A few weeks ago, we shared with you Craig Russell’s check list for spring maintenance for the interior of your home. Although his list is not exhaustive, it is a thought starter and meant as a tool to help keep you on track for those home maintenance projects that will just get away from you over time. Now that you’ve had the time to tackle your list of interior maintenance, it’s time to head to the great outdoors. Don’t let the size of this list intimidate you. Instead, your first step is to merely take a nice, leisurely walk around the outside of your home, looking at the ground around your home, the structure itself, and then important elements like driveway, decks/patios and roof. Once you get into the habit of using this checklist, you’ll be come that much more familiar with your house. This way, when something is wrong, you’ll see it right away and can either take care of it or call in the appropriate professionals.

House

Start by looking directly at your house. A great first step is getting those gutters cleaned. You might want to consider gutter guards at some point, which will add another layer of protection in keeping water away from your house. Give your home a visual inspection, paying specific attention to your roof and foundation. You’re looking for loose shingles and gutters and unusual cracks. Finding these issues early can save you a big headache later. Windows and doors need to be assessed too, since theses are potential entry points for wind and water.

Yard

Next, look for branches or any type of plant/tree growth that is too close to your house too. As we get ready for mosquito season, look for any area of standing water as well. Pooling of water any where near your house can also suggest an issue with grading. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to turn on your outside water and inspect your outdoor faucets. If they weren’t winterized correctly, leaks could emerge now.

Structures & Driveways

Finally, take a look at any outdoor structures and your driveway. Check your deck, porch, and railings for water stains, warping and loose or rusty nails. Keeping up with these small repairs can save you a big project later. After repairs have been made, consider resealing any woodwork. Walk around your driveway and patio, looking for cracks that may have emerged over the winter.

Good habits when it comes to home maintenance will pay dividends in the end. These projects are much easier to keep up with when they are a part of your regular routine and often can stop small problems from developing into large ones.

Craig Russell, founder and CEO of The English Contractor, is a custom builder and bespoke remodeler. But he’s known to dole out one piece of financial advice from time to time. He’s no E.F. Hutton, but when Craig speaks, but sure to listen. Beyond the charming accent, he has some good advice to share. Namely, your home is likely your biggest financial investment. Not only because of that mortgage payment, but also because of the continued investment you might be making in your home with remodels, renovations, and repairs. Keeping up with home maintenance helps protect both your investment and the people who live inside it.

To make it easier for our followers, Craig’s compiled a checklist of seasonal maintenance items. This week, we’ll take you through spring time maintenance tips on the inside of your home.

“You don’t need to have an official day set aside for a home inspection,” Craig says. “This list can be a good reminder, though, as you walk around your house, of items that need your attention,” he explains.

Basement

It helps to think of your home in segments so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming. Starting in the basement, you’ll want to:

• Schedule maintenance for your HVAC systems before you make the switch over to air conditioning. Now is a good time to replace or clean your filters.

• Check on your sump pump and consider adding a battery back up.

• Check for insects, mice and other pests. Schedule an exterminator if necessary.

• Look for problem areas, particularly moisture or water.

Bedrooms/Living Areas

Next, it is time to tackle the bedrooms and main living areas of your home. If you didn’t manage a good purge and deep clean during quarantine, spring is the perfect time to get that done. In addition to a more meticulous clean, now is a great time to also:

• Dust and reverse your ceiling fans.

• Schedule a deep cleaning of your carpeting and/or area rugs.

• Check under your sinks for cracks or leaks. Check your washing machine tubings, too.

• Clean out your dryer vents.

Whole Home

Other items to check on during your spring interior walk through include:

• Windows and doors. Are you noticing drafts or moisture? It’s time to add caulk or weatherstripping. Or it may be time to replace them.

• Safety precautions. Are your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in good working order? If they are not hardwired, it is time to replace batteries. Don’t forget to have a fire extinguisher on hand as well.

• The attic. Check for ventilation and, like the basement, for pests.

There’s no place like home. We’d agree. But after spending the past few months, you might start to notice all of the opportunities for improvement in your dwelling. And while you might not be ready to have an entire team come into your home to start a major renovation project, like a kitchen remodel or bathroom renovation, that doesn’t mean that it’s not the time to start a new home improvement project. In fact, now is a great time to get started on a plan for your next home remodeling project. There’s so much that you can do to get started before you call in the professional builders and home contractors, like us.

Get Inspired.

