Top 4 Tips for Spring and Tuesday Wines at Arcana Restaurant

THE 4 BEST THINGS FOR SPRING IN EACH PART OF YOUR HOME 

YOUR YARD

  1. Spring cleanup time! Start outside, raking up any remaining leaves that survived the winter, and laying down mulch in your flowerbeds and beneath the hedges. Turn your outside faucets back on, checking for damage. If you plan on hiring a lawn care service to maintain your property and mow your lawn, now is the time to renew your annual contract.
  2. Trees. If your property has any trees, have them inspected by a certified arborist, who can check for signs of illness or any dead branches and catch problems before they escalate and kill a tree. I like Blue River Forestry and Tree Service - nothing but rave reviews from clients.
  3. Lawns and hedges. Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn, although you may not need to fertilize as much as you think. Organo-Lawn can take care of this for you and their blog has lots of useful information
  4. Goodbye snow blower, hello lawnmower! Spring is the time to store your snow blower (if you have one) for the summer. You’ll need to drain the fuel or add a stabilizer, check and clean the motor and parts. Later, pull out the lawnmower and give it a checkup before the grass gets too long. Mowers get a lot of use, but not a lot of love. The Great Outdoors serves all of Boulder County and will come to your house to pick up or make repairs.

THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME

  1. Inspect. Walk around the outside of the house: Are there cracks in the concrete? Is the driveway in good condition? Check the roof for signs of loose or broken shingles. Look up at the chimney for signs of wear. Check the facade and foundation for cracks or signs of water pooling.
  2. The gutters. Your gutters control the flow of rainwater on your house, protecting your roof, siding and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause a roof to leak or water to infiltrate your house. Clean them at least twice a year (or more frequently, depending on how many trees surround your property and hang over your roof). Also, check for damage.
  3. Paint. Look for signs of peeling or chipping paint. You may need a touch-up or a fresh coat. If you plan to hire a professional, schedule the job in the spring so the work gets done by the end of the summer. Contact me directly for an appropriate painter for your type and size of job - 303 704 7774. 
  4. Give your house a bath! Here’s how to clean your house’s exterior:
    Close all windows and doors, and cover the ground and hedges with plastic sheeting. Avoid the instinct to rent a power washer, as it may not be necessary, and it could damage siding or masonry depending on your building materials. In most cases, an ordinary garden hose will do. Attach a siding cleaning kit to the hose and get to work. Spot-clean heavily soiled areas. Use detergent sparingly, as it can harm your plants.

THE INSIDE OF YOUR HOME

  1. HVAC systems. For homes with central heat and air, call your HVAC technician to schedule the system’s biannual checkup and servicing. Locally, I recommend Bagi Mechanical. A technician will check the ductwork for signs of damage, and clean and service the furnace and A/C compressor.
  2. Plumbing. Give your pipes a good once-over, checking under sinks to make sure there are no signs of leaks. Look up at your ceilings too for telltale water stains – a sign of a leak in the wall. Check faucets for drips and the flapper in the tank of your toilet to make sure it has not worn out (once the flapper starts to go, expect your toilet to run more frequently.) Fix what you can yourself; or call me for a plumbing recommendation 303 704 7774 depending on the type and size of the job.
  3. Sump pump. Spring is going to be wet!  Check your sump pump to make sure it’s draining properly. This is one item you do not want to find out about when it’s too late!
  4. Chimney. Even if you do not regularly use the fireplace, the chimney still needs a regular checkup. A chimney carries dangerous gases from your fireplace, wood stove or furnace out of your home, helping to keep the air inside breathable. Your chimney should be inspected annually and cleaned periodically depending upon how often you use it to avoid a fire hazard. Call Midtown Chimney Sweeps who are highly rated in county.  (Primary Source for this article: The New York Times)

Let me help you find exactly what you need.