Jump into Spring at The MV Home & Garden Expo

COME SEE US AT THE 2020 MOHAWK VALLEY HOME & GARDEN EXPO THIS WEEKEND!

Get Inspired! Need a little help with your next indoor or outdoor project? No matter how big or small your project is, the 2020 Home & Garden Expo is sure to help you find the answers you need. The Expo is the place to find the most qualified experts in the field of home building, remodeling and improving.

Where: MVCC Utica Campus, Jorgensen Center

When: March 7th 10am – 5pm and March 8th 10am – 3pm

Cost: Adult $6 / Child 12 & under $2 / Senior or Military $5

It’s Spring & your closet may not be the only thing that needs sprucing up.

When was the last time you inspected your home? If you struggle with keeping your home comfortable all year round, we have answers! Here is a checklist of some of the things to check for this spring season.

Gutter Cleaning and Repair

Gutters are often overlooked because they are also in a hard to reach area. So if you only do this every spring, be sure look for any cracks or water dripping through any creases. Otherwise check them at least once a month to ensure proper drainage. If water is collecting or seeping through cracks, this can indicate a problem. Because of their reaching difficulty on your home, there are specific tools you can find at your local Hardware store to clean them with. If your gutters still aren’t draining properly, you may need to hire a professional for inspection.

Window Cracks or Seal failures

The weather is nicer, your home should be too. Check your windows’ caulking or weather stripping and condensation. If you find cracks or peeling caulk, your window will require new caulking to prevent air from getting in or escaping. Condensation could indicate a seal failure. If you’d rather not deal with the caulking every year, contact a professional to weigh all of your options. With a professional inspection, you can find out if you need a new window! Inspection can include, checking the window seal, searching for wood rot, & inspecting the caulking.

Soffit Boards and Vents

Walk your home’s perimeter and make sure the soffits are secure. If your soffits are wood, look for dark areas, chipped paint or other signs the wood may require replacement. For soffit vents on one-story homes, remove the vents to ensure they are not clogged. You can easily clean them off with a screwdriver or replace them yourself at a reasonable price. Painted soffit vents reduce airflow as well, so make sure your vents don’t have bulky paint on the inside or out. When you remove the vents, you can clean out the hole in the soffits with a broom handle, lightly moving it in circles to clear any debris. A leaf blower also works. It is important your attic is breathing properly, and cleaning the soffit vents will aid in that process.

Siding Maintenance

Siding is the skin of your home and with the weather being unpredictable as it is, it might need some love. With wooden siding, be sure to check for soft, soggy boards and paint chips. It may mean you need to replace your siding or it could just need a new paint job. You always want to look for a paint that seals the wood from the elements. If your siding is just a little dirty, a rinse from the hose will do the job. When working with metal siding, check for rust and oxidization. Make sure not to use soap when rinsing your siding, it only speeds up the metals oxidization. If you have vinyl siding, you’re lucky! Vinyl stays clean with just plain water and never chips! Be sure to inspect if any of the boards have come loose. Contact a professional if you are unsure.

Door Maintenance

Your doors are the face of your home, so naturally you want to take care of them. Harsh winters can cause your door to age so be sure to check for warps and cracks. If your door squeaks or sticks or even notice a draft coming through, you may need to get it inspected. Always look for scrapes on the floor, the door’s weather stripping may need to be replaced.