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To keep on top of home maintenance this year, designate an office calendar for keeping track of appointments and scheduling. Include a list of important numbers (HVAC, plumbing, garage, pool, etc.) and the best time to schedule services. Keep it in your home office, close to appliance warranties so you’ll know when to have them serviced as well.
January and February are good times to replace your AC units because it is the slowest time of the year for HVAC work, Bob Whiteson of United Mechanical says. As an added bonus, updating your system to a more energy efficient unit will help cut utility costs and keep you cooler in the hot summer months.
According to Eric Wales of Dallas Gutter & Repair, cleaning your gutters one or two times a year is usually not enough. Make a resolution to start the year off right with your gutters. “As few as 10 to 20 leaves can clog the opening of a standard downspout,” he says. To prevent so many cleanings, Wales suggests the Roll-Lock Gutter Guard. “It’s steel, so it’s strong, and it’s powder coated black to prevent rust and appear less visible than shiny silver types.” An alternative to a leaf screen, he says, is a solid top cover system, designed to channel water into the gutters while sending debris to the ground.
GARDEN
The colder months in Dallas make for a contemplative time for gardeners. Begin planning your spring garden by ordering plants and seed packets. Also keep up with routine garden maintenance such as keeping flowerbeds free of debris, turning your compost pile periodically, and watering between rainfall.
Typically, the busiest time of year for landscapers is the spring, so plan accordingly when changing or hiring your landscaper. Make sure to schedule all services early to ensure availability.
Because the cold weather inhibits growth, now is the time to plant or relocate trees and shrubs. Talk to your landscaper about additions you want to make to your yard.
Apply dormant oil to help rid plants and trees of insects. Doing so during the colder months means a greater chance of killing all pests, whose levels are lowest at this time. Many pest control companies provide this service.
Keep your trees in check. Prune nut, landscape, fruit, and summer flowering trees to keep them trim and growing away from rooftops and power lines. Now is also the time to prune most rose varieties.
Don’t give up on your holiday poinsettias. Keep them looking good year-round by keeping them in bright but indirect sunlight in humid conditions (a mister should do if you value space in your bathroom). Also be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings.
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