Nailing it Down: Spring cleaning consists of more than a trip to the dump

Here’s a “to do” list to get your house in shape inside and out before the activities of summer begin.

By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty • May 26, 2017 7:00 pm

Nailing it Down

By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty

It’s amazing how just a few days of spring weather can put a spring in your step.

The rush of activity and buzz of lawnmowers was notable last weekend when we experienced our first spectacular days of sun this year. The prevalent smell of fresh-cut grass testified to how many of us in Grays Harbor were quick to take advantage of the weather to play catch-up.

These past few weeks, we’ve been talking a lot about various junk clearing-out opportunities in Grays Harbor, but true spring cleaning consists of more than just a trip to the dump.

We’ve mentioned many of the items below recently; but today, instead of lots of words, we’re giving you a basic “to do” list to get your house in shape inside and out before all the activities of summer begin:

INSIDE CHECKLIST

• Wash the insides of the windows.

• Dust around the windowframes and blinds. Clean out the window tracks where mold, dust and dead bugs accumulate.

• Open windows and doors for a few hours. This takes the stale smell away and lets out trapped moisture. Also, the extra light and fresh air help kill spores.

• Test your smoke detectors. If you missed doing this at the switch to Daylight Saving Time, take a moment now, and make sure they have fresh batteries.

• Pull all appliances away from their footprints to clean underneath. Move your stove, refrigerator, freezer, washer and dryer. Then thoroughly sweep and wet-mop behind and under where each appliance gathers lint, toys, and food that attracts insects and vermin.

• Dust the coils of the refrigerator. Then replace the cardboard covering the dusty motor in the back to maintain proper ventilation for the appliance. Also, take the vent off the front of the refrigerator and wash it.

• Clean your clothes dryer. Vacuum all the extra lint in and around it, including the exhaust tube and the outside at the flapper vent. A stuck flapper allows critters to nest in your dryer.

• Clean or replace the furnace filter. Blow out each Cadet wall heater and vacuum, then wipe down each baseboard. Ask yourself if you are ready for a super-efficient ductless heat pump. (Call the local PUD to ask about rebates.)

• Plan large home maintenance projects — roofing, major repairs, painting exterior, ductless heat pump installation, etc. — around a written scope of work. Contact contractors ASAP to get the apples-to-apples bidding done. That way you will be on your licensed and bonded contractor’s schedule before the busy construction season starts.

• Have specific, written contracts. Bigger projects go more smoothly when your written contract states how much it will cost, including tax and permits, and includes start and end dates. It should also contain clauses about cost of labor and material change orders and how the contractor will get the final payment after all work needing permits is inspected — and after you have a written, unconditional lien waiver in your hand.

OUTSIDE CHECKLIST

• Wash the outside siding and trim of the house with 30 Second cleaner. Follow directions. NeighborWorks loans pump sprayers and long-handle brushes for this job.

• Wash the outside of all your windows. Use a gallon of hot water and a half-cup of ammonia. Rinse very well with the hose.

• Check out your windows and screens. Fixing broken windows needs to be a priority. If the glazing putty or caulking is chipped, now’s the time to make those repairs. Ripped screens invite insects and spiders.

• Look for missing or damaged siding or trim. Repair and replace missing pieces and protect your exterior with paint to avoid moisture, rot and insect problems.

• Examine your roof. Are there any missing shingles or damaged sections? Take notes to plan your summer projects.

• Clear gutters of any leaves, branches, needles or gunk from winter’s storms. Make sure downspouts with splash blocks convey the water away from the foundation.

• Open any foundation vents you closed. During a cold spell, it’s OK to close or board up foundation vents for a few days. However, it is critical for the health of your house to open those vents come spring. Also, check the plastic ground cover under the house to be sure it is intact and secure.

• Make sure soil and bark don’t touch untreated wood framing or siding. Having soil and bark at least 6 inches from your house discourages rot and bug infestation.

• Take a critical look at your overall property. Create “use someday soon” project piles and “throw out” piles. Make a plan to finish the project piles, then donate or properly dispose of the throw away pile. To donate building materials, consider the Habitat ReStore in Hoquiam. If you have something else you’d like to sell or give away, try 2Good2Toss.com.

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS

First time homebuyer? To get the best loans, get educated. Check out HomeSage.org for your internet homebuyer education and housing counseling needs. NeighborWorks will help you get it done.

Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen.