Home Maintenance Tips

After a hard winter and a rainy spring, Memorial Day weekend – the unofficial start of summer – has finally arrived! We take grilling (and Texas barbecue in particular) seriously at Barfield Home Inspection, and think you should, too! Here are a few tips to help you get your outdoor cooking area fit for action this summer, all while keeping your home safe:

Start with a deep cleaning. Under ideal circumstances, you would regularly clean your grill and smoker. But hey, we get it – life is busy! Before you start your summer outdoor cook-athon, give all surfaces a thorough cleaning to eliminate grease accumulation which can cause flare ups.

Keep an extinguisher handy. Per your family’s fire safety plan, you should have at least one working fire extinguisher in your home. Be sure to place it within arm’s reach along with easy access to your water hose. If you need to purchase a fire extinguisher, now is the time! Visit your neighborhood home maintenance store before the holiday.

Keep your distance. As you enjoy outdoor time, make sure your grill is at least two feet away from all surfaces. This includes fencing, decks, outdoor equipment, and yes, your home!

Keep a lid on it. Check propane tanks for cracks, holes and leaks which can cause explosions. Make sure gas isn’t leaking from your tank by making a solution of dish soap and water and rub it on hoses and connections. Then, turn the gas on (with the grill lid open.) If the soap forms large bubbles, that’s a sign that the hoses have tiny holes or that the connections are not tight enough. Repair or replace these pieces accordingly!

We hope you have a great, safe summer kickoff. For more home maintenance and inspection tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @barfieldhomeinspection. If you’re looking for advice from the horse’s mouth, tune into “Under the Roof with Randy Barfield,” streaming on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In Central Texas, April brings beautiful wildflowers…plus the threat of severe storms. As warmer weather moves in across the region, look out for these weather events that can make a serious impact on your home, property, and personal safety:

Hail

As though we haven’t experienced enough frozen precipitation in 2021, hail has already made a huge impact across Central Texas (particularly in last week’s storm that hit Burnet, Travis, and Williamson Counties hard with baseball-sized stones).

Although you can’t stop the sky from falling, there are a few things preventative measures you can take to prepare yourself for a hailstorm:

1. Check your insurance. Many home and auto insurance policies cover hail damage. In order to expedite your quote and repair experience, make sure you’re covered before a storm hits.
2. Have your roof inspected. As your home’s frontline of defense for falling objects, the roof will take the brunt force in a hailstorm. By having your roof inspected before a storm hits, you can be aware of its condition and any problem areas that may lead to more severe damage.
3. Clean your gutters to remove excess water and debris that can make a serious mess if blocked.
4. Trim overhanging limbs that could damage your home, vehicles, or other property if knocked down in a storm.
5. Cover outdoor furniture and plants when severe weather is imminent.

Remember to stay indoors or seek shelter in a hailstorm. Once the storm passes, assess any damage and get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim.

Lightning

While it may sound like the stuff of suburban folklore, lightning strikes are real and dangerous. The National Weather Service estimates that 49 people are killed and hundreds more severely injured by lightning strikes each year. Here are a few things you can do to help ensure your personal safety:

1. Listen for the roar. When you hear thunder, lightning may be close enough to strike. Find a safe, enclosed space and stay inside for at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.
2. Lightning can travel through plumbing, metal, electrical systems, and concrete walls and floors that have metal reinforcement. The key here is that while staying indoors offers one layer of protection, you need to stay away from windows, water, electrical devices, and concrete. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention estimates that one third of annual strikes each year happen indoors.

Tornadoes

Perhaps the most ominous of Central Texas’ weather threats, tornadoes can be fierce and unpredictable. That’s why developing a storm safety plan well in advance can help save precious time and potentially your life.

Here are a few highlights as you begin to develop your plan:

1. Know where to go. Evacuate a mobile home or other temporary structure. Find the innermost room on the lowest level of a building or home preferably without windows.
2. Gather supplies. While many storms pass quickly, sometimes a chain of storms can leave you up all night trying to brace for the worst. Be ready with portable chargers, water, essential medication, small food supplies, and a list of emergency numbers in case you cannot access your cell phone.

