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5 Deck Sealing Tips You Need to Know

Homeowners who have a deck often think of it as an additional room outside their home. Our decks get just as much use as the family room when the weather is nice.

Deck sealing can help you prevent wear and tear from the harsh elements and keep your deck looking beautiful for years to come. If you are looking to seal or stain your deck, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these five deck sealing tips to ensure you are sealing your deck properly.

1. Always Check the Weather

One important tip that many homeowners forget to do before they begin deck sealing is to check the weather report. You will need at least two days of dry weather with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees in order for your sealant to dry properly.

The last thing you want to do is be in the middle of deck sealing and get hit with an afternoon rainstorm. It can ruin your deck sealing and not to mention cost a lot of money in additional supplies to fix the problem.

The same goes for deck stain. Don’t learn the hard way. Just check the weather report before you plan on beginning your project to save yourself some time and hassle.

2. Prep Your Deck

In order to get the best deck seal, you will need to prep your deck. Start by removing all of the furniture off of your deck. Make sure you remove plants or anything else that is on top of your deck as well.

Now you can begin to sand your deck. The entire deck must be sanded with a pole sander or a palm sander. Use a dust mask when you are sanding and wear safety glasses to ensure you do not get small pieces of wood in your eyes or inhale them.

Sand in the direction of the grain. If you spot any nails that have popped out go ahead and hammer them back in while you complete this process. If you notice some boards are damaged or beginning to rot, now is also a great time to replace those boards.

After you are done sawing, sweep your deck free of debris. The last thing you want is sawdust to wind up in your deck stain or sealant. Then cover your siding and plants that are along the edges of your deck to protect them from being painted.

You can cover your plants and siding with plastic, paper, or a tarp you already have. There is no need to purchase something specifically for this task.

Some homeowners also like to pressure wash an older deck before they begin the sanding. If mold, algae, or dirt is caked onto your deck you may want to consider renting a pressure washer or hiring a service to come pressure wash your deck before you sand.

Lastly, make sure you stir the sealant or stain. Now you are fully prepped.

3. Applying the Deck Seal

We often see people asking, “Can I Seal a deck myself?” The answer is of course you can. However, depending on the size of your deck it can be a really big project. Perhaps now is the time to call in that favor from your brother in law or even hire a professional to come and take care of the hard work.

If you’ve decided to seal or stain the deck yourself then keep reading. You’ll want to apply a thin layer of sealer or stain over a two to three board section.

Make sure that the coats are relatively even. You don’t want to end up with one board that has a lot of stain or sealer gobbed on there.

You can use a roller, a hand brush, or even a sprayer to do the job. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. The thicker the coast the longer it will take to dry and the more chances there are of it not drying properly.

Watch out while you are painting. Do not allow the stain or sealer to puddle. To speed up the process you should ideally have one person apply the stain and one person uses a roller to spread out puddles and work the stain into the wood.

Then after you’ve painted every inch you want to go ahead and repeat the process to give the deck a second coat. Use a small paintbrush for any hard to reach areas or nooks and corners.

4. Allow the Deck to Dry

After you applied the second coat you can now relax. The hard part is finished. Now the deck needs to dry. Go ahead and remove the plastic covering from your siding and rinse them off.

Keep an eye on the deck if you have trees in your backyard to make sure leaves or debris do not fall onto your deck while you are waiting for it to dry.

The deck should dry for two days before you can begin to use it again. If you live in a more humid climate it may take even longer to dry because the humidity affects how fast the stain and sealer can dry.

After your deck is dried fully you can begin placing your furniture and plants back on the deck and feel free to walk across it.

5. Hire a Professional

There are so many things that could go wrong when you try to seal and stain a deck by yourself. A professional team who works on decks all the time has the process down pat and they know how to seal a deck in as little time as possible while delivering a great product.

If you’re asking how often do I seal a deck, well the answer varies from deck to deck and how it is used. A professional team can ask you some questions about your deck and give you the best answer.

Deck Sealing Can Keep You Deck Looking Nice For Years

Deck sealing is a lot of work but it can help keep your deck looking beautiful for many years. If you don’t have the time or the patience to seal and stain your own deck, or if you want to make sure it gets done right the first time, call Deck Doc.

