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Fall Home Maintenance

Wednesday, September 21, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Fall is the perfect time of year to take care of your home. The days are still long enough to get plenty accomplished, and the cooler weather makes it less taxing than on those sweltering Summer days.  Getting things ready for the cold days ahead will be easy with these tips:

Trees and Leaves

  • Rake or vacuum fallen leaves as they come down.  Deciduous trees drop their leaves at different times, making it easier on you, but it’s great exercise.
  • Mulch the leaves, or bag them for your local waste management to compost, if such a program is available. 
  • Check trees for dead or diseased branches and trim them back.  Trees are going dormant this time of year, and there’s less chance for the diseases to spread after trimming. Call an arborist if the job is too daunting.
  • Fall is the best time of year to plant new trees! The roots don’t have to compete with the heat, they get plenty of water from the Autumn rain, and can settle in and get established.
  • Clean those gutters.  This can be a dreaded task, so hire a handy person or have the family pitch in to finish as quickly as possible.
  • Been thinking about changing the exterior color? Fall is a great time to paint, thanks to cooler temperatures.

General Outdoors

  • Bring in any outdoor furniture, or protect it with covers  made specifically for handling cold weather. 
  • Firewood needs to be covered with a tarp to minimize moisture from snow and rain. Lift the cover occasionally to let any trapped moisture escape.
  • Check all of your outdoor lighting, and replace any bulbs or fixtures.
  • Walk around all of the walkways and driveways, looking for cracks, and seal them with approved sealant.  Snow and ice can cause the surfaces to bulge and cause a falling hazard.
  • Clean the windows, inside and out, and replace screens with storm windows.
  • Service and store the mower, string trimmer, and any other lawn tools you may use.
  • Drain water hoses and store them where they can’t freeze. If you have a sprinkler system, drain it and turn it off.
  • Check your outdoor fireplace or fire pit to make sure it’s safe for the upcoming cool evenings around the fire.

Inside The House

  • Service the furnace. It’s easy to make sure filters are changed and ready to go, but a call to a heat and air contractor is the best way to make sure the heater is ready for Winter.  Sometimes a maintenance contract can save you money.  Ask your provider if they offer this service.
  • Check doors and windows for drafts, and seal with caulking or insulation strips.
  • See that your chimney is free of creosote to prevent fires.  A licensed chimney sweep would be the best for making sure your home and family are safe from chimney fires.
  • Make certain that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order, and replace batteries if necessary.
  • Go in the attic and look for any insulation issues, and replace or repair, if needed.  Be sure that pests can’t get inside and spend the winter in your attic!
  • Change the rotation on ceiling fans.  It should be going in a clockwise direction to help distribute heat away from the ceiling.
  • Wash and/or air out heavy blankets and quilts to get them freshened up for use.
  • If you have a basement in your home, check for cracks in the walls, and if there’s a sump pump, make sure it’s in working order.
  • Clean out closets and storage areas and have a tag sale with unwanted items that are still in great condition.

Be ready for a relaxing, warm Winter inside your home.  Home maintenance--indoors as well as outdoors--is critical for keeping your home’s value up, as well as for our own comfort.  

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

Photo credit: blog.leviton.com/fall-cleanup-101

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A New Homeowner's First To-Do List

Wednesday, September 14, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Your new home’s closing is imminent, and the excitement of moving is mounting! Besides connecting utilities and updating your address, some things should be done at the new house as soon as possible. Follow these guidelines so nothing will be forgotten: 

 

  • - All of the entryway locks and/or keypad codes should be changed. Get a security system set up, and if there is one in place, reset it to default settings and customize it to your needs. 
     

  • - If you are a family with small children, have safety measures in place before everyone goes into the house.  
     

  • - Deep clean the new house, even if it looks clean. Save money by doing this yourself, or have a professional take care of this before move-in. 
     

  • - With a copy of the home inspection in hand, walk through the house and check for minor things that did not require repair by the seller. Have those minor things taken care of before they become major (and costly) things. 
     