Pro Tip: We like to keep pet harnesses and leashes with the stash so we can shelter in place with our furry family members in the event of an emergency.

• Cover your body. If a tornado hits, cover yourself with anything you can from a mattress to a table or blanket. If possible, put sturdy shoes on to protect your feet from debris in the aftermath.

While we love homes, nothing is more important than your personal safety. Develop a storm safety plan early this season to protect yourself and your loved ones, and then take appropriate measures to secure your possessions. Stay tuned to local weather and stay aware of watches and warnings that can help direct your actions.

If your home does incur damage during a storm this spring, get in touch with the home inspection company you can trust. We’ve been telling it like it is across Central Texas since 2003 and we aren’t about to stop now! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more home maintenance and safety tips.

Like any good love story, the way you care for your home is a testament to its condition. This Valentine’s Day be a real sweetheart to your house and shower it with a little extra affection. Your home maintenance investment is sure to pay dividends in its longevity.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:

• Texas limestone can leave you with hard water, leading to stained sinks and itchy skin. Install a water softener and maintain your salt levels regularly. Be sure to clean mineral deposits from your faucets to prevent buildup.
• Winter weather (like the great storm of February 2021!) often brings heavy rains, strong winds, and even snow and ice. Inspect your roof for missing or damaged shingles and leaks, then contact an expert roofer from our preferred vendors list for help.
• Assess your home’s air conditioning quality and consider having your system serviced before summer. Change your air filters regularly, and while you’re atop that ladder, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well!
• Account for any damage left from cold weather contraction by evaluating your door and window seals, as well as locks and door handles for wear and tear. Replace or repair weather caulking where needed.
• Prepare for a beautiful spring and add curb appeal by investing in landscaping and fertilizer for your lawn. Check your irrigation system and reference our preferred vendors for assistance.

In addition to prioritizing your home’s needs, show your wallet a little love by conserving water and electricity and thereby reducing utility costs. You can also save your hard-earned funds by considering DIY projects, where time and experience allows. Making routine improvements and adhering to regularly scheduled maintenance is an investment you can make in the life of your home. It will love you for it! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram  for more expert tips and advice. Happy Valentine’s Day!

While an apple a day may keep the doctor away, what can you do to keep the cold at bay? While most of the time we are more focused on keeping the heat out in Central Texas, an early cold snap and sudden frigid temps incline us to think of ways to keep our homes and families (including furry friends!) safe and warm this winter.

As you take stock of your home, here are a few tips and tricks courtesy of the Barfield Home Inspection team:

1. Check for drafts. If your exterior doors feel a little drafty at the bottom, place a rolled-up towel at the threshold for a quick fix. It may be time for new weather stripping, which you can install as a quick and easy DIY weekend project! Inspect weather stripping around all doors and windows and repair or replace if necessary. Caulk exterior joints around windows and doors, which will help keep your home weather-tight and lower heating bills.
2. Insulate exposed exterior plumbing pipes and hose bibs. A nice foam cover from the local hardware store will work well to protect your pipes from the cold.
3. Drip your faucets only when temperatures are going to drop below freezing to avoid waste. Running just a trickle of water will prevent your pipes from freezing.
4. Open the cabinets under your sinks so the warm air from the house can help keep the pipes warm enough to prevent freezing.

Note: If you live in an older pier and beam home, your pipes should be wrapped. If not, hire a certified contractor to insulate these pipes in the future and use the faucet dripping technique above to protect your home in the meantime.

5. Reverse ceiling fans so the warm air that rises to the ceiling will be pulled back down to the living area.
6. Wrap or cover your plants (or bring them inside if possible). A planket is always a nice touch!
7. Inspect your fireplace before the first use each season. Use a flashlight to check the flue for any obstructions and make sure your damper is open before you start the fire. Call a certified chimney sweep contractor to clean and evaluate your fireplace if you can see excessive soot. Don’t forget to keep your fire screen or fire doors closed while using the fireplace.

As we continue to spend more time at home, it’s great to take care of the spaces we love. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @BarfieldHomeInspection for more home maintenance tips from the company that’s been telling it like it is since 2003. Stay safe, warm, and healthy!