Winter in Greenwich, CT can feel like a time of dormancy and stillness, but this season can also provide a wonderful opportunity to make progress on the performance, aesthetics and market value of your home. This time of the year, after the holidays and before the warmer months, provides the downtime needed to focus on the home maintenance and home repair projects you’ve been meaning to tackle.
Another reason winter in Greenwich, CT can be a smart time for home maintenance and remodeling projects is that tradespeople are not as busy as other times of the year. In busy renovation months, like spring and summer, even simple renovations can take months to complete. Reach out to Duffy Home Solutions property management team to discuss the following projects.
There are likely a number of unfinished spaces in your home that would be excellent candidates for refinishing. Attics and basements, for example, can be remodeled quite efficiently. These spaces are perfect for a home office, gym, playroom, pantry or media room. Storage is also something to consider. Finished, climate-controlled rooms are excellent for storing items, particularly those of value.
The residential property management team at Duffy Home Solutions provides full build-out services for unfinished space. Our professional team of luxury home remodeling and home design experts can handle the full scope of your project including conceptual planning, project execution and fully fitting out your new space.
According to HGTV columnist Kathy McCleary, “kitchen or bath remodeling is a sure-fire investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost.” And winter is a great time to tackle a bathroom remodel.
The Duffy Home Solutions property management team can guide and facilitate Greenwich homeowners through bathroom renovations of any scope. We will ensure the project is handled with efficiency and an eye for detail. Our streamlined process ensures that you avoid the headaches associated with coordinating unreliable contractors, changing timeliness and unexpected costs. Our team will provide:
Your project can also be coordinated and scheduled around an upcoming winter or spring vacation for increased efficiency and convenience.
It doesn’t take long for a kitchen to lose its luster or simply go out of style. And sometimes you just want the space to function better as your needs evolve. Oftentimes kitchen renovations don’t require a full gut job. Kitchen remodels can be effective with just a refresh that may include new countertops and/or backsplash, additional cabinet or island space, fixtures or new cabinets. Items such as flooring, moldings, and plaster or wallboard can remain in place in a refresh.
This winter the Duffy Home Solutions Design-Build team can help you strategically scope a kitchen refresh project that will update the style, comfort and functionality of your kitchen without the expense of a full renovation.
Given today’s extremely long lead times on new furniture, it may make sense to repair certain existing pieces. The Duffy Home Solutions Property Management team’s in-house designers can orchestrate the repair and updating of your existing furniture. Re-upholstering otherwise good quality chairs, sofas and headboards can be a fun and exciting way to upgrade the look and comfort of your favorite furniture items. We can also oversee the repair and refinishing of your wood furniture using expert furniture finishers.
Paint color is one of the most obvious design elements that can make a room look dated. Newly updated color-schemes can dramatically enhance the aesthetics of your home. The Duffy Home Solutions Property Management team can guide you with a new palate for a particular room or for the entire home. We also coordinate accessories to tie it all together! The cold winter months in Greenwich, CT are an opportune time to repaint while painters generally have less work.
Winter in Greenwich, CT means that trades are more available for renovation projects. When you’re a Duffy Home Solutions property management customer you have one point of contact for all of your home renovation, remodel, repair and maintenance needs. Handling home maintenance work this way provides peace of mind, makes things run easier and smoother, and ensures that all of your home projects will be handled by local experts in their field.
Certain home maintenance and renovation projects can be a disruption to life at home. The perfect time to schedule this type of work is while you’re away on vacation. This way you can avoid having work done on the spaces that you enjoy day to day, particularly in the summer.
At the moment Greenwich Home Management property management team is working on a kitchen facelift in Greenwich, CT. Just one of the many projects we have in progress around the Fairfield County area. This includes repainting cabinets, and replacing the outdated hardware, backsplash and countertops. This is a quick, high impact renovation that can be done easily when you’re on a trip. Here are a few others:
This is a really good home maintenance project to complete while on vacation since you should avoid driving on fresh pavement for the first three to five days after the job is completed. Ideally you should wait up to two weeks before parking on a new driveway. And when you do park, for a short period after that, try to avoid placing the car in direct sun where the asphalt is hottest.
Hiring the right pavement contractor is critical because the job requires following the right application process, using the right materials, and implementing proper drainage. These steps are important to maintaining the longevity of the surface. Greenwich Home Management works with the best pavement contractors in the Greenwich, CT area.
We’ve had a couple of hot days this year in Greenwich and some pool maintenance needs may have already become apparent. Instead of losing out on quality swimming days during repairs, schedule the maintenance during your next trip. The Greenwich Home Management property management team is hard at work repairing cracked, faded or rough pool surfaces and tile, leaking and malfunctioning pool pumps and filters, and broken pool heaters. These projects will help ensure back yard parties go off without a hitch.
Refinishing hardwood floors can put a whole level of the home out of commission. The process requires several days for sanding and multiple coats of stain. This is a great time to be on vacation. And newly finished hardwood floors are a pleasure to come home to.
One advantage of working with a property management company like Greenwich Home Management is that we can not only refinish the floors, but we’ll carefully move and stow your furniture and belongings and then return them in perfect condition so that it was as if nothing ever happened.
Marble, granite, soapstone and quartz countertops can get dingy and faded. Without treatment some materials can become susceptible to staining. Of course kitchen work is one of the most disruptive of the home maintenance projects. Although countertop sealing and polishing does not require a lot of time, it’s a good one to have done while you’re away. Coming home to nicely polished countertops is always a good thing.
Bathroom tile grout can crack and deteriorate over time. This is unsightly, but can also cause problems. Cracks in the grout can allow water to seep behind the tile. When this happens it can cause mold and rot. It can also compromise the integrity of the tile work, leading to more issues. Regrouting and/or sealing will help avoid serious potential issues and bring the tile back to life, giving it a fresh appearance.
Rug and carpet cleaning projects are another one of those property maintenance jobs that take over large areas of the home. While you and the family are lounging on the beach our crew will take care of it for you.
Care and attention should be placed on cleaning rug and carpet surfaces. The right chemicals and cleaners need to be used, and attention needs to be placed on the specific material the rug is made from. Certain area rugs require hand washing. Greenwich Home Management handles cleaning of delicate, heirloom, vintage and antique rugs to ensure the proper steps are being taken to clean these cherished items appropriately.
Vacation is a perfect time to complete home maintenance projects. When you are a Greenwich Home Management property management client we are key holders and a single source of contact for your Greenwich, CT home maintenance needs. This means we can handle all of your interior and exterior projects. Having a trusted partner for maintenance is priceless. Particularly when you’re away.
Spring is here and with it comes a laundry list of spring cleaning and home maintenance tasks. The Greenwich Home Management property management team in Greenwich, CT has put together a checklist of essential to-dos. These tips will help ensure your property is looking its best and help you keep your equipment running efficiently for the months to come. Homeowners can tackle some of these tasks, however, some are best handled by a home maintenance professional.
The following provides more information on some of the key tasks that demand attention:
Gutters can trap leaves and debris over the winter – even if they were cleaned in the fall. Cleaning your gutters in the spring helps to ensure water is always directed away from the house. Clogged gutters can lead to water backup that can be pushed under shingles and cause serious moisture issues that lead to rot and mold. This is a task that Greenwich, CT homeowners often look to Greenwich Home Management to handle. It requires high ladder work. For this reason gutter cleaning is often best handled by a pro.
April and May are typically some of the wettest months of the year. Spring rains can be a scary time for Greenwich homeowners that have had wet basement issues in the past. If you have a sump pump, March and early April are the time to have the equipment inspected to ensure everything is working properly. Inspections can also help expand the lifespan of the pump.
If you have water issues in the basement, but don’t have a sump pump, reach out to Greenwich Home Management to discuss how to eliminate the wet basement once and for all. We can provide a full assessment and determine the cause of the issue. We may recommend installing new drainage, or consider the value of adding a sump pump to remove and water.
The winter months are harsh on home exteriors. Springtime is typically when we see signs of peeling paint. If you do see paint flaking or fading, it’s always a good idea to get ahead of it. Sumer heat can exacerbate the issue. Once wood is exposed to moisture it starts becoming susceptible to rot. This is when having a property management professional like Greenwich Home Management on your side can pay off. We can handle any and all home maintenance tasks, and our master painters can handle the inspection and get the job done.
Lint can build up over time inside dryer vent tubes. When this happens it becomes a fire hazard. Lint is extremely flammable. Keeping the dryer vent clean also helps the machine work at peak efficiently. When clogged, the unit has to work harder to push air out. This uses more energy and causes more ware and tear on the equipment.
Clogged refrigerator coils are not necessarily a fire hazard, but they can affect the efficiency and function of a fridge. When the coils are clogged it can be hard for them to release heat efficiently. The compressor then works harder. This causes stress to the unit which can shorten its lifespan, and it will use more energy.
The Greenwich Home Management property management team vacuums dirt and dust from refrigerator coils. For dryer vents, the crew uses a special brush with a long extension. Both jobs are relatively easy, however it can be nice to have someone handle these types of projects for you.
The winter weather leaves deck, patio, driveway and siding surfaces dirty and covered with debris. Power washing, otherwise known as pressure washing, is an excellent way to clean these surfaces in the spring. Pressure washing, however, requires equipment and knowledge of technique. Improper or overly aggressive use of the machine can result in damaged surfaces. The pressure setting should be in line with the type of surface that is being washed. Some machines can put a hole through asphalt. When done properly, however, pressure washing can make surfaces look like new.
Spring is a great time of year. Kick it off with a thorough spring cleaning and maintenance plan. Having the property ready for outdoor fun with the family, and ensuring your mechanical systems are in top working order, will help ensure that you can relax and enjoy your home for the months to come. The Greenwich Home Management property management team will be busy helping Greenwich households with their checklists. Please reach out to us if you would like help getting your home ready for the season.
Managing a home in Greenwich, CT can almost be a full time job. Greenwich property management tasks such as power washing the patio, painting the house, or putting away patio furniture are hard to ignore, but there are several home maintenance needs that do. At Duffy Home Solutions our Greenwich property management team has put together a list of tasks that should be done on a regular basis to keep your appliances, mechanical equipment and home working efficiently and effectively.
Enrolling in our property management program can ensure these items are taken care of for you. Following are a few key home maintenance initiatives to keep an eye on.
Tree limbs can cause a lot of damage if they fall on the house, auxiliary buildings, or other plantings or trees. And overgrown shrubs that are too close to the house can inhibit airflow and lead to mold and/or rot on siding. The property management team at Greenwich Home Management can inspect the entire property at least once per year to determine if any trees need to be trimmed or plantings need to be trimmed or moved.
Some homeowners don’t realize that inspecting and cleaning the HVAC system is critical to helping mechanical equipment operate at peak efficiency. In addition, this yearly home maintenance task can help equipment last longer. And finding and fixing minor issues can help avoid larger breakdowns before they become bigger, more expensive problems. AC systems should be inspected and cleaned once per year, around May. Heating system yearly maintenance should be completed around October.
Putting this task off could reduce the life span of your refrigerator. Condenser coils run across the bottom or back of the unit. Over time they collect dust and pet hair. This clogs the vents and limits airflow. As a result the unit has to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. The fridge will then use more energy and more strain will be put on the mechanical components. Cleaning refrigerator coils is the type of chore that homeowners often avoid. That’s where Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management services come in. Tasks like this can be part of your regular, ongoing home maintenance plan.
One of the leading causes of hot water heater failure is not draining the tank at least once per year. Sediment can settle at the bottom of the tank. When left in, the sediment can corrode the tank and cause it to leak. When the tank is full of sediment the equipment also has to work harder. This puts strain on the system that can reduce the life span of the unit.
Hot water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod inside the tank. It works by attracting corrosive elements away from other parts of the tank. The anode rod should be inspected regularly and replaced once it becomes significantly deteriorated. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team recommends inspecting hot water heaters once per year. During the inspecting we drain the tank and inspect the anode rod.
There’s nothing like relaxing in front of the fire on a cold winter day. Avoiding chimney cleaning, however, could result in a serious safety issue. Over time wood burning fires deposit soot and creosote inside the lining of the chimney. These elements are highly flammable. Too much buildup could cause a chimney fire. We recommend cleaning the chimney once per year.
Most know to clean the dryer lint trap after each run. This allows airflow to effectively move through the dryer. The equipment has to work harder and takes longer to dry clothes when clogged. The same rule applies to the vent pipe itself. Lint can build up inside the pipe. This restricts airflow as it works to push air out. More importantly, a dryer vent full of lint can be a serious safety issue. Lint is extremely flammable and can ignite while the machine is running. The Duffy Home Solutions Greenwich property management team cleans dryer vents by using special brushes with a long extension.
Making sure your home is properly maintained will help the investments that you make last longer, and keep things running more efficiently. Some homeowners keep lists of essential home maintenance tasks to check off throughout the year. For those that would rather spend their free time being with family and friends, Duffy Home Solutions offers full service property management services for Greenwich Homeowners. We provide one point of contact for all of your home maintenance needs.
Every section of the country has its unique challenges when it comes to home maintenance, renovations, new construction and residential property management. Weather, geography, vegetation, and permitting all play a role. So what do you need to think about when considering how to manage property and/or renovate in the town of Greenwich? There are several unique attributes of Greenwich in particular that makes it a challenge. These same factors also make it a privilege to live here. Let’s take a look.
The Greenwich, CT area has unique landscape features that can make renovation, new construction and landscaping a bit of a challenge. The area has a lot of ledge, for example. This specific issue has been a thorn in the side of Greenwich homebuilders, residential property management companies and homeowners for years. Ledge in the ground makes it very hard to dig for a pool or basement foundation. Growing grass, trees and plantings can also be difficult unless you’re able to get enough soil over it to allow for proper root growth. Blasting the ledge is typically the solution when looking to dig deep into the ground.
Having a relationship with an experienced Greenwich area homebuilder and maintenance professional will be key when looking to build and maintain a waterfront property. The land in the area typically has a high water table and so drainage and redirection of water is key for keeping finished basements dry and building new foundations. In addition these types of lots often have sloping and rocky topography with highly technical engineering requirements for building.
When it comes to maintenance, it’s important to have a residential property management professional that understands how to take care of waterfront homes. The salt air and winds coming off the water will ware on the structure and landscaping much quicker than homes that are inland. More frequent inspection, repair and maintenance of roofing, flashing, decking, doors and windows is typically the norm. Greenwich Home Management manages waterfront properties and so we understand what it takes to keep up.
If you’re building or buying property directly on the waterfront, or positioned just off the water, you’ll want to consider the interior of the home as well. Sand and saltwater will inevitably make its way inside. Flooring, fine rugs, and upholstery can be subject to ware when exposed to these elements. Consider installing an outdoor shower and be sure to have a mudroom space or entry with durable flooring to catch sand. And make it a habit to remove shoes before entering the main space.
Greenwich is an area with a large population and high frequency of complex home building and renovation projects. Large homes that are built on challenging land require specific permit requirements from the town. It’s critical to have a building partner that understands the local permitting process. At Greenwich Home Management we’ve been managing residential properties and building new homes and renovations for years in Greenwich. As a result we have relationships with town officials as well as an intimate knowledge of the permitting requirements.
This factor is not unique to Greenwich, however the New England climate is something that homeowners here need to consider. Typical Connecticut seasonal weather factors require ongoing maintenance. Autumn means fall cleanup, gutter cleaning and tree trimming. The winter snow and ice as well as heavy spring rains and summer heat can ware on roofing, flashing, decking, masonry, siding, and other parts of the home. When homeowners are enrolled with Greenwich Home Management property management program they have one point of contact for professionals across all trades.
If you’re considering building a new home or renovating an existing property in Greenwich, CT, it’s important to know the challenges you may face. This way you’ll be prepared when it comes time to build or buy and you’ll know what to expect in terms of ongoing property management requirements. At Greenwich Home Management we’ve helped numerous families navigate the area. We’ve found that living in this beautiful section of the country is well worth any of the challenges that it may pose.
We put together the following Q&A with John Duffy from Greenwich Home Management in Greenwich, CT to help you better understand how residential property management works. Right now it’s springtime and the busy season for home maintenance is upon us. We thought this would be a good time to discuss the benefits that come along with having a dedicated partner to handle the wide range of home maintenance needs.
A: Property management is a program that homeowners enroll in that provides year round home maintenance and repair coverage. When you enroll in the program you have a single point of contact for all repairs, maintenance and emergencies, 24/7 365 days a year. This means you can call us at any time and we’ll send one of our experienced professionals over to handle jobs such as fixing a leaky faucet, yearly pool opening, or refinishing your basement.
You pay a nominal fixed monthly fee, which gives you access to the service. Your home repair or emergency will then be responded to and handled immediately. For major repairs we will obtain multiple competitive bids from our pre-vetted roster of qualified service providers.
At Greenwich Home Management we’ve been in the business of home improvement in Greenwich, CT for over 25 years. Our employees are full-time professional journeymen. As a result, when you enroll in our property management program you’ll be confident that a skilled professional is handling the job – no matter what type of project it is.
A: A handyman typically handles small, relatively simple jobs around the house. Using a handyman for specialized, highly skilled work, however, is not typically recommended.
DHS employees are full-time professional journeymen that are skilled in precision home repair projects. When it comes to home maintenance projects such as installing a new pool pump, building custom cabinetry, or maintaining your HVAC system, you always want to be employing experienced, skilled specialists that are licensed in their specific trades. In these instances, we obtain multiple competitive bids from our pre-vetted roster of service professionals.
Homeowners know that maintaining a home requires a wide range of professionals. Finding and scheduling ones you trust is challenging. When you’re a client of DHS we will assess your specific project need and provide the appropriate solution with prompt and professional customer service.
A: We are your single point of contact. Certain yearly maintenance will automatically be taken care of depending on your homes specific requirements. These types of projects may include pool opening and closing, pool cleaning, setting up patio furniture, gutter cleaning, yearly HVAC cleaning and servicing, etc. When additional needs come up we pride ourselves on our expeditious response to client requests.
A: We will assign a single key holder to your account. If indoor maintenance is required when you are not home, your key holder will come over to let the tradesperson in. This way you have a trusted contact to take care of it, and you won’t have to work around someone else’s schedule to get things done around the house.
A: When we say no job is too big or too small we mean it. Property management covers virtually anything that you can think of regarding the repair and maintenance of your home. We even get calls from our clients from time to time with trivial non-repair issues - they may have left the house and cannot remember if they turned off the stove or they are running behind on their way home and call us to stop by and let the dog out. We are always happy to help!
Some other examples of small or miscellaneous projects would include changing light bulbs, stringing holiday lights, adjusting hinges, or installing a pet door. And since we employ highly skilled local Greenwich, CT area trades and craftsmen, we can also help you install a new pool, fix wet basement issues and finish the space, build a new home addition or renovate your kitchen and/or bathroom.
At Greenwich Home Management we started out as luxury custom homebuilders and renovation specialists. Being a custom home contractor requires pulling the full range of trades together. This is how we’ve vetted the tradespeople that we hire for our property management program. The same professionals that help build the finest custom homes in Greenwich, CT and Fairfield County are the pros that will be maintaining your home.
A: No. Everyone has maintenance needs. At Greenwich Home Management we maintain a range of property types. It comes down to convenience. We provide a level of service that helps you eliminate the time consuming calling and scheduling required to keep up with your property. This allows you to focus on more important things, like spending time with your fa
This is an unusual time for us all. Like many you’re probably trying to figure out how to juggle family, work, and home tasks. Although some projects can be put on hold, certain home maintenance needs will require attention. Many New York City residents are coming to their second homes in Greenwich, CT to avoid the city. As a result we’re seeing an uptick in demand for properties that need to be ready for full time occupancy. So how should you approach residential property management during this time? Following are some ideas on how to keep your family and your home maintenance professionals healthy.
At Greenwich Home Management we provide residential property management services. As a result we dispatch the full range of home maintenance professionals. During this time of year in Greenwich, CT we are starting to handle outdoor work, such as spring-cleaning, masonry, and pool installs and openings. These workers pose lower health risk than others that need to be indoors. Indoor projects, of course, still require attention. When it comes to AC maintenance, appliance repair and plumbing issues, you’ll want to take additional care.
If you plan to have workers on your property it’s important to maintain close, remote communication with your property management company to ensure certain protocol can be implemented. You should feel comfortable asking questions and providing any guidelines that you feel are necessary to maintain the health of your family. In addition you may need to let your management team know when you want certain work to be done. And always inform crews before hand if you have someone in the house that is showing signs of sickness.
At Greenwich Home Management we are taking a range of precautions daily. Before dispatching a handyman, HVAC repair professional or landscape crew to someone’s house we ensure that nobody has fever, cough or shortness of breath. We instruct our crews to handle only the tools and equipment needed to accomplish the job. In addition our crew will regularly be using hand sanitizer, thoroughly washing hands, and avoiding contact with mouth, eyes and nose. We also employ facemasks and booties to cover footwear.
The New England Journal of Medicine states that coronaviruses do not survive well on clothing surfaces. As a result it is unlikely that a worker would carry the virus on their clothes into a home.
We are social animals and it’s instinctual to reach out and shake someone’s hand when they arrive up at your home. During this time, however, skip the handshake, and maintain six feet of distance to work crew. In some instances you may be more comfortable leaving instructions with your property management company that allows them to enter the home on their own.
At Greenwich Home Management our residential property management services are set up well for this type of situation. You have one point of contact for all of your home maintenance needs. And your management contact will have key access to allow workers into the home if needed. If it makes you more comfortable we can let the tradesman into the home even if you are there. This way you can avoid any potential contact. And we can work closely with you to establish schedules that you’re comfortable with.
Many Greenwich residents are now working from home. As a result a home office space needs to be fully functional. For those using weekend homes, dedicated offices may not be in place. And of course the kids are home now full time. This all leads to more usage of equipment and appliances as well as special requirements that may need maintenance and/or setup. Your property management company can help you establish a comfortable workspace.
It’s spring and so there are likely several projects that need to be completed. And of course things always come up unexpectedly. To help make the process easier during this stressful time, our property management team can tackle all of your spring maintenance needs. These may include AC tune-up and cleaning, spring yard cleanup, roof repair, wet basement issues, driveway repair, gutter cleaning, etc.
Making smart decisions when it comes to social distancing can make all the difference in this unique situation. Our Greenwich, CT residential property management team will do our part to help keep you and your family healthy. Eventually we’ll get through this and we’ll do it by working together.
Doors and windows are constantly being opened and closed, and sometimes not so gracefully. Wear and tear can lead to issues. Some are minor, such as squeaking or misalignment. Some problems, however, can lead to water infiltration or loss of warm or cool air. At Greenwich Home Management our residential property management team has repaired and replaced numerous doors and windows in and around the Greenwich, CT area. Home renovation can be an excellent time to replace windows and doors, but sometimes you just need a quick fix. Let’s take a look at some of the more common issues.
If your doors are making squeaking noises, the solution may be as easy as applying WD40 to the hinges. If noise persists, and you’re also experiencing rattling and/or the door is not opening and closing smoothly, then you may need to tighten and/or adjust the hinges to realign them. These are the types of jobs that a property management company can help with.
Door and window parts break down over time, particularly in the Greenwich, CT climate. Homes are subject to ever changing conditions such as heat, cold, snow, ice and rain across all seasons. Door weather stripping can degrade and come off. Doors can also become misaligned, allowing gaps at the bottom that let air in. Window sashes, gaskets and weather stripping can shrink and degrade and older window glazing can break down and fall off.
If you’re conducting a home renovation, this is a great time to have your property management team install new, energy efficient windows and exterior doors. Making an investment in high quality products will make all the difference here. If you’re just looking to repair a single drafty door or window, call your residential property management team. For short term fixes they can replace glazing and weather stripping or make adjustments to the door to eliminate gaps.
Interior or exterior doors can become stuck, making it a challenge to open and close them. One of the main causes of a stuck door is summertime humidity. The wooden door absorbs moisture and swells. Fixing this issue starts by identifying where the door is getting stuck. If the point of contact is the door jam, your property management team may shave just a bit off with a hand planner. Sometimes the door hinge mortise’s may need to be deepened to pull the door away from the jam a bit.
When planning wood from a door, it’s important not to remove too much. The wood will shrink back in the wintertime. Also, to help avoid moisture from getting into the door again, any unfinished wood surfaces should be painted – including the top and bottom of the door. Sometimes it’s just more efficient to replace a stuck door. Just make sure all sides are sealed with paint before the door is hung.
Several issues can cause window condensation. If you’ve just built a new renovation or home addition the space may be too air tight. This can be good for keeping warm and cool air in, but the downside is lack of ventilation. Warm, humid air from cooking or showers can cause condensation on the inside of windows when the moist air hits the cold glass in the wintertime. If homes are too tight, trapped moisture, in places other than on windowpanes, can cause mold. Home ventilation systems can help circulate the air and eliminate the issue.
If condensation if building up inside multi-pane windows, you likely have a broken seal. If the windows are relatively new they may be covered under warranty. If they are older windows they’ll likely need to be replaced. Check with your residential property management company to help assess and repair any moisture issues.