  • - Painting, removing textured ceilings, and other small improvement jobs will be completed faster if done before all your belongings are in place.  
     

  • - Turn on all the appliances, familiarize yourself with the breaker panel, and locate the shut-off valves for utilities. 
     

  • - Measure windows and purchase blinds or shades if window treatments were not included in the sale. 
     

  • - Get to know your neighbors! Once you have moved in, introduce yourself by hosting a “front porch social” with simple snacks. Hang a banner or place a sign in the front yard asking them to stop by and say “hello.” 

 

As a homeowner, your to-do list is rarely going to be finished. While many tasks can wait until after settling in, others cannot. Taking care of these “little” things upon move-in will cement the “homeowner” feeling and start you on the road to pride in your home and protection of your investment. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Forbes

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Making Changes? Check Your Homeowners Policy

Wednesday, September 7, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Renovating your home is no small investment. Making structural changes can require changes in your home’s insurance policy as well. Check out this list of the most popular improvements before calling your agent: 

 

  • A new roof could lower your premium, especially when upgraded to the latest standards of protecting your home from natural disasters. 
     

  • Whenever you increase square footage by way of a home addition, your policy will need to be upgraded, increasing your premium. 
     

  • Converting already-existing space into a master suite or a media room may not require changes to the policy if the square footage is already covered, but since the replacement value has changed, it would be wise to increase your coverage. 
     

  • When making upgrades to your home, whether using top-quality building materials for a renovation or finishes or installing state-of-the-art appliances in the kitchen, increasing your policy’s replacement value for these items would be worth the additional amount in the premium. 
     

  • Improving home systems, i.e., the electrical or plumbing, can lower your premiums, as upgrades can make your home safer from incidents relating to fire and leaking pipes. 
     

  • Installing a pool or hot tub in your backyard will add to the replacement value of your home, and liability coverage will need to be increased to protect yourself in case of any accidents. 
     

  • According to Safewise, adding a home security system could lower your homeowner’s premium by 20%.   
     

  • Depending on how they are mounted, adding solar panels may require a policy of their own, which would add to your budget.  

 

Protecting your home should be top priority, but it is wise to be prepared for anything that will add to your monthly budget. Schedule a meeting with your insurance agent before beginning any changes in your home so there will be no surprises when your payments increase. 

 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: insurancehotline.com 

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Budget Bathroom Updates

Wednesday, August 31, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

You love your new home--everything about it.  Well, almost everything.  Your bathroom decor is stuck in 1983 with its gingko leaf-etched shower doors, mauve and Colonial blue wallpaper complete with coordinating border, and ornamented brass fixtures.  If a complete overhaul isn’t in your budget just yet, there are plenty of options that are easy on the wallet.  Check out these tips for inspiration! 

 

  • - Paint over the wallpaper!  Benjamin MooreⓇ suggests you start by sealing any peeling spots with adhesive, applying clear caulking around the room where the wallpaper meets the ceiling and floor, then priming the wallpaper with an oil-based primer.  Using your choice of latex interior paint, paint as you would any other wall surface.   
     

  • - Switching out the dated sink fixtures is as simple as finding the correct pieces to go into the configuration for the existing fixture in a style you like.  Once you’ve made your decision, confident do-it-yourselfers can switch them out themselves, and Home Depot shares this step-by-step video how-to for sink faucet installation. 
     

  • - Updating your light fixture can be a huge improvement, and the choices are almost endless at local home stores.  Changing the location of the light, or adding wall sconces may require a call to a reputable electrician, so don’t forget to budget those extra costs. 
     

  • - Ugly linoleum can be covered with adhesive-backed vinyl tile or painted with porch paint, and if you’re feeling creative, you can have a custom look like this striped floor from 1915 House. Supplies may cost a bit more than other paint jobs, but it beats the expense of replacing the flooring. 
     

  • - Replacing the cabinet can be expensive between the new cabinet and labor, so the best way to improve it is to paint it and add new hardware.  Countertops, depending on what material they are, can be painted or even tiled for a fresh look. 
     

