MAY-ke it Beautiful: May Home Maintenance Checklist

MAY-ke it Beautiful: May Home Maintenance Checklist

We dealt with a lot of storm prep and cleaning out winter debris last month, so this month is mainly focused on a couple smelly things— literally, we’re talking septic and mulch :-)— and the rest is all about landscaping and making your yard a beautiful oasis for the summer months. 

First, let’s take care of some quick and easy tasks to get them checked off of our list.

Change Furnace Filters

We’ve done this one a couple of times already this year, so this should be a quick and easy one to check off of your list. If you need a refresher, feel free to check out an old blog here.

Oil Garage Door Tracks

This task is pretty easy once you choose the right type of lubricant for your garage door. An aerosol, all-weather, silicone or white lithium spray is best to not only get inside the small, moving parts, but also so you don’t get any build-up. Before lubricated your door, you want to run through a quick checklist: 

1. Tighten and inspect each part of your garage door. You want nuts and bolts to be snug and check your door for worn parts. 

2. Inspect the rollers. Ensure there isn’t a ton of dirt or break down on your bearings. If there is, you may notice them wobbling around too much and creating unnecessary noise.

3. Check the hinges and opener chain. Worn hinges can also be noisy as well as a loose chain. Tighten the chain if necessary. 

Now, you’re ready to lube up your door. First, you’ll need to turn the power off (to the opener if you have one). Grab a damp rag and wipe the inside and outside of the tracks to remove any debris. If there’s too much grime on your tracks, use an automotive brake cleaner, but NEVER use your lubricant on the tracks. Next, open your garage door manually and lubricate each of your hinges where they meet the bend of the track and all rollers (including the tiny ball bearings). Wipe away all excess lube. Then, do the same to the springs and bearing plates at the top of your garage door and open and close the door a few times to even distribute the lubricant. Finally, lube the arm-bar and lock (if you have one) and the top of the rail, spreading the grease around with a rag. Avoid greasing up your chain as well, as it already has a natural lubricant. 

Pump and Inspect Septic Tank

The country is gorgeous, but living off of the grid or off of town and city water means that you’ll have to maintain that septic tank. Things can get a little sticky— or stinky, we should say— but if you keep up with yearly maintenance, you should not have any major issues. As long as you aren’t flushing inappropriate things down your toilet, simply having a professional pump your septic every 3-5 years should keep major plumbing issues at bay. 

You may want to hire a professional to inspect your septic system if you notice any of the following: 

• Puddles- If you see puddles above your septic system or drain field, you may have a blockage. It could even be some waste itself, so keep your family and animals away from it until you get an inspector out there. 

• Green grass- If you notice that your grass is greener over your septic tank compared to other areas of your yard, it could indicate a larger issue, such as the drain field or tank not working as it should be. 

• Plumbing back-ups- If you notice your water isn’t draining as it should be, you might have a blockage.

• Strong odors- If you notice a strong stench, you can probably guess that isn’t a good sign. 

  
  

If you notice any of the above, you should spend the money on hiring a professional to ensure you don’t have any larger issues brewing beneath the surface of your yard. There are also septic-specific products that, when used monthly or quarterly (typically by flushing them down the toilet), will help keep your septic system running smoothly. Having your system pumped every few years and always keeping a look-out for those signs of trouble can save you loads down the road as well. 

Now that we’ve flushed those issues, it’s time to make your home more beautiful!

Add Fresh Mulch to Your Yard

Those winter and early spring storms probably did a number on your flower beds and other green areas. Now is the time to add some fresh mulch to keep that curb appeal looking, well, appealing. You may also prefer to use some alternative materials such as small pebbles or rocks for different areas, but it’s time to replenish whatever added elements you have in your landscaping. 

There’s a wide variety of mulches as well as various types of wood chips, rocks, and other materials that may work better in your yard or for your area. Visit your local garden center or perhaps do a quick internet or Pinterest search to discover what you can do to spruce up your yard game. 

By this time of year, too, most of us don’t have to worry about frost killing our plants, so we can get those gardens going and plant some flowers, herbs, or vegetables. You may want to reference some experts though or do a quick search for the best times to plant for your specific area and which types of flowers and/or veggies really thrive for the soil and climate you have. 

Trim Trees, Bushes, & Shrubs

Speaking of sprucing, now is the time to trim up that spruce or other type of tree you may have adorning your lawn, get those bushes in check, and cut those shrubs down for a clean look and manageable landscape. Bushes and hedges can make great privacy fences, but you don’t want them to be out of control— and you don’t need to have your trees and bushes overwhelming a property line or neighbor’s yard either. 

Charge up those battery packs or rent some tools if you don’t have them and do it yourself! Use any wood or small branches for a nice outside fire or dispose of your yard waste appropriately for your local municipality. You can also always hire a landscaping crew if you have too many trees or too tall of timbers to handle the job yourself. 

Whatever will make your yard or time spent outside more enjoyable throughout the summer, it’s time to do and put in the effort now. You’ll be able to enjoy the fruits (possibly literally) of your labors throughout those summer months, and doing it now when it’s a little cooler will help, too. If you are in need of any hot ideas for summer landscaping, feel free to reach out to our team.