The ever changing and harsh climate of Greenwich, CT can make even high quality windows and doors function improperly over time. Greenwich Home Management provides year round residential property management services. For jobs large and small we’ll bring in a skilled handyman or experienced local tradesman to help get the problem fixed.
Exercising at home comes with a range of benefits. It’s convenient, private, and allows you to remain close to your family while working out. As a busy Greenwich, CT area resident you know time can be hard to come by. Building a home gym is one way to ensure you’ll have a dedicated space for your workouts. Doing it right means more than just throwing an exercise bike in the corner of the study. The following tips can help you plan out the space.
The first step is to determine where your home gym will be located. If you’re building a new custom home, renovating, or building an addition, now is a good time to factor in the room you’ll need. For these types of jobs you’ll want a professional organization familiar with the Greenwich, CT area permitting process and someone that can handle the project from start to finish. At Greenwich Home Management our property management services range from full custom home building and renovation, to ongoing home maintenance programs.
If you’re using an existing room you can still build it out to function well for effective workouts. Make sure to remove clutter and clear out any distractions that may sidetrack your workout. For news spaces, work closely with your residential property management company to ensure that the room is built out to your specifications.
One of the first things to consider should be lighting. Light helps you feel energized and alert. Natural sunlight is ideal. If possible, make sure there are plenty of windows and doors to let the light pour in. If you’re using a finished basement or renovating one, and natural light is harder to come by, work with your property management company to design a lighting scheme that keeps the space bright and provides even light throughout.
When choosing flooring for your home gym you’ll want to consider traction, shock absorption, and durability. Hard or slippery surfaces like concrete or hardwood can lead to injury. Rubber flooring, or large rubber pads, is an excellent choice. Vinyl, indoor outdoor carpet, cork, or even artificial turf are also good materials. Rubber mats, or large interlocking rubber tiles can be used if you don’t plan to replace existing hard flooring.
Every home gym workout routine requires different equipment. In addition to the big items, such as stationary bikes and weights, you’ll want to have a few key elements that encourage a positive workout. Mirrors help create the illusion of a larger space. They also help you see the position of your body during workouts such as yoga and weight training. Fans help keep you cool and keep the air moving. Plants boost oxygen levels. And air purifiers remove pollutants from the air.
The basement can be an excellent space for building a home gym. Finishing a basement, however, starts with the help of a professional that understands how to handle complex home renovations. A residential property management company will bring in the right trades to ensure your space is setup the right way.
The fist thing to consider when finishing a basement is moisture. Water issues typically start on the outside of the home. Work with your property management company to ensure that water is not running towards the house and up against the foundation during rainstorms and when snow melts. This can happen when the yard is sloped towards the home and/or rainwater is being drained from gutters improperly.
If you have slope issues you may need to regrade the yard to ensure water is flowing away from the foundation. You’ll also want to ensure that french drains are in place. This type of drainage consists of pipes buried up against the perimeter of the foundation. The pipes have holes at the top that collect water. The water is then redirected away from the house.
Trench drains can also be very effective. If water is running down the driveway towards the house, for example, you can install a trench drain to catch and redirect it.
Another consideration with a finished basement will be natural light. Walkout basements often have doors and windows, however this feature is typically realized when the land slopes down on one side of the house. If your land does not provide these natural contours, consider adding egress windows. Your property management company will dig out from the foundation to open up a portion large enough to fit a window or two. Retaining walls will be built several feet back from the foundation to hold the earth. Egress windows also provide a point of exit, which is important for any finished room in the house.
Having a dedicated space to workout in your Greenwich, CT area home will help remove barriers when it comes time to get moving. With the help of a residential property management company you can outfit an existing space, renovate, or build a new addition to create the ultimate home gym to your specifications. Designing and planning the space ahead of time will go along way towards creating a comfortable environment that you’ll want to spend time in. Greenwich Home Management can help you every step of the way.
Dealing with property management projects can be time consuming and costly. Waiting them out, however, can lead to even larger jobs with higher costs. In and around the Greenwich, CT area the ever-changing weather constantly tests our homes. Fairfield County, CT climates bring heavy rains, heat, cold, snow, ice, and wind. These elements put strain on your HVAC system, erode roofing and siding, etc. Keeping up with maintenance can save you in the long run, whether you do the work yourself or employ a residential property management company. The following projects require attention before they lead to bigger issues.