalk clearing and because I don't want to be a nosy neighbor, I politely trudge through the snow risking my own demise. Therein lies a problem because without resolution, you are opening yourself to fines and even worse, HOMEOWNER LIABILITY. I live in Baltimore County. But, I have also managed properties in Prince George's, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, and Washington D.C.  I can tell you without any hesitation of doubt that within each and these jurisdictions- THE SIDEWALK IS THE HOMEOWNERS
Read more

Hire a Handyman- Risk Identity Theft- The Pay Per Lead Industry you don't know exists

Image
Baltimore, MD: You've seen the ads on TV. By using that service the trusted home repair advisor who has made the "list" is only a click away. Your home improvement/ handyman fears are now diminished and the smiling (sometimes made up) personality is assuring your comfort. However, there is a glaring problem and it has to do with profits and the security of your personal information.  *The "Before We Start Disclaimer": Not every online home improvement company does what I am about to describe but, it is prevailant. It generates fast and easy income and even us at EFynch had once been heavily advised to participate. But in truth, it is simply sleazy (IMO)- we are not participating in this practice. Pay Per Lead is the horrible and deceptive practice that even the well-known brands in home improvement use. They collect your information (often without your knowledge) and then sell it to local contractors. Sometimes for a hefty fee and without your kno
Read more