With the Grain » maintenance

Outdoor Spring Maintenance Tips

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:29:03 +0000

In winter-y states, spring maintenance is a tedious and complicated process for some. This is due to the fact that flooding in basements, as well as other areas of the property could occur as snow melts. In addition to maintaining those issues, the following spring maintenance tips should be considered:

Check downspouts and gutters for blockages and other damage
Ensure sump pumps and other pumps are in working order
Look for problems with drainage around the foundation
Inspect and repair problems with shingles and other roofing materials

Often times, too, when snow melts there’s trash and debris found throughout the property that may have been covered throughout the season and out of sight. Be sure you have plenty of rakes and shovels to begin the spring clean-up process throughout the property.

Refinishing Metal Patio Furniture

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:21:57 +0000

As spring approaches, we’re coming up on a new season of maintenance and chores. This includes refinishing metal patio furniture. For those who are not able to store these furniture pieces under cover, this chore is often an annual event. However, for those who are new to this project, there may be some questions along the way.

Here are some links to lead you:

For specifics about how to refinish your patio, you may also be able to consult the home improvement center, store, or manufacturer the pieces were purchased from. Check any paper materials you may have kept when the pieces were purchased for website URLs and customer service phone numbers.

How to Compost

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:29:09 +0000

Self-sufficiency is on the minds of many consumers, particularly those who are already implementing the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” practice into their households. With these principles in mind, it’s a smoother transition into self-sufficiency.

Why? Because these homeowners are looking for ways to reuse household items and, in the case of composting, this is achievable.

Here are some links to lead you:

Composting is just one of the many ways homeowners can work toward self-sufficiency and reusing items. Good luck!

How to Be Self-Sufficient at Home

Jenn Greenleaf — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:14:19 +0000

Let’s face it; being more self-sufficient should be touching most of our lives by now. However, taking this step is difficult for many. There are a number of ways to be more self-sufficient in our homes, and in an economy that’s struggling as ours is, it could help to explore and implement some or all of these strategies.

Here are some links to lead you:

Research this topic thoroughly before embarking upon costly home improvements or extensive DIY projects. Start small, and then work your way up. There may be grants available in your area, or low-interest home improvement loans geared toward projects such as these.

How to Keep Wood From Drying Out

Jenn Greenleaf — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:37:32 +0000

Do you have a home or rental that has a lot of wood treatments, such as paneled walls, wooden cabinets, and wooden doors? These wooden features need to be treated periodically throughout the year to prevent cracking, swelling, and warping. Some wood treatments, however, do not need much maintenance at all. This is particularly true for wood that is heavily varnished or shellacked.

Here are some links to lead you:

There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a crack in a wood door, or warped cabinet doors. Keep the wood elements in your home properly treated and they should last the lifetime of the home. Poor maintenance is quickly noticed, and soon becomes a costly problem.

Are You a Tool Nut?

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:45:50 +0000

The newest home improvement gadget or tool might be on your mind more than the projects that you actually plan to complete using them. This is fine, especially considering the looming holiday season where gift-giving suggestions tend to fly, so long as you actually DO get to those home improvements.

Here are some sites listing some of the top gadgets and tools for 2009:

Even though you may not necessarily need new tools, it’s still fun to look. And, if you’re having fun looking it might bring some fun into some of the more dreaded home improvement projects you might be facing. Good luck!

Maintaining Your Septic System

Jenn Greenleaf — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:29:07 +0000

For those who have lived all of their lives with properties containing a septic system, maintaining them is part of their regular routine. However, for those who have lived in areas where the town supplies lines to residents, this is not common knowledge. Here are some links to explore covering information regarding septic tank maintenance:

No one really likes thinking about this issue, but is important to do so. Otherwise, if maintaining your septic system is not part of your regular routine, then you may face some very expensive service calls (and smelly ones, at that) in the future. Prevent this from happening with proper maintenance.

Get in the Shade

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:04:49 +0000

Even if you are a renter and not a homeowner, having the right information regarding how to keep your window shades and blinds clean is important. Here are some tips to carry you from one spring-cleaning season to the next:

Create a hot water and vinegar solution using in one part of vinegar to four parts of hot water. Either spray the solution on or use a sponge. Wipe off immediately.
For those who can’t stand the small of vinegar, ammonia based window cleaner works just as well.

For the best results, rake the window shades down and lay them on a sheet or a piece of plastic. Wash and dry one side at a time, being extra careful not to break the slats where the blind’s cords run though.

Maintain your blinds and shades between cleanings by dusting them thoroughly at least once per week or every two weeks (depending on how dusty the rest of your home gets). Avoid allowing furniture polishes or air fresheners to come into direct contact with the blinds or dust and other air-born particles will stick to them.

Block it Up!

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:56:41 +0000

When was the last time you had to lug cinder blocks across your yard for this, that, or the other thing and thought, “is there really a point to all this lifting and moving?” Well, for one it’s good exercise. However, this is not a health blog but rather a home improvement blog. For another, cinder blocks have so many practical uses in home improvement projects that they truly are worth the effort of moving them from one location to another on your property when needed.

Here are just some of the uses:

Building a fire pit or outdoor barbeque.
Blocking up wooden pallets for storage items that can be left outside under a tarp, but cannot be left in direct contact with the ground.
Creation of retaining walls.
Blocking up campers or other mobile homes.
Creation of raised gardens that are not surrounded by wooden railroad ties or other wood materials.

So, the next time you are wondering why you are bothering to lift these heavy things to pile them up for future use, remember they truly are useful. Just because you have finished with them and no longer need them now, that does not mean you may not need them again in the future. Like other home improvement tools, keep them on hand for when the time comes to put them back to work!

End of the Year BBQ Maintenance

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:10:34 +0000

Grilling season might not be quite over yet, but the time to begin thinking the end of the year BBQ grill maintenance should begin entering your mind. Are you the type of homeowner who just throws a tarp over your grill and calls it good, or do you have an outdoor kitchen type mentality where careful planning is in order? Either way, it’s time to get started.

Here are some sites to help guide you on your way:

If you have the storage room, store your grill in a dry place throughout the winter months. Not only will this prevent any water damage from occurring, but it will also increase the lifespan of your grill. If you do not have enough storage space to bring the grill inside, cover it well with a grill cover and tarps after giving it a thorough cleaning.