February Home Maintenance

February is a time to pack up any remaining winter supplies. Getting ready to put away the blowers, shovels, and ice melt. Before storing your winter supplies, check to make sure any maintenance is done on them; like fuel stabilizer for your snowblower.  This should be done typically once per year when you are storing your snowblower for the off-season.  If you do not know how to service your snowblower, the cost is about $60 to $120.  Make sure to shop around for a service provider; it could save you some money.  It's also a good idea to make sure that your ice melt is stored in a dry place. February is also a time to begin spring cleaning. Sorting out the stuff for keep, the stuff for ridding, and all of it to clean. Spring cleaning can be a stressful and overwhelming job!  If you don’t already have a housekeeper, now is a good time to think about hiring one to help out.  Prepare your list of tasks that you would like completed and give it to the housekeepers.  Of course the housekeepers are likely not going to do maintenance tasks (changing filter, etc) but it doesn't hurt to ask or request some extra tasks.  Be prepared, because you will likely be charged more for the extra service.  Housekeepers have differing prices.  Some charge per hour/per housekeeper, some charge per room or task, others have a monthly charge, and some require a contract.   Again, make sure that you call around to find the company that best fits what you are needing done.  While you're calling around, it wouldn't hurt to ask what other tasks the housekeepers are willing to do.  For instance, some housekeepers are willing to do dishes and/or laundry, others are not. Typically in the spring, many of us will move winter items to storage and take out spring and summer items.  Once you (or the hired help) get all the items for storage together, the items are ready to be moved.  If you are not able to move the items to and from storage by yourself, you can always call a moving company to come help with the heavy lifting and transportation.  Moving companies charge about $25 per hour/per mover.  Be sure to find out how far the storage unit is from your home and find out how many movers the company will be sending.  Calculate for probably two or three hours depending on how much stuff needs to be moved.  The equivalent of a two bedroom home could take upwards of four hours or more.  This will give you an idea of how much it might cost. Many of us begin indoor tasks over the colder months of the year, like painting or remodeling.  Once the weather begins warming, it will become more difficult to find the motivation to remain in the house.  Try completing the indoor tasks that were started during the winter and enjoy the home just in time for the sunshine!  Spring time is generally a time for replenishing.  We replenish the cleanliness of the home, replenish the garden outside, and shed off the cabin fever of winter. Here is a list of things to do during February to get ready for March. February Maintenance      -Lubricate garage doors and springs      -Change furnace filters Monthly Maintenance      -Change dirty HVAC system filters      -Look for leaks around toilets and sinks      -Inspect grout and caulking      -Change dirty kitchen vent hood filter      -Inspect fire extinguishers      -Test smoke detectors and batteries      -Test carbon-monoxide detectors & batteries      -Stroll around outside checking foundation, vents, gutters, and drainpipes      -Check water softener & replenish salt (if needed)      -Inspect electric cords for wear      -Clean garbage disposal Active Maintenance      -Watch for ice dams      -Check for drafts      -Tighten any loose screws      -Shovel walkways & driveways      -Keep ice melt on walkways      -Look for signs of pests Maintaining a home is, more often than not, worth every penny.  Costs of repairing a major issue in a home can be in the tens of thousands or more depending on the problem.  Many individuals buy or rent homes without the knowledge they need to maintain their home and avoid the expensive repairs.  Home maintenance can also be very overwhelming if an individual does not know where to begin, how often to check certain trouble areas of their home, or know when the last maintenance was done.  This is why we started this blog.  Mountain America Concierge Services (MACS) will be posting about home maintenance on a regular basis.  Be sure to check back often and subscribe so that you can see when we make a post.  You can visit our website at: https://mountain-america-concierge-services.business.site/?m=true You can visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/MACSfirst/