Deck Doc is a deck sealing and staining company based in Chicago. Our team of professionals are skilled and knowledgeable and have an unwavering commitment to customer service.

You’ll be happy with the results of your deck after you hire Deck Doc. Contact us today for a free estimate.

7 Benefits of Power Washing Your Home

Is your home looking a little grungy with dirt, algae, and pollen? The answer to sprucing up your home could be as simple as a pressure washer.

The pressure washer market is a $1.8 billion industry for good reason. This simple tool does more than just get rid of a little dirt from your siding. It can save you time and money, improve results of home improvement projects, and extend the life of your home’s exterior materials.

Keep reading for benefits of power washing that you might not consider.

1. Restore Curb Appeal

A cleaner, fresher look is the most obvious and immediate benefit of power washing your house. You remove dirt, grime, and other gunk that makes your house look old.

Regular power washing instantly improves your curb appeal even if you don’t do anything else to your house. It’s a simple and inexpensive starting point for improving curb appeal without doing any construction or renovations.

Power washers work on a variety of outdoor surfaces, including siding, sidewalks, driveways, fences, decks, and patios. That means you can freshen up all types of surfaces around your home and improve your overall curb appeal.

If you’re selling your home, curb appeal is a big factor in getting potential buyers inside your home. If you’re not planning to move soon, having your home look nice gives your pride in your home a boost. It feels good to drive up to a clean, well-maintained home and know its yours.

2. Prepare for Projects

Most outdoor projects start with a fresh, clean surface. Resealing a deck, painting siding, and refinishing a pool are just a few of the projects that require a thorough cleaning before you can start.

Power washing helps remove the dirt and grime on those surfaces that you’re planning to refinish. The clean surface lets the new finish go on smoothly and stick better, so your project results are much better. Without proper power washing, your new finish might peel off quickly and force you to redo the work.

3. Prevent Damage

Regular power washing is a maintenance task that can prevent damage and extend the life of things such as your siding, deck, and shutters. Stains that aren’t removed quickly can remain permanently or be much more difficult to remove.

Mold that’s not removed does more than look bad. It can feed on finishes, which damages them and forces you to refinish your surfaces.

Other debris that stays on your home can cause additional damage, such as deterioration. Replacing the rotting components can be quite expensive, especially if the damage is extensive. Simple power washing can prevent that expensive damage, saving you time and money.

4. Improve Health of Your Home and Family

Power washers remove more than just dirt. They can eliminate algae, mold, mildew, allergens, and other tiny things that can make your family sick.

Allergies affect more than 50 million Americans yearly. Regular power washing can remove the allergens that cause your family to sneeze and feel miserable seasonally. Keeping your outdoors cleaner can minimize how much of the irritants get inside your home, which can help you maintain a healthier, cleaner home environment.

Another way power washing can improve the safety of your home is by removing slippery coatings. Algae, grime, and other coatings on decks and sidewalks can make those surfaces slippery. Keeping them clean removes those slippery coatings and lets you walk safely.

5. Protect the Environment

The pressure of the water is often enough to clean up your home’s exterior without harsh cleaners. You don’t have to worry about cleaners killing plants in your landscaping, making your pets sick, or causing damage to other surfaces. You also keep the cleaners from running into the local water supply, which can affect wildlife and drinking water.

If you do need a little cleaner to help remove everything, you have the option of choosing environmentally friendly cleaners. These biodegradable options protect your immediate landscaping and minimize your impact on the larger environment in your area.

Trying to tackle the same job with just a garden hose could use more water. Since the power washer is much more efficient, you can get the job done quickly with less water.

6. Save Time

If you need to clean your home’s exterior anyway, power washing can save a lot of time. The pressure from the water makes quick work of cleaning, making it much faster to remove the grime than scrubbing it by hand.

Pressure washing is also easier on you than scrubbing. You can usually stand upright when using a power washer instead of bending over or getting on your hands and knees if you scrub things by hand.

If you hire a professional power washing company to do the work, you save even more time. You don’t have to worry about the power washer setup or figuring out the best way to approach the job. It’s also a lot easier since you don’t have to worry about ladders and other equipment setup.

7. Increase Home Value

Having a clean home exterior can increase your home’s value. When your home looks better, it’s perceived as being worth more.

That can be especially important when you’re preparing to sell your home. Pressure washing your home before you sell could bump up your selling price by $10,000 to $15,000 just by making a good impression on buyers. The small amount you invest in power washing could really pay off in your home sale.

If you skip this step, potential buyers will notice any dirt, grime, algae, or other gunk on the home. They might think that you’ve neglected other tasks around the house, and they might start wondering if there are hidden issues with the home.

Enjoy the Benefits of Power Washing Your Home

Power washing is a simple home maintenance task that can make a big difference in your home’s appearance and stability. Whether you do the power washing yourself or hire a professional, you get an instant improvement in your home.

Would you rather leave power washing to the professionals? Contact us today to schedule power washing services.

Prepare For the Winter: 7 Ways to Keep Your Deck Safe and Secure

As the summer entertaining and grilling season winds down, you start thinking about the snow that’ll soon fly. If you have a deck, that means you need to take a few extra steps to prep in the fall.

Wood deck additions cost an average of $14,360 according to Remodeling Magazine. Doing a little winter prep work protects that investment so you can enjoy your deck next spring without discovering damage from winter weather.

Keep reading for seven ways to prepare for winter when it comes to your deck.

1. Remove Furniture and Planters

Before you start tackling your winter prep maintenance, remove everything from your deck. If possible, store your patio furniture in a shed, garage, or other protected area. Planters should also get packed away for the winter.

Not only is this the best option for the furniture and planters, but it can protect your deck as well. If you leave things on the deck, they can trap moisture against the wood. This can cause damage, rotting, and discoloration.

2. Clean the Deck

By the end of fall, you’re probably sick of cleaning up leaves. You don’t want to forget your deck, though. If you leave debris and dirt on the deck, it can cause discoloration on the wood and moisture buildup, which increases algae growth.

Start by sweeping the deck and removing the large chunks. Pressure washing your deck on a low pressure setting helps remove dirt gently without gouging the wood.

Look for signs of mold and mildew that need to be removed. Instead of bleach, try using vinegar and water. Scrub it onto the mold or mildew areas using a gentle bristle brush to loosen the mold and mildew, and then spray it with a hose.

You can also find commercial mold and mildew remover products. Make sure they’re designed for wood decks, and follow the instructions exactly to protect the wood.

Pressure washing can help remove some of the mold and mildew. Be careful to use low pressure. It can be tempting to crank up the pressure to remove stubborn spots, but you’re more likely to damage the wood.

3. Do an Inspection

Inspecting your deck carefully helps you spot potential trouble spots before they become major issues. Add an inspection to your annual winter prep so you don’t forget to do it.

Look at all parts of the deck, including the deck itself, the railing, and the stairs. Check it out from the top and from underneath the deck for signs you might miss from above.

Some signs to look for include:

Discoloration
Rotting
Warping
Cracks
Loose boards
Broken sections

If you’re not comfortable doing the inspection yourself, hire a professional deck company to look for signs of damage and recommend repairs.

4. Make Repairs

If your inspection reveals damage, handle those deck repairs before winter. Simple repairs include tightening up loose boards and pounding nails back into the boards.

If you notice rotting, cracking, or other damage, you might need to replace some of the boards. Consider calling a contractor if you have a more widespread rotting problem or structural issues with the footings or joists.

5. Seal the Boards

Sealing your deck before winter adds a protective barrier that can help it come through the cold months beautifully. The sealant creates a coating over the boards and helps seal up any tiny cracks to keep moisture out of them.

In sunny climates, sealing your deck yearly might be necessary to protect it well. You can stretch that out to every two or three years in other areas.

You can test your deck to see if it’s time to reseal by putting a little water on it. If the water still beads up, the sealant is still doing its job. If the water soaks into the deck, it’s time for a new coat of sealant.