As you’ve stayed home, you might have decided that you’re ready for a refresh. There’s a world full of ideas right at your fingertips. Get on Pinterest. Start a board and start saving pictures of spaces that you like. Seeing finished spaces will help you identify your style. Do you like stained wood or painted? Traditional tile or something that makes a statement? Neutral wall color or something cheerful and bright? Once it comes time to make selections, it can be overwhelming to look at all the options that are out there for everything from lighting fixtures to cabinetry hardware. Knowing what makes you tick is going to make this entire process a lot easier. Even if you use a design professional to help guide you through the process, you’ll likely be a lot happier with the end result when you can point to specific elements that you know that you like.

Not a Pinterest fan? There are tons of other websites just full of inspiration. We like Houzz and Decor Pad as well. There are so many home design and decor bloggers as well that will help fill your head with ideas. You can check out some of our favorites like Emily Henderson, McGee & Co and even a video blog like Quintessence, which highlights the homes of interior designers all over the world. There are plenty of magazines out there, of course, but if you’re like all of us, you probably have a lot of catalogs coming through the mail each day. Leaf through those Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Ballard Designs and Grandin Road. Sure you can use these resources to furnish your home, but they also provide plenty of design tips and inspiration through their photos of staged rooms. So look at those catalogs before you recycle them!

Understand Your Priorities.

While your brain might be telling you it is time for a whole home remodel, your wallet may be telling you to pump the brakes. The cost of a home improvement project can quickly add up, so it’s a good idea to understand your motivation before starting any type of remodel. For example, you might want to prioritize a kitchen that has a non-working appliance or two or a room that may have an issue like water damage over a bathroom with outdated fixtures. The time you intend to spend in your home may also be a factor. If a move within the next five years is in your future, do you really want to manage a major kitchen renovation, when a quick refresh by changing out hardware or maybe swapping out an appliance will do? By understanding your priorities, it will also help you understand where to focus your time, energy and bank account first.

Identify Your Budget.

Do you have champagne taste and a beer budget? Join the club. Even simple projects can cost more than the average homeowner might think and when budget planning, it is important to have some set aside to cover the unexpected costs. You’ve seen those home improvement shows on HGTV where a project quickly has to be reprioritized when a family of raccoons is found nesting in attic installation or a long undiscovered leak in a bathroom has done major damage to the home. Renovation projects can be filled with surprises, so it’s important to be prepared financially. However, a limited budget doesn’t mean that a home remodel is out of the question. There are ways to scale a project to fit almost every budget. It just means that you might not be able to have it all or may have to make some compromises with materials in order to get the look you want. It may be that you can plan a project that unfolds in phase over the years, like new appliances one year and new countertops and lighting fixtures the next. Understand how much money you are willing to invest in your home first, while will help you plan both the size and scope of your project.

Line Up The Professionals.

A lot of the planning that goes into a home remodel can be done with minimal in-person contact. Almost every project can benefit from a partnership with an architect, who can make suggestions for possible layout and structural changes to your home. Brainstorming and initial budget discussions can take place over the phone. The same goes with an interior design professional, who might be able to help you with the selection of finishes. A home builder and renovation contractor, like The English Contractor, can help you put together ballpark estimates for a project. If you already have architectural plans for your project, our team can even start our more detailed estimates to help nail down the size, scope and cost of your renovation. Our estimates are very detailed and can take a few weeks to put together. If you get us started now, we’ll be ready to go once everyone is back up and running.

Although in some ways the world seemed to stop for a bit as we all managed through the COVID health crises, almost everyone we’ve spoken with has seen an uptick in what’s going inside the four walls of their home base. We’ve seen the lines at Home Depot ourselves and know that so many of you are anxious to spruce up your home. If your home project expands beyond your own DIY capabilities or interests, we’re here to help. We’re happy to help get you started with a quick phone consultation. Give us a call today.

A few short months ago, we shared tips on preparing your home for the cold, wind, snow and ice of the winter season. Now that temperatures have begun to warm, it is time for you to give your home another inspection. Take advantage of warmer weather to get outside and see home your home has fared. These are easy tips that you can do yourself to help take care of your largest investment—your home.

Take A Walk.

Before you stroll your neighborhood, take a walk around your own home. Keep an eye out for damage from ice and storms to see where winter has taken its toll. Your visual inspection should include:

• The roof: look for loose shingles and nail pops.

• The chimney: check the joints between the stones. Missing joints or vegetation growing between joints can signal that water is an issue.

• Exterior walls: Look for water stains near gutters. Check wood siding for any rotting or damaged areas.

• Foundation: Look for cracks and water damage.

• Windows: Check weather stripping and caulking to maintain a tight seal.

Are you noticing areas of concern? It might be time to call in your local roofer, mason or a foundation expert.