  • - Add style to a plain mounted mirror with a frame! Framing kits come with everything you need for this quick update, and are available at home centers and online for less than $100. 
     

  • - If your budget is tight, just the purchase of a new shower curtain, window treatment, inexpensive framed prints, and one nice coordinating towel set can make a huge improvement to your dated bathroom.   

 

According to homeadvisor.com, the average bathroom remodel costs about $10,000.  If your new home needs updates, choose what you’ll do first according to your budget.  Tiding over with a few inexpensive updates to your bathroom will ease the anxiety of getting it done sooner, because it will be more pleasing to the eye.  Save yourself some stress and money by holding out just a little longer, and when it’s time, you’ll have the perfect bathroom! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: StateFarm

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Items to Throw Out Before You Move

Wednesday, August 17, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

 

Although moving from an old house into a new house can be an exciting time it can also be a very stressful time for those folks who don’t like to throw anything out.  Don’t worry you can keep most of your items but there are a few that should most definitely be thrown out before you move and those are listed for you below.   

 

  1. 1. If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them and you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive. 

  2.   

  1. 2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life and once that has passed it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you might perhaps use it once or twice there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.   

  2.  

  1. 3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen maybe things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.  

  2.  

  1. 4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.   

  2.  

  1. 5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.   

  2.  

  1. 6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.   

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These are just a few ideas of things you might want to get rid of before you move.  By doing this you will avoid having to unpack all sorts of unnecessary items and will save yourself a ton of time in the process.   

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Budget Dumpster

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Fung Shui Ideas for Your New Home

Wednesday, August 10, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Decorating a new home is a fun process.  Whether or not you are an experienced decorator,  you can look and feel like a pro with the aid of some fung shui.  Below are a few ideas on how to make it work for your new home.  
 

  1.  Many folks like to hang mirrors at their entrance way to make the space look larger and more inviting as well.  Be sure to place your mirror on a side wall as you walk in instead of directly across from the door.  This will help with the flow of things as guests enter your house.  They will be able to see themselves and feel welcomed as they arrive as opposed to feeling like they are being pushed out with their own reflection.   
     

  1. Another way to make fung shui work for you  is to keep clutter to a minimum.  This is especially true in the bedroom because a bedroom is a place of rest.  If there is a lot of junk all around the room those who spend time there will likely feel a bit disheveled.  If you feel as if you don’t know enough about this topic to do the job right, you can always higher an expert to help get you started in the right direction.   
     

  1. Make sure that if you want to have live plants in your home that you place them in areas where folks will be hanging out and spending quality time together.  Try not to place live plants in areas where sleep takes place such as the bedroom because you need items that give off restfulness.    
     

  1. Leaving the toilet lid closed is a great, easy little trick that will help to make everyone who enters your bathroom feel good about the space.    
     

  1. Keeping the flooring all one type in the home helps the energy to flow freely.  Try not to use two different types of flooring butted up against one another if you can help it as this will weaken the energy of the home. 
     

  1. Be sure to place your bed across from the door to the bedroom or at least at a spot where the door can be easily seen.  This will enhance the comfort level of the room as opposed to putting the bed on the same wall as the door.  

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Fung Shui is fun and interesting and it really does work to help the energy of the home   feel comfortable and welcoming.  
 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: sheknows.com 

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Protecting Smart Home Devices

Wednesday, August 3, 2022
by Tucker Robbins


Having a smart home is becoming more affordable every year, and using automated devices is so convenient! However, many homeowners simply plug everything in and connect it to the home network, but this can be a mistake. Security should be a priority when buying anything for a smart home. Keep your smart devices secure with these tips:  

 

  • - Expert Michael Horowitz suggests purchasing your modem/wireless router instead of leasing it from your internet provider. Ownership of the equipment allows more freedom to change settings and passwords and update the firmware. 
     

  • - If leased equipment is already in place, use the router’s IP address, (most are found on a label on the router itself), and change the name of the router, the wifi connection, and create new passwords for both.  
     