Don’t miss the window for sealing your deck if you’re due for the coating. The sealant won’t adhere properly if it’s frosty or damp. Ideally, you should apply the sealant when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’ve had rain recently, wait at least 24 hours before you seal the deck. Your deck needs to be cleaned well before sealing, but you also need to wait 24 hours after washing to allow the wood to dry.

6. Apply Non-Slip Surfaces

When your deck gets snowy or icy, your first instinct might be to grab salt or chemical ice melting products. While those products may work quickly, they can be damaging to your deck.

Adding non-slip surfaces to your deck cuts down on the chances of slipping. Non-slip strips or mats help give you traction with less need to use chemical salt removers. Pads can also protect the wood from snow and ice.

You can also apply non-stick deck paint or finish that soaks into the wood and gives it a more grippy surface. These products keep you safer while you walk on your deck in winter and may help reduce ice and snow removal needs.

Before applying the non-slip products, make sure your deck is completely clean and dry. If you trap leaves, moisture, or other things beneath the strips, it can damage the wood.

7. Remove Snow Carefully

Keeping the snow scooped off of your deck can minimize how much moisture soaks into the wood. It also makes it easier to walk across your deck safely. For a light snow, you can often use a broom or leaf blower to get rid of it.

When you shovel the snow, run the shovel along the boards instead of against them. This reduces the risk of gouging the boards with the shovel. A shovel with a soft or rubberized edge also helps protect your deck.

Prepare for the Winter on Your Deck

Prepare for the winter before the temperatures drop and the snow flies to protect your deck. The preventative maintenance can help your deck make it through the harsh weather it good shape.

If you need help cleaning, sealing, or repairing your deck before winter, contact us to discuss the options.

5 Reasons to Deep Clean Your Home After Every Season

House cleaning by professional cleaners near me Property Refresh

Cleaning up the house on a regular basis is essential. The dishes will need to be done. The laundry will need cleaning and folding, and a little dusting and vacuuming can help keep your home clean to the naked eye.

How will you know when it’s time to deep clean the house, however? Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to scrub the toilets or under the cabinets each week. Life gets busy and there are other priorities to take care of.

Deep cleaning should be done as part of your seasonal house cleaning, though. If you deep clean your home after each season, then you can ensure your home will stay fresh, clean, and healthy throughout the entire year. Are you wondering what are some specific reasons why you should do this each season?

In the guide below, you’ll discover several reasons to deep clean after the seasons and the benefits of doing so. Continue reading to learn more!

How to Prepare for Roof Gutter Cleaning Before Fall in Chicago

Fall is the most popular season in America, but you won’t have time to enjoy the beauty of colder temperatures and rain if you’re worried about your roof springing a leak.

And the best way to protect your roof is to clean out your gutters.

Wondering what that process involves? We’ve put together this guide to help you learn what to expect from roof gutter cleaning and how to hire the right company for the job.

Keep reading below to learn more! Continue reading “How to Prepare for Roof Gutter Cleaning Before Fall in Chicago”

5 Advantages of Hiring a Professional Window Cleaning Service

Did you know that on average, it can take you 3 hours to clean your windows? That’s just for a normal-sized home.

Imagine if you owned a business that has more windows than the average house. How long do you think it would take you to clean them?

Since most people don’t want to spend even 15 minutes cleaning windows, you may want to consider hiring a professional window cleaning company. Not only do they have the time to dedicate to this task, but they’ll also make sure it’s done right.

Read on to discover some other benefits to hiring professional window washers.

1. Extend the Life of Your Windows

Your windows are exposed to a lot, on both the inside and outside of your home or business. The outside of your window is exposed to a wide range of adverse weather conditions, including ice, hail, hard rain, and wind.

Dirt and debris also impact the outside of your windows, as does pollution and smoke.

On the inside, your windows are exposed to dirt and debris, chemicals, hard water, and smoke from cooking incidents and potentially tobacco smoke.

If left to sit on your window for extended periods of time, any of these elements can scratch or corrode the surface. As these elements build up, it can also make it tough to see out of the glass.

Do your windows a favor and have them cleaned by a professional. This will ensure that the harmful elements are removed so that your windows can last for as long as possible.

