by: HHHRVA April 2020
WOW, we are living in some crazy times right now aren’t we? We can ALL say that we have never experienced anything quite like this. It’s unprecedented and affects everyone and all facets of everyday American life. We all need to find ways to apply our individual skills to the issue in order to find practical solutions to everyday problems amid a torrent of restrictions and precautionary measures. As far as we at HHH are concerned, we find it our duty to do our best to help our customers and community with basic plumbing and home emergencies to the best of our ability, while educating everyone on how to handle the ‘not so dire’ tasks that are necessary for basic home maintenance and repair. It’s the least we can do. In doing our part we feel that some emergencies are necessary, like plumbing and some electrical. But everything else puts our customers (and our families) at risk. But if we can’t provide all of the services we would normally perform, we figure we could at least blog some advice and tips for maintaining your home while you are spending this time in it!
REPAINT A WALL (OR TWO)
Have the same old walls got you down? It may be time for a fresh coat of paint. While plain white paint can enliven a worn-out wall, you don’t have to restrict yourself to just one color. A striking shade on an accent wall can make a huge difference, transforming a tired, humdrum space into a brand-new living experience.
Most major paint companies sell online, and many have apps that allow you to preview their colors on photos of your walls. But be aware that virtual paint will not perfectly translate to real-world conditions, and you’ll still need to try it out in the space before committing. If you insist on shopping locally, we recommend Home Depot. Their Behr brand is the best bang for your buck in our opinion. If you want higher quality, Benjamin Moore is where it is at. Whatever your route, once you’ve decided on the colors you want, you’ll want to buy plenty of it, especially if you’re painting a more textured surface that requires additional coats. Keep in mind that the more expensive the paint the less you need, and vice versa.
Before jumping in, make sure you empty the room of all furniture and other items that could be damaged — if you don’t have the space, simply gather furniture at the center of the room and cover it, along with the floor, with drop cloths. Keep the space ventilated with fans and open windows. If you can, complete the project on a warm, dry day to ensure the fastest possible dry time.
To prep the walls, apply painter’s tape to the wall’s crown molding and base, outlets and light switches, doors, windows and corners. Make sure the tape is firm, using a putty knife as necessary. Stir the paint with a wooden paint stick before starting and re-stir throughout the process. Once the paint is mixed you can begin.
You’ll want to concentrate on one wall at a time, starting at the top and working your way down to the floor. A friend or significant other can use a roller to maximize coverage while you carefully apply paint with a brush in those areas requiring more precision. Wait until the first coat of paint dries before applying a second coat.
When it comes to painting, great results require patience. Now that you’re stuck indoors, you have the time to do it right.
MAKE SMALL REPAIRS
Seemingly minor nuisances like leaky faucets, loose cabinets and burned-out light bulbs may seem manageable, but they can add up, making your home uncomfortable and aggravating. Survey your home and make a list of all the small issues — a squeaky door hinge, stuck knob, clogged drain or dribbling faucet — and simply fix them.
Dated hardware can make even the newest home seem downright archaic. Spending more time at home offers a fantastic opportunity to switch out your old handles, knobs and faucets — it’s easy and affordable, and your online shopping options are endless. Just make sure your new hardware matches the overall design scheme of your home.
Routine maintenance helps reduce stress, making it a perfect, and productive, way to pass time while you’re stuck indoors. Once the coronavirus passes, you’ll be happy with all the small improvements you’ve made!
And virtually any replacement parts you can think of can be purchased online at Amazon if you wish to stay at home.
MAKE A SPRING MAINTENANCE TO DO LIST. HERE’S SOME IDEAS:
- Clean gutters and downspouts so they can handle the onslaught of spring showers and storms.
- Seal or reseal exterior woodwork such as decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas and other outdoor structures.
- Check for signs of termites, or schedule a professional to conduct an inspection.
- Inspect the home’s roof; often winter wind, ice and snow will loosen, shift and even remove shingles.
- Paint exterior of home and tackle other exterior painting projects before summer heat sets in.
- Check concrete, asphalt and other hardscaping materials to determine whether freezing temperatures resulted in cracks or other damage.
- Evaluate all water systems — hoses, sprinklers, irrigation, pumps, etc. — to learn of clogs, breaks and replacement needs.
- Determine whether there are places, such as buckets and trays, where standing water will attract breeding mosquitoes; consider regular professional mosquito treatment or establish a DIY plan for treating property.
- Look at window and door screens and replace or repair if necessary.
- Schedule an air-conditioning service and make sure a new filter is in place before turning on the system.
Handy Home Helpers RVA is a local maintenance and handyman company serving the greater Richmond VA areas. If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered, feel free to contact us at contact@hhhrva.com or through our website https://hhhrva.com/contact. If you need our emergency services during this epidemic, we are taking jobs on an emergency basis. And we are practicing all CDC safety regulations with face masks, gloves and proper cleaning and sanitization procedures. Some maintenance just requires a handyman!