Maintenance & Long-Term Care
Protecting your real estate investment requires a proactive, seasonal maintenance schedule. Neglecting basic upkeep quickly unravels the hard work and money you poured into your renovation.
In the spring, focus on water management. Clean your gutters and downspouts meticulously; clogged gutters force rainwater to spill over the sides, which inevitably damages your foundation and floods basements. Check the grading around the perimeter of your house to ensure soil slopes away from the foundation walls. In the summer, schedule a professional servicing for your air conditioning unit to clean the condenser coils and check refrigerant levels. Change your indoor air filters every sixty days—or every thirty days if you own pets.
When fall arrives, prepare for the dropping temperatures. Disconnect all exterior garden hoses and shut off the interior valves to your outdoor spigots to prevent frozen, burst pipes. Have your furnace inspected and your chimney swept if you plan to use a wood-burning fireplace.
Maintain your new interior finishes with gentle care. Clean luxury vinyl plank flooring using a pH-neutral cleaner and a microfiber mop; avoid steam mops, as extreme heat forces moisture between the planks and compromises the adhesive. Wash your freshly painted cabinets with a simple solution of warm water and mild dish soap, avoiding abrasive sponges that scratch the enamel finish. Consistent, gentle maintenance keeps your home looking brand new for decades.
