August is a month filled with possibility and potential. While it can be bittersweet to say goodbye to summer, it’s also a time to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future.
1. Don’t be a tracker!
You work hard to keep your home clean — a mud room can help. It acts as a transition zone between the outside and the inside. Keep family, pets and guests from tracking in dirt, leaving muddy footprints on floors and carpets. Kids can deposit muddy, wet, dusty outerwear, boots, shoes and sports gear until they can be cleaned. Hooks, boxes or cubbies help keep clean clothes, footwear and sports gear organized. We can help you devise an ideal solution for your needs — contact us here.
2. All hands on deck
Wouldn’t it be nice to entertain guests without being embarrassed about the shabby condition of your splintered, scuffed outdoor space? Maintaining your deck allows you to enjoy the outside for as long as the weather is good. We can repair, rebuild and refresh your decks, porches and railings. A rejuvenated deck also increases your home’s value. If you want, we can even design and build one for you. Request a deck repair or deck refresh estimate
3. Keep critters out
Seal exterior holes in your house to keep critters out. Raccoons, bats, squirrels, birds, mice and other animals can fit into very small holes or gaps. In fall, these animal neighbors seek a cozy place to nest for the winter. Once they figure out how to penetrate your home’s exterior, they can come and go undetected. Walk around your home’s exterior and look for access points. Check for gaps and holes around all your home’s exterior penetrations such as outside faucets, A/C condenser pipes, cables and electric/natural gas lines; kitchen/bathroom fans; clothes dryer exhaust hood vents; venting for large mechanicals. Using the right caulk can seal most openings. Take photos and visit your local family-owned hardware store for solutions and advice — or contact us for help.
4. Control the light
Skylights bring the outside in by adding more natural light, reducing the need for artificial light. However, skylights can also heat up a room in summer and make it difficult to darken a room during daytime. Skylights are now available with stylish and functional shade options available in both light-filtering and room-darkening “blackout” styles. Motorized skylight shades work by remote control or via smartphone app, especially convenient if you plan to open and close your shades multiple times a day. If you’re looking to install skylights in a place where daytime naps occur or in a home movie theater, choose a blackout shade. If you’re less concerned with blocking light, go with light-filtering shades available in multiple colors and styles (some even dampen sound and reduce noise). Solar battery recharging options are also available. Let us help design the best skylight and shade options for your home — contact us today for an estimate.
5. Drone roof assessment
Stop worrying about the condition of your roof: take action to confirm or alleviate your suspicions. Our drone roof assessment will let you know the status of your roof before leaks result in costly repairs. Oftentimes roofs need only repair as opposed to entire replacements. But you won’t know that unless you have a drone video map your roof. Our experts will provide an assessment and an estimate for repair or replacement if needed. Schedule a drone assessment today
6. Fences, gates and hinges … oh yeah!
Fenceposts rot and fences deteriorate from summer sun and rainstorms. Gates also get lots of abuse (opening, closing, opening … do you have a gate slammer in your family?). It’s best to get fences, gates and hinges repaired before winter. We handle simple or complex fixes on all types of fences, including wood, wrought iron, aluminum, composite, steel and vinyl. Schedule a fence/gate repair estimate today
7. Moisture / mold / mildew prevention
Warm, moist weather can accelerate the growth of mold in your home. If you suspect mold is present, investigate immediately. We use mold removal experts with state-of-the-art equipment to identify sources of moisture and dry out wall cavities. They’ll remove the mold safely, then develop a plan to prevent its reoccurrence. Request a mold cleanup estimate today
8. Preventative healthcare for your home
Chicago-area weather extremes take a toll on homes. A regular home checkup can identify small problems before they turn into big, costly headaches. With 20+ years of experience maintaining customers’ homes, Get Dwell professionals examine all of the nooks and crannies inside your home (attic, crawl space, basement, etc.) and inspect all surfaces and areas outside — anywhere water might get in. After the detailed assessment, we review our findings with you and help prioritize any recommended repairs or maintenance needs.
- One assessment: $199 or $19.99/month payment plan
- Two assessments in a year (for better seasonal protection): $349 or $32.99/month payment plan
- For homes with 5+ bedrooms, we will customize your estate assessment.
Protect your investment with a Whole Home Assessment
9. Repainting, refreshing — inside and out
August is a great time to freshen up your home’s surfaces. Our EPA-certified painters are experts at interior and exterior painting. They’re craftspeople with years of experience using painting and finishing best practices and only the finest products and paints (e.g., Benjamin Moore) so you’re assured of professional, long-lasting finishes. The team is led by an industry veteran with 25+ years of painting/decorating experience working on high-end Chicago-area homes. Your home will be clean and dust free for the duration of the project and after completion. Request a painting estimate today
10. Vacation help
Sometimes you need someone you trust to check up on things while you’re away. Big summer storms can bring downed trees, roof damage, flooding and more. Whether you’re doing the grand tour of Europe or hiking the Grand Canyon, put your mind at ease by having a professional from Get Dwell stop by and make sure everything is alright on the home front. When you return, if it turns out something needs fixing we’ll get you scheduled ASAP. Reach out for help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Maintaining a home is challenging. Get Dwell has your back! Contact us for expert advice.