Spring Checklist.

Your spring checklist includes more than just cleaning. Before we transition into a sweltering summer, there are a few items you should check off your home care list:

• Schedule seasonal HVAC maintenance. Make sure your system is system is running efficiently and is ready to go for air conditioning season.

• Reseal exterior woodwork. Do you have a wood deck, fencing or outdoor structures like a pergola or trellis? They will last much longer if they are protected from the elements. Spring is a good time to touch up paint or stain and reseal. While you’re at it, you can check for any rotted or damaged wood that might need to be replaced.

• Clean gutters. Are you ready for April showers? Sure, they bring May flowers, but you want to make sure that water is able to run away from your house. Make sure your gutters are free from leaves and debris.

• Inspect your irrigation. Run through each zones manually to make sure none of the heads or lines have been damaged. Adjust heads that are spraying the house, sidewalks or porches to avoid damage and wasting water.

• Check your screens. If you like to open up the windows as the weather warms, you’ll want to make sure your screens are intact. You can call a professional to fix damaged screens or pick up a screen repair kit at your local hardware store.

• Check your alarms. If you didn’t check your fire and carbon monoxide alarms when our clocks sprung forward, take the time to do it now. Make sure they are working, connect to power and have batteries.

As a custom home builder and bespoke remodeler, we know the investment of time and money that goes into building your home. Your home is really no different than your body. It requires regular checkups and care to live a long and healthy life. With some regular maintenance and a bit of vigilance, you can ward off any major problems by taking care of smaller issues along the way.

Steps you can take to protect your home this winter from water, wind and wasted energy.

Your home is among your biggest investments that you’ll make in your lifetime, so you’ll want to do anything you can to protect it. This can sound overwhelming, but it is really a series of little things that can make a big difference. Our staff at The English Contractor is known for their attention to detail—it’s this attention to these small details that make a big difference in your home as the seasons change.  We build homes and we build relationships with our clients, so a lot of theses steps that we’ve listed are things that we do for our clients.

Now you can take care of your home The English Contractor way!

To help you all prepare for the winter season, we’ve made many of our winterizing tips into a list that every homeowner can use. And to make it even easier, we’ve identified the three big winter enemies of any home and given you steps on how to protect your home and your family from each one: Water, Wind and Wasted Energy. As you’re walking through your own house, as you’re cleaning, decorating for the holidays or going about your day, keep in mind our 3 W’s to help you know what your priorities should be as the seasons change.

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Wasted Energy

Furnace

Your HVAC system can be a big contributor to wasted energy. It’s a good idea to have a maintenance plan with an HVAC company and have inspections of your entire system twice a year, preferably before you’re about to turn on your heat in the winter and your air conditioner in the summer. This is a great time to trouble shoot and change filters to take care of any issues before the weather gets really extreme. Dirty filters not only restrict airflow, but they make your system work that much harder to heat or cool your home, which can drive up your energy bill and create increased wear and tear. Put a reminder in your calendar to change your filters once a month.

 Are you holding off on replacing your furnace in order to protect your wallet? You might have initial sticker shock at the cost of this big home improvement project, but an older, inefficient system can be costing you more in maintenance and energy bills. A new system will render some monthly cost savings, which will quickly add up. Plus, you might be eligible for a federal tax credit for a new furnace, that might cover a percentage of your total cost.

Water Heater

A lot of our work with water is keeping it away from the house. But down here in the basement, this is a good time to pay attention to the water we use in the house with the water heater. 

So, after you’ve checked on your furnace, give your water heater a check. This can happen any time of the year, but I feel like as we experience the swing in temperature in the winter, it is a good time to make sure all of your systems are running efficiently. 

Many home water heaters are set to 140 degrees when they are installed. However, most homes don’t need their water heated to that temperature.  Not only does heating your water impact your energy bill, but having water that is turned up to too high a temperature is a safety issues, particularly if you have young children in the home. Consider turning the temperature down to 120 degrees. It’s much safer and can lead to energy savings of up to 10%. 

Thermostat

Be smart about energy usage during the winter season and save some cash.

Did you know that more than half of your energy consumed each month is from either heating or cooling your house? Are you heating your house when no one is home? Consider lowering your thermostat when you’re leaving the house. Every degree you lower, you save about 1% on your heating and cooling bill. Lots of our customers are installing smart systems to make this something you can even down when you’re away from home. Just don’t make your heat too low while you’re gone. We recommend no lower than 60-degrees to make sure your pipes do not freeze.