2. Make Your Windows More Efficient

When you hire a professional to do window washing at your home or business, they’ll be able to detect if there are any problems or issues.

These might include chips or cracks in the glass or damaged window seals. If you don’t take care of these problems, this could cause fogging or condensation to build up on your window or on the window sill, and that can lead to mold growth.

A leaky window can also have an impact on how efficiently your home or office is heated and cooled.

Cracks and leaks in the window can allow the air from the inside of your space to escape, which means your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature.

If you want to make sure you aren’t paying more than necessary to keep everyone comfortable, then having a professional discover these issues and getting them fixed is in your best interest.

3. They Use the Right Products

If you want your window cleaning to be done right, you need to call in professionals. They have the cleaning products that will make your glass sparkle, and you won’t have to worry about streaks.

They also have the right equipment to clean your windows without scratching or damaging the glass. Since the goal is to have dazzling windows that last as long as possible, getting a professional window washing can help you achieve that goal.

4. They Know How to Clean Safely

You might not think that washing windows is hazardous, but it is—especially if you have to climb onto a ladder to reach windows on the second story of your house or office building.

The vast majority of ladder accidents happen at the home, so calling in a professional to clean windows that are one or several stories off the ground will reduce the risk of injury.

Whether the professional window washer uses a ladder or has extended equipment to clean your high windows, you can rest assured that your windows will get cleaned properly and everyone will be safe during the process.

5. A Professional Window Cleaning Will Improve the Appearance of Your Home or Business

As mentioned, your windows are exposed to a lot of elements on both the inside and outside of your business or home. If you let the dirt, debris, fingerprints, smudges, and water deposits build up over time, your home or office windows will make your structure look run down.

The filth can also obscure the incoming light, and this can make the inside of your home or office feel or look dingy.

When you get your windows professionally cleaned, they will create a sparkling, bright environment that is sure to impress anyone who enters your home or business.

Being exposed to sunlight can also boost your mood while you’re at home. It can also have an impact on how productive your employees are.

Professional window washing is especially beneficial for businesses, as it helps you create a great first impression with customers. Having natural lighting can also highlight and help sell your products.

How Often You Should Get Your Windows Cleaned?

Now that you know having a professional window washing can be beneficial in a variety of different ways, you may be wondering how often you should get your windows cleaned.

For businesses, if you are trying to make your office or store more appealing, it’s recommended that you get your windows cleaned three to four times a year.

The same can also be true for a residential property, as this will ensure that you are removing any dirt or grime built up.

Although, if your windows are exposed to a lot of pollution, adverse weather conditions, or people, then getting them cleaned more often might be advised.

Remember, your windows play a huge role in how your house or business looks. If they are dirty, people might assume the rest of your house or your business is dirty as well. Be sure to make a good first impression and get your windows cleaned as often as necessary.

Work with the Right Cleaners

At Property Refresh, we know how important it is to have a properly cleaned house or business. We have the skills and expertise to ensure that your windows are as clean and streak-free as possible.

Don’t trust your professional window cleaning to just anyone. Work with the best. We have the tools and supplies to clean the interior and exterior of your windows and remove any dirt or grime that may have collected on the glass.

Whether you need your windows cleaned to remove spots after a rainstorm or so that the sun can shine into your space, we can clean it all. Contact us today!

5 Big Benefits of Hiring Professional House Cleaning Services

The professional cleaning industry employs 3.5 million people in the United States alone. That means no shortage of people who are experts at keeping a place looking and feeling its best.

Despite this, people are often reluctant to hire professional house cleaning services. They see it as an unnecessary expense, or don’t want to have to change their schedule to accommodate a cleaning service.

More and more people, however, are leaning towards hiring the services of one of these companies. When the advantages are all weighed up and the misconceptions dispelled, it’s easy to see why.

House cleaning services can actually have an enormous and positive impact on your life. Not just on the cleanliness of your environment, but even your financial and mental states.

1. Professional House Cleaning Services Are a Huge Time-Saver

The time it takes to clean your house is not insignificant. Even if you live in a smaller space, the hours will add up. The average American spends nearly six hours a week cleaning their house.