  • - Two- or multi-factor authentication is the next important step. Use a password keeper to create strong passwords and keep those passwords safe but accessible to you. 
     

  • - Setting up a home network on your own can be intimidating, so hire a pro or ask a friend who has the know-how to help you. Having a home network will keep your “internet of things” connected separately, thus, less vulnerable to hacking or spying. Another benefit is if one device becomes infected with a virus, home computers and other devices that us a different network will not “catch” anything and remain safe from irreparable damage. 
     

  • - Changing the router’s firewall settings is one way to add security from hacking, but purchasing a separate firewall is almost like having a double wall between your home’s network security and the bad guys! 
     

  • - Privacy is a must: configure all “listening” devices to limit the data they record and share.
          

  • - Enable automatic updates on all devices during setup. If that is not an option, set a reminder to check for firmware updates at least once per week. 

 

Finally, when you upgrade to any new devices, reset the setting of the old ones to factory default. Thus, if you sell or give away any of those items, your custom settings are not available to the new owners. You hold the keys to the security of your home’s smart devices and going through the process of good security setup may take some time, but the effort is worth it! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: www.kaspersky.com

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Keeping Cool Without Turning Down the AC

Wednesday, July 20, 2022
by Tucker Robbins


Let’s face it:  Summer heat waves can drain the energy from our bodies, but it can also drain the money right out of our bank accounts when the energy bill comes due.  Turning the thermostat down seems logical, but not always the best thing to do to cool the house off.  Here are some practical things we can do to help our AC keep the home comfortable: 

 

  • - Keeping shades drawn in rooms where the sun comes streaming in is a great first defense on staying cool inside.  Doing this simple thing can lower the inside temps 30%! 
     

  • - When you’re away, program the thermostat to 80°, and then down to 75° once you are home.  No need to cool an unoccupied house, and leaving it off completely causes not only heat, but humidity, to build up. If those settings seem warm, give it a week, and you’ll find that your body acclimates to the warmer temperatures! 
     

  • - Utilizing fans is an inexpensive way to help stay cool; your ceiling fan should be turning counterclockwise (find the direction toggle switch near the fan speed chain), and floor fans should blow towards you at a comfortable speed. 
          

  • - Planting large shrubbery and plants with heavy foliage on the sunny sides of the house not only makes the landscaping attractive, the plants help block the heat, making the outside cooler, thus, the inside will stay cooler. 
     

  • - Permanent awnings and shutters are easy ways to block sun, as are retractable curtain awnings.   
     

  • - Allowing all interior doors to stay open will help the air circulate fully and helps keep hot spots from forming.  Leave air registers open, even in unoccupied rooms, to avoid putting a strain on ductwork over time. 
     

  • - Using a dehumidifier will, obviously, reduce the moisture in the air, making the house feel cooler. 
     

  • - Time your clothes-drying and dishwashing for nighttime hours and keep the house cooler in the daytime and save on your electric bill. Most energy companies have off-peak consumption hours at night and early mornings. 
     

  • - Cooking will heat up the kitchen, so learn how to plan your cooking early or later in the day and make use of a toaster oven creates less heat than turning the oven on. 

 

One of the best things you can do to help your unit running well and keeping things cool is maintenance!  Have a pro come and service it, change filters when they are visibly dirty, make sure the evaporator drain can run freely, and keep the air flowing nicely around the unit. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

Photo credit: onehourmiamisouth.com

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Tips for Late Season Gardening

Wednesday, July 6, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Hopefully, this time of year has gardeners busy harvesting vegetables and enjoying their landscapes that are bursting with blooms! This is not the time of the gardening season to slack up, no matter the heat.  Late summertime in the garden is just as important as planning time. Here are some tips to help keep things growing: 

 

Vegetable Gardens 

  • - Mulching is imperative for keeping the soil moist as well as saving time and money.  A free mulch can be applied by laying down grass clippings every time you mow. Getting clippings from others is great, too; just be certain there are no weed seeds or unwanted chemicals used on their lawns.
     

  • - Keep your garden rows covered with a generous layer of compost to fertilize through the rest of the Summer. The nutrients will seep into the soil whenever you water the garden. 
     

  • - Pinch blooming herbs back to extend their growing season. If the herb garden is giving more than you can use, give some away or freeze them.  
     

  • - Afternoon storms sometimes bring heavy winds. Check around fruit trees afterward for windfalls--rotting fruit is an invitation for unwelcome pests that can kill your trees. 
     

  • - Have you already cleaned out a few garden rows?  Planting a summer cover crop helps discourage weeds and will be beneficial to the soil when you till it in. 

 

Landscaping and Flower Gardens 

  • - Weeds do not need pampering like your ornamental plants, so pull them as soon as possible. Allowing them to get large enough to flower will mean spreading more seeds and creating more work for yourself. 
     

  • - Annual flowers need deadheading, (removing spent blooms.)  This will encourage them to continue to blossom and provide full color until autumn. 
     

  • - When flowering shrubs start outgrowing their space, they may need pruning, but be certain you are pruning at the right time of year. For instance, a fading hydrangea should be pruned now to keep from cutting off next spring’s buds. Camellias and other late spring bloomers have already formed new buds. Wait until after they have bloomed to prune. 
     

  • - Spending some time away from home?  If you have asked a neighbor to watch over your plants, make sure you get someone with gardening experience.  You do not want to come home to plants that are dying because they were over- or under-watered. 

 

Try to get outside first thing in the morning or in the last few hours of daylight to avoid getting too hot when working in the garden or yard.  Hydrate yourself, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen, and take cooling-off breaks if you get too uncomfortable.  Take care of yourself so you can enjoy the fruits--and veggies--of your labor! 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.   

 

Photo credit: Garden View Landscape

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Short-Term Fixes for Urgent Home Repairs

Wednesday, June 8, 2022
by Tucker Robbins

Things happen, and it seems that they usually happen on weekends or after normal working hours. What do you do until a professional makes a service call? Find the temporary solution to many emergency needs here: 

 

  • Leaky roof:  Search for the leaking area in the attic while it is raining and call a roofing company or handyman as soon as possible. Cover the area with a heavy-duty tarp, using nails to keep it in place.  
     

  • Broken window: Wearing work gloves and safety glasses, remove any broken glass pieces. Use heavy-duty plastic and weather-proof tape to cover the hole or cover the window completely, sealing it well to keep out rain or cold. 
     

  • Leaking water pipe: Turn the water off at your water main. Stop small leaks with epoxy putty. Do not allow pipes to continue to leak or think the putty will hold forever. Have a plumber address the issues. 
     

  • Water heater leak: The first thing that should be done is to turn off the water heater breaker or gas flow, then turn off the cold-water flow to the heater. Call your plumber immediately, then start cleaning up with towels or a wet/dry vacuum. If water has flooded the room, take photos before cleaning up, and call your insurance company. 
     

  • Clogged drain: Using a plunger for clogs is better and safer than using store-bought drain cleaners. This video from Ask This Old House shows homeowners the proper way to clear drains. If none of those solutions work, calling a plumber is in order, as a backed-up drain will eventually burst and create a much larger mess. 
     

  • Gas leak: Whenever you smell sulfur or the “rotten egg” odor, it is usually a gas leak. Get out of your home, turn the gas off outside by turning the valve control to a perpendicular position, and call your utility company immediately. Do not go back into the home until the leak has been checked and repaired. 

 

Keep in mind that these are temporary repairs! Neglecting to make repairs can cause extensive and costly damage to your home. The plumber's bill for a leaking water pipe is much less expensive than replacing rotting floors. Taking care of emergencies as quickly as possible protects your investment and saves money in the end. 

 

Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins. 

 

Photo credit:  The Home Depot 

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Tucker Robbins
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
3838 Kennett Pike
Wilmington DE 19807
(302) 777-7744 (direct)
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