 While you’re checking your home temperature, check the vents in each room. Make sure that vents are open in the rooms where you live the most. You’ll also want to make sure that your vents are not obstructed by any of your furniture, which will restrict air flow and efficient heating of each room.

Windows, Doors & Outlets

There are lots of places in a home where energy can escape.  Think about it in terms of entry points to the home. Doors and windows are an obvious place. But also pipes, that allow water to exit and enter the house. Just by spending time in your home in the colder months, you can probably pretty easily locate drafty areas within your home. Those drafts are places where you are losing money! The winter is not a great time to start replacing windows and doors. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer all winter long. If you notice drafts coming from a window, try adding caulk or weather stripping around the window. If you notice a draft coming from your door, you can add weather stripping, but sometimes a rolled up towel will do the trick. Insulation added to pipes on the inside of the house can keep them from losing heat or from freezing. The basement and attic are other places where you can lose a significant amount of heat. You may want to consider scheduling an energy audit. You can do this by calling Duke Energy. They will often provide an energy audit for free and give you lots of tips on improving the energy efficiency of your home.

Wood Burning Fireplace

Will you be using your chimney a lot as the weather turns cold? Call a good chimney sweep to make sure you chimney is clean from ashes and creosote. To keep your chimney running well, make sure it if fitted with a cap to keep out birds and rodents. Inspect the damper to make sure it is opening and closing properly. (And make sure it is open before you start a fire!) You’ll want to make sure your fire wood is stored in a dry place, ideally away from the house, since it is a great hiding place for critters. 

 It is important to note that masonry fireplaces are pretty energy inefficient, as heated air from the room is drawn up the chimney. If you have burning embers in your fireplace when you go to bed a night, you’ll want to keep your flue open to protect yourself from carbon monoxide. Don’t keep your flue open all of the time because you will lose a great deal of heat this way.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are everyone's favorite summer budget-saver. But they can help out in the winter months as well! Have your ceiling fans move in a clockwise direction so they push hot air along the ceiling towards the floor. If they're going counterclockwise, they won't be as effective. 

Safety Measures

While this step doesn’t quite fit into our 3 W’s, as we work harder against energy waste and weather elements, we have to think about safety from carbon monoxide and fire. That’s why its important to think about your home alarms. The usual rule of thumb is to change your fire and carbon monoxide batteries with the seasonal time change. But if you haven’t done that yet, take the time to do it now. A fire in the fire place and the use of space heaters increase the hazards for carbon monoxide and for fire, so having these alarms in good working order is critical for your safety. While you’re at it, think about other supplies you might need in a weather emergency. Now’s the time to stock up on flashlights and batteries, candles and matches and perhaps bottled water and canned food, in case of a multi-day power outage.

Start the season off right with a clean fireplace and a well-working flue.

Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer cooling!

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Water

Roof & Gutters

Leaves have been falling! Have they been collecting into your gutters? Make sure they get cleaned out. Gutters help direct water away from your home. You want to make sure they are able to do their job. And consider installing leaf guards in the spring. This small investment can help save you time and money in the fall and winter. Do a visual inspection of your roof. Do you have loose shingles?  Is your flashing loose? Make those repairs before it is snowy and icy or before the wind takes loose shingles and sends them flying!

Outside Water

In the winter, water is not your friend as temperatures drop. Make sure you disconnect garden hoses and drain all external water sources. If you use an automatic sprinkler system, you should have your service provider out to blow the water out. If water is to freeze, you could have a broken pipe on your hand, which will be costly to repair. Does your air conditioner have a water shut-off valve? If so, it’s time to turn it off. Once again, if you’re leaving the house for a vacation, make sure you keep your heat set to at least 60-degrees to save your pipes.

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Wind

Landscaping 

Take a stroll around your home. Are tree branches hanging near your home or exterior wires? Time to call a local landscaper or tree service to make sure you remove low hanging branches. If these branches get heavy with ice, they could cause a lot of damage. A strong wind storm can end up doing a lot of damage

 Equipment

Do you have the equipment you need? Does your snow blower need a tune up? Do you need new show shovels? How’s your supply of ice melter? It’s easier to stock up now than when an impending storm is approaching. Summer is over, but don’t neglect those garden tools. Now is a time to make sure everything is clean and put away safely. While you’re at it, this is a good time to put away your deck furniture to protect it from elements and to protect your home should heavy winds turn outdoor décor into projectiles

It’s easier to protect your home all winter long if you have the right tools. Invest in them now!

Trim branches before strong winds or ice do damage to surrounding structures.

Need more tips on protecting your home? Follow us on Facebook @TheEnglishContractor.