Imagine what that time could be used for if you didn’t have to clean?

If you attempt to cut down on that cleaning time, chances are, the job isn’t getting done properly. It’s time efficiency vs. cleanliness: but you don’t have to make that choice. It’s completely possible to have both — just maybe not by working alone.

Hire someone to do the job for you, and you can spend that six hours or more on something else while your house is spotless. There are only so many hours in the day.

2. They Can Actually Save You a Lot of Money

Many people are reluctant to commit to pro cleaning services because of the cost involved. They imagine that paying someone to clean their house is going to be far more expensive than doing the job themselves.

It’s not always true.

Not only does cleaning require supplies, but it also requires professional equipment. They’re expensive to go out and purchase but if you hire professional house cleaning, all that equipment comes included.

Yes, it is an added expense, but it shaves money off elsewhere and balances out. If you have a company that provides the cleaning service for you, there’s no need to keep most cleaning products in your house.

One thing you can delete from the shopping list!

3. They Can Work on Your Schedule

You don’t necessarily have to fit in with the schedule of cleaning services. You can usually work together to find a schedule that works for you.

If you’d like your house cleaned while you’re working so that you get off work to a clean, tidy house, great. If you’d like it done on the weekends while you’re relaxing, that’s fine too.

Professional cleaning services have flexible hours, because they know their clients’ schedules are important.

It’s all a matter of talking to the company and finding out what works for you both.

4. Keep Your Energy for the Activities You Love

So say you do have the six hours a week to spare for cleaning. You dedicate your entire Saturday afternoon to it, which doesn’t matter, because you don’t usually have plans on that day anyway.

By the time it comes to the evening, you might be too tired to do anything else. Going out with friends feels much better when it’s done after a day of relaxing than after a day of cleaning, running around trying to get everything done before you can allow yourself to have fun.

Proper cleaning doesn’t just take up time, but it takes up valuable energy too. Professional house cleaning comes with advantages even for those who do have the time to do their own cleaning.

You’ll see a huge difference in how motivated you are when your house is free of clutter.

5. You’ll Never Be Able to Clean as Well as a Professional

The truth of the matter is, you’ll probably never be able to clean as well as a professional company.

These professionals are trained in getting into every corner and making sure your house is in top condition. There are times when you simply can’t get a stain out of a rug, or when the pet smell is lingering long after you think you’ve scrubbed everything to perfection, and this is where cleaning companies really shine.

Even if you haven’t cleaned your house to this standard in far too long, they can have everything looking as good as new.

All of those old smells you keep catching whiffs of, that stain you keep catching in the corner of your eye that’s driving you insane but you’ve made your peace with — they can be gotten rid of. You aren’t stuck with them!

There’s no shame in not being as good as a professional. That’s what they’re trained to do, after all, and the services are well worth it.

All in All, They’re Life-Changing!

Professional house cleaning services are life-changing. They’ll free up your time so you can dedicate it to your work, hobbies, family and friends — whatever is important to you.

They’ll also keep your house in top condition so that you can feel safe and relaxed in the space, and would be proud to show your home to any guest that you might have over.

The cost is usually well worth it when compared to the cost of personal cleaning equipment, and the result certainly is!

Tips on How to Prepare Your Home to Sell

Are you getting ready to sell your home? If so, experts recommend that you do several things to will increase buyer interests in your home and help you receive top dollar. Following are some tips on how to prepare your home for selling from real estate experts.

Deep Clean from Top to Bottom
Dust and clean every room in your home, from floor to ceiling and every nook and cranny in between. Also, make sure all services shine- floors, counters, fixtures, and so on. Given the importance of a deep cleaning if you do not have time or the desire to deep clean your home, consider hiring a reputable professional cleaning service, such as Property refresh.

Remove Junk and Clutter
You want buyers to focus on how awesome your space is, not how messy it looks. Banish that piles of shoes from the entry, that stack of mail from the kitchen table and anything else that detracts from your home’s gorgeous features.

Pressure Wash Exterior Surfaces
By power washing the exterior of your home (siding, sidewalks and driveway) will remove dirt and grime that makes your home’s exterior look dreary and worn down. The results will be a cleaner, more inviting home wilth significantly better curb appeal. Pressure washing is more difficult than it appears. It requires the correct technique, otherwise it can cause damage. Consider hiring professional power washers.

Boost the curb appeal
More than one buyer will decide not to even enter a home based on its curb appeal, so make sure your home’s exterior looks excellent. Trim your shrubs, weed your flower beds, fix any peeling paint and keep the walkway clear. Just adding a row of potted plants along the walkway or a cheerful wreath to your front door can make a big difference.

Gutters and Pressure Wash
To maximize your home’s curb appeal, consider hiring someone to clean out your gutters and pressure wash your home’s siding, sidewalks, driveway, and/or deck. Not only will this significantly add to your home’s curb appeal, it also conveys a well-kept, managed home.

Maintain Landscape
Keeping your yard properly maintained, which is essential to enhancing your home’s cub appeal. Regularly mow, weed and water it.

Wash Windows Inside and Out
Make sure your windows are sparklingly clean from the inside, out. Not only does this contribute to curb appeal and a clean home presentation, it also improves how natural light appears in rooms. Also, you will be confidently prepared to open up blinds and curtains when it’s time to show your home.

Highlight focal points. Draw buyers’ eyes towards any special features with bright colors or accents like plants. A pop of red throw pillows can draw a buyer’s attention to that lovely window seat. A striking fern on the mantle can show off your fireplace.

Depersonalized
Ideally, perspective buyers will be able to easily envision living in your home. This ability is improved when a home is depersonalized. Depersonalized means taking down and storing items such as photograph, hobby collections, toys, trophies, fridge magnets, bathroom counter items, and so on.

Fix and Repair
The goal is to present your home in the best possible condition, for maximum buyer interest and sale price. Whenever possible fix problems and repair issues. Some top priority tasks might include repairing a leaky roof, replacing a broken window, paint over scuff marks and so on.

Tidy Up Closets
Home buyers appreciate and want enough storage space which is why it’s a big selling point. Neat, well-organized, spacious will show that your home offers enough space. Conversely, if your closets are jammed packed, they will convey the opposite- your closets will seem too small.

Repaint Walls
A simple fresh coat of paint can uplift and brighten a room. When it comes to selling a home, it is best to stick with neutral colors (tans and white tones). These colors appeal to more buyers; they also support room focus without being distracted by the wall’s color.

Remove Bad Odors
Regularly inspect your home for any unpleasant smells and neutralize the air. If you own cats, hide the litter box and make sure there are no pet smells lingering. Some savvy homeowners will strategically place natural inviting smells in rooms prior to a showing- such as fresh flowers or freshly baked cookies. Tip: Avoid using scented air fresheners which may cause an allergic or unpleasant reaction from guests.

Light, Light, Light
Buyers want to see, really see, the home. Consequently, experts recommend opening up all blinds and curtain, while having all lights turned on. Also, add lamps/lighting to any dim areas. Brightly lit spaces look cheerier, larger and are more inviting.

Stage Your Spaces
Do not assume the prospective buyer is going to know how to use a particular room. Instead, strategically stage rooms according to how they might be used. For example, make sure the office, looks and feels like an office. Add neutral décor, art, plants and future that will bring out the best in your home, while appealing to maximum buyers. Some owner’s hirer professional home stagers.

Take Great Pictures
Most people will see your home via photos before they see it in person. Those photos will either attract or repel interest. Consequently, it’s very important to take clear, bright, professional looking photos that presents your home in the very best light.

Get rid of personal items. Buyers want to be able to envision themselves in your home, so remove anything overly personal, like family photos in the hallway or your kids’ artwork on the fridge.

Make something yummy. Realtors don’t put out fresh cookies at open houses just to treat buyers; a “homey” smell like baking cookies or bread can help people connect with a kitchen. Not a baker? Fake it with a scented candle.

About Property Refresh
Property Refresh offers satisfaction guaranteed house cleaning, power washing, gutter cleaning and window washing services throughout Chicagoland. Call 224-386-4836 to schedule your free, no obligation in-home estimate.

Gutter Cleanings Will Saves You Money

Only a well functioning gutter system can protect your home from water damage. When gutters and downspouts are filled with debris and/or clogged, they do not perform correctly. Water can back up, become misdirected and damage your roof, basement, foundation, roof, fascia, soffits, paint and siding. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to spot the damage until it’s too late.

Often overlooked, cleaning your gutters is one of the most important home or building maintenance projects you can do. Experts recommend cleaning out your gutters at least twice a year: in the spring and fall. Failing to regularly maintain your gutters can lead to unwanted and expensive problems down the road.

A major problem with clogged gutters is that water doesn’t properly drain away from the home. Instead, it drains in places where it can (and often does) cause damage from the roof to your basement. Moreover, the weight of water-logged debris often leads to gutter system damages. Acting as Mother Nature’s sponges, as debris absorbs rain water it becomes extremely heavy. This weight puts stress on gutters and fixtures, which can cause them to pull away from your home.

Forgetting or delaying cleaning your gutters can end up being a very costly. Like many other people, you may dread the prospect of climbing up a ladder and cleaning your gutters. Consequently, you may find it easier to have them professionally cleaned in the spring and fall. This will help ensure your gutter system is properly cleaned to prevent costly repairs later.

Science Reveals How Clutter Impacts You

Science Reveals How Clutter Impacts You

How does clutter impact you? Recent scientific research offers significant insight into this question. Overtime, homeowners accumulate stuff that often turns into unsightly cluttered. Some eventually grow accustom to it. Others perpetually want to address it, but never seem to find the time or desire to do it. However, based on numerous scientific research studies, if appears that decluttering your home is essential for actualizing numerous benefits, including optimal health.

Household clutter involves the accumulation of seldom used items and/or spaces filled with too much stuff (e.g. corners, basements, junk drawers, closets, attics, garages, and so on.). There have been numerous research studies on how clutter impacts individuals. They reveal that clutter leads to conscious and unconscious stress that impacts individuals on biologically and neurologically levels. In particularly, household clutter can negatively impact focus, concentration, creativity, cortisol levels and how in pain is experienced.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression
According to experts, constant clutter can lead to a perpetual state of low-grade, perpetual state of fight-or-flight, hidden, biological reactions, which negatively impact a person’s overall health. A 2009 study from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF) revealed that women who perceive their homes to be cluttered tend to have unhealthy cortisol level patterns. Moreover, a clutter, messy environment can prevent their cortisol levels from naturally declining during the day. This can lead to increase anxiety and depression, while reducing the ability focus and concentrate.

More Productive, Focused and Less Irritable
According to the CEFL study, the level of stress experienced by woman at home was directly proportionate to the amount of stuff in their environment. “Conversely, in a Princeton University Neuroscience Institute study research found that participants were less irritable, more focused and more productive in organized environments verses clutter, disorganized spaces. “more productive, less irritable and distracted in the clutter-free environment versus the disorganized environment where their stress increased”. The Princeton researchers concluded that clutter in an environment can overload a person’s visual cortex. This creates stressful competition for attention in our brain which interferes with the ability to process information and focus.

Unhealthy Habits and Physical Activity
Coping On top of all this, according to a 2016 Cornell University study, stress that is caused by clutter might lead to avoidance and unhealthy coping strategies such as sleeping too much, binge-watching tv, or eating unhealthy food. Conversely, according to an Indiana University study discovered a correlation between a clean home and physical fitness. Research participants with cleaner homes exercised more often than those with less kept homes. “At the end of the day, the interior condition of their house seemed to be the only thing affecting their physical activity,” stated activity expert Nicole Keith.

Do you want to experience less stress, anxiety and depression while gaining better health, focus and overall well-being? If so, consider decluttering your home and work environments. Regular housecleaning services is a great way to maintain a clutter-free and clean environment.

About Property Refresh
Property Refresh offers satisfaction guaranteed house cleaning, power washing, gutter cleaning and window washing services throughout Chicagoland. Call 224-386-4836 to schedule your free, no obligation in-home estimate.