A Spring Cleaning List to Tackle Your Home

Even though today isn’t much of an indication, it seems like the warmer weather should finally be arriving, which means that it’s time to dedicate a weekend on your calendar to a spring house cleaning.

Spring cleaning is a dreaded task for many people, but I think it’s a great opportunity to go through your home and look for any small problems or maintenance issues that can cause you headaches in the future. I also use it as a time to sort through closets and storage to donate clothes, sports equipment, and tools that I haven’t used in awhile. But when it comes to cleaning, there are a few places around the house that might get missed in your more regularly scheduled tidying up. Here’s a list to help you tackle this tough project:

Windows: You might give the insides a friendly wipe down all through the year, but cleaning the outside of your windows is a smart job to tackle now, especially if you live near the road or a high traffic area. Getting to second-floor windows might take some work on a ladder, so use caution and take your time.

Cabinets: From afar they probably look clean, but they are most likely splattered with cooking oil, tomato sauce, and all those yummy soups and stews you’ve been whipping up all winter. Use a cabinet cream to remove all the built-up gunk while conditioning the wood at the same time. I like the Parker & Bailey version.

Appliances: Just like the cabinets, your appliances can get streaked and spotted with cooking remnants, so give them a good wipe down to keep them looking like new. If you have stainless steel, make sure you look for a proper polish like this one from Weiman, or if you want to DIY it with a non-toxic solution, you can use a mixture of vinegar and oil.

Countertops: Have you notice stains on your granite? This is a surefire sign that they aren’t sealed properly. When you have them installed, make sure they are treated with a sealant a few times, and then make it a once a year project. If water or liquid forms a bead on the surface of the counter, you’re good to go.

Dishwasher: You might think this appliance is the cleanest place in your kitchen but smelly food particles can get stuck to its interior, which can then end up back on your dishes. Remove any large pieces of debris from the bottom of the dishwasher and then run it on the specialty cycle using a special dishwasher cleaning liquid.

Wood Floors: If you’re vacuuming and mopping your floors every week, this cleaning routine might be doing them more harm than good. Wood needs to be conditioned in order to help it retain its normal levels of moisture. Nix the wet washing and try applying a wax sealant every few months to keep them looking shiny and new. There are different types of waxes depending on the type of wood you’re dealing with, so pop into a home improvement store and ask a professional for some advice before tackling the job.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

The Pros and Cons of Creating an Outdoor Space

With all this snow, giving your outdoor space a spruce-up is probably the last thing on your mind. But believe it or not, the warmer weather is on its way, and taking advantage of it should be high on your priority list.

If you’re thinking about making your backyard a summer oasis, there are some things to consider. Is it better to install a patio or lay a deck? Which will look best, last the longest, and be the most cost effective? Let’s go through the pros and cons of a deck versus a patio to give you some ideas.

Decks are generally laid above the ground, so if your property slopes or if you have a lot of tree roots or stone jutting out of the yard, a deck will probably be the easiest choice. Most decks are made from wood, but there are also vinyl and composite materials available which mimic the look of wood but offer the benefit of less maintenance and a longer life span. Decks look great and offer a significant resale value, but there are a few cons too. Wood decks require regular cleaning and staining to keep them looking new, and they will fade and can rot without upkeep. Some people say that a deck will only last 10 years, but with regular upkeep, they will easily double that lifespan. In terms of cost, a deck made of pine will cost somewhere between $15 to $25 per square foot while a sturdier wood such as cedar will come with a price tag of $25 to $30 per square foot. If you’re looking for a composite or vinyl option, this will be the most expensive at roughly $30 to $45 per square foot. As a rough guide, an average 16x20 foot deck could cost you anywhere between $4,800 to $14,400 depending on the type of material you use.

This brings us to patios. If you have a flat yard, a patio might be a great choice because they are easy to install, require minimal maintenance, and are generally the less expensive option. There are also tons of aesthetic choices, from plain and stamped concrete to brick, pavers, stone, and more. With so many options, you can definitely make a patio stand out, but just like wood, the material that you use will directly affect the price. There are a few cons to think about too. Cheaper options such as plain concrete will be prone to cracking and any material that is joined together will likely require regular weeding or the application of weed repellent. While patios tend to require less maintenance than a deck, a bi-annual application of sealant will help to maintain its durability. Looking at patios from a cost perspective, regular concrete might run you around $5 per square foot, while stamped concrete might cost between $8 and $12 per square foot. Brick is an affordable option at around $7 to $8 per square foot while pavers jump up to roughly $10 to $20 per square foot. The most expensive option will be natural stone, which can be anywhere from $15 to north of $30 per square foot. For a 16x20 foot patio, you’d be looking at anywhere from $1,600 to $9,000 depending on what material you choose to lay.

Remember, these prices are just an estimate and costs will always depend on your choice of product, the size of the space, and the uniqueness of your yard.

Have you recently built a deck or laid a patio? Are you thinking about giving your backyard a new look for summer? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Backyard Makeover: Deck Versus Patio

This is the time of year when spring fever hits and I start dreaming about backyard barbecues and refreshing dips in the pool. With spring right around the corner, I decided it was time to give my backyard a bit of a facelift, and after ripping out a 25-year-old deck, I was confronted with a big decision. Should I stick with my current setup and re-lay a fresh, new deck, or is it time to shake things up with a patio?

Both a deck and a patio can transform a backyard into a relaxing space to enjoy in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter. While many people use the words deck and patio interchangeably, they are actually quite different. A patio refers to a paved or laid space that is directly on the ground and uses materials such as concrete, stone, tiles, pavers, or brick as a foundation. Some patios have a built in firepit, barbecue, seating area, or outdoor kitchen and many are used to surround an inground pool. A deck is constructed of wood, vinyl, or composite and is not placed directly on the ground. They generally have a support system which holds them in place, making them ideal for uneven surfaces or building an extension on the second level of a home. Decks can also boast features such as a pergola and will often contain a railing or fencing for safety and privacy. They are ideal for framing an above ground pool and can also offer a fantastic vantage point if your home looks over a view.

For a lot of people, choosing a deck over a patio or vice versa has a lot to do with the aesthetic. Since patios are often made of stone, they have a smooth look that blends in nicely with the natural surroundings. Patios can also work very well with landscaping and trees, which can offer privacy without the need to build a fence. On the other hand, a deck can be a real statement piece and new technology in wood and composite means that it will keep looking newer for longer. But no matter what look you like, you first have to think about what you’re actually using the outdoor space for.  

Often times, the terrain in your yard or local building codes will dictate which option you go for. If you’re on a slope or a hill, a deck might be your best bet unless you want to pay out the nose for excavation. Then you’ll need to think about the weight that will sit on the surface. If you’re planning on getting a hot tub, that would be better suited for a surface that sits directly on the ground. You’ll also want to consider the weather. Will a solid patio be able to drain properly with the rain and snow that falls in our area? Again, these are just a few things to consider before you start thinking about the materials to use.

Next week, we’ll discuss more of the pros and cons of a deck versus a patio and get into the various costs to consider when revamping your outdoor space.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.