It’s been super cold outside, and who knows what February will bring. Take advantage of this indoor time by addressing some issues that can help make your home safer, cozier, more comfortable and energy efficient all year round.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Sometimes you just need an extra pair of hands. Have a long honey-do list? Need help rearranging your storage area? We now offer Chore Taskers (“handyman lite”), a less expensive alternative to our handyman service. Assembly/disassembly tasks; moving boxes and heavy items within your home; hanging shelves, mirrors, gallery walls, artwork; packing/unpacking; changing light bulbs in those hard-to-reach areas — basically anything that doesn’t require a skilled handyperson or carpenter. Chore Taskers show up on time, are professional, organized and get the job done, no matter how large or small. Schedule Chore Taskers today
2. What’s up?
Winter is the best time to do an attic assessment. Issues such as mold typically get their start in attics in the winter when the warm, moist air is continually freezing and thawing. If your home is cold and drafty, it’s probably due to lack of sufficient insulation or inadequate sealing of existing insulation. And don’t overlook that unheated attic access door or the stairs leading to the attic. You may be spending much more on heating and cooling than you need to. Find out “what’s up” with your home — schedule an attic assessment
3. Breathe better
In winter, you spend most of your time indoors (especially THIS winter!). If you live in a home that’s heated or cooled using ductwork and forced air, you should take a serious look at your indoor air quality. The microscopic dust and dirt that ends up along the bottom of air ducts mostly consists of human and pet dander and construction and environmental debris. Under the right conditions with the right level of moisture, organic lifeforms multiply and end up in the air you breathe — not good. Schedule duct cleaning now
4. Deep clean
Unless your home is airtight there is air that passes through crawlspaces and basements and up through the entire house. Dirt and dust enter through cracks and crevices. The fix? Professional cleaners from Get Dwell work in teams of two, wearing backpack vacuums. They bring all the cleaning equipment needed to get your job done professionally. Using only organic products and cleaning top down, they’ll wipe, vacuum and mop any surface needed. Schedule a Get Dwell cleaning team today
5. Lighten your load
While you’re trapped indoors by frigid weather, why not take stock and declutter your home? Create flow in your life by getting rid of unwanted items. Then, schedule Get Dwell to make that junk disappear!
6. Window well worries
Worry doesn’t do any good — take action! On the next sunny day, inspect the drains in the bottom of your window wells. Make sure those drains aren’t covered over with frozen leaves and debris causing an ice dam that can cause basement flooding. And remember to check for plastic bags that commonly get sucked down and cause flooding.
7. Protect your basement
Typically an overflowing gutter, downspout or roof valley above the window well is the cause of basement flooding. If you don’t already have them, consider investing now in window well covers. Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping your window wells free of debris, window well covers can withstand 650 pounds (from falling branches, critters, meteors … whatever), allow 98% of sunshine in and keep your basement safe from flooding. Stop worrying — contact us today to schedule window well cover installation
8. Gutters guard your house
Take a walk around the outside of your house on a day when the temp is below freezing. Are there icicles hanging from the gutters? Ice forming in your downspouts? This is likely caused by leaves and debris clogging the gutters. Eliminate gutter cleaning for life while protecting your home with time-tested and proven gutter guards. We use guards that are tough, attractive and the ones that in our experience work best for Chicago’s weather extremes. Increase the value of your home and cut down on maintenance costs — schedule gutter guard installation today
9. Remodel & rejuvenate
Remodeling season kicks off in the Chicago area each February. This year, like most, bathroom remodels are topping many a wish list. What are you dreaming of for your home? Talk to us about the vision you have for your remodeling project
10. Get out the snow rake!
Don’t wait until a blizzard hits to buy that snow rake — you won’t find one anywhere! Ice dams form at the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow (water) from draining off. You can remove the snow with a snow rake before it melts and refreezes. When and if you discover ice damming conditions at your house, many other homes will be experiencing the same thing. Don’t be left out in the cold. Clearing the snow behind the dam can mean the difference between a little water damage and water pouring through the roof and causing damage to ceilings and all the floors beneath them. Now’s the time to purchase a snow rake at your local, family-owned hardware store — before they’re all gone!
It is often said that “beating the market” is incredibly difficult and that even most professional investors are unable to do it consistently. Your home is a major investment — maintaining and upgrading it will definitely pay dividends in the future. It’s a sure thing!