Spring in Greenwich, CT means finally being able to step outside and enjoy your outdoor spaces. It also signals the coming of summer and much warmer weather.  This time of year brings a laundry list of home maintenance and upkeep tasks. The Duffy Home Solutions property management team is already starting to help our Greenwich customers prepare for the warmer months ahead. Following are five of the most common needs we see this time of year.

1) Inspecting Outdoor Systems & Appliances

Luxury homes in Greenwich, CT often have outdoor kitchens that include a refrigerator and sink. The plumbing will need to be brought back online. Before doing so, supply lines should be inspected to ensure potentially trapped and frozen water did not cause any cracks or leaks.

Outdoor grills should be thoroughly cleaned and igniters, burners and gas connections should be inspected for proper function and potential leaks. Refrigerators also need to be cleaned and inspected to ensure they are cooling properly. Our property management team works hard to ensure these, and other steps, are carefully taken so that the equipment is ready to use when needed.

Gutters require attention in spring. The weight of winter ice and snow can cause the gutters to detach and crack. Frozen downspouts in winter can block drainage and lead to water backing up under roof shingles. Spring is a good time to inspect the gutters and have them cleaned and repaired as needed, and to address any water infiltration issues that may have occurred in late winter.

The Duffy Home Solutions Property Management team knows that it doesn’t have to be summer to start enjoying the pool. We help Greenwich, CT homeowners open their pools so they can make the most of it. This means taking a careful approach to bringing equipment back online. Some of the steps include thoroughly inspecting the pumps, filters and heaters for proper function and wear, priming the system correctly, and verifying proper flow rates.

2) Preparation of Exterior Living Spaces

Duffy Home Solutions property management customers know that having outdoor chairs and couches ready to use in the spring starts in the fall. Our outdoor furniture program begins by cleaning and stowing cushions and outdoor rugs in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment. In the spring we freshen them up and put everything back in place so that they are ready to enjoy in the warmer months.

3) Pressure Wash & Clean Exterior Surfaces

Freezing and thawing, moisture and debris from trees and plantings can do a number on outdoor surfaces. Luxury homes in Greenwich, CT often have extensive decking, patios, steps and furniture made of exotic woods, travertine, marble, stone and granite. These materials need to be cleaned and handled properly. Doing so is critical to avoiding damage.

Our experienced property management team understands the right way to clean and maintain these surfaces. For example, teak and other hardwoods may require handwashing and special, more gentle cleaning products. And power washing softer stone, such as slate, will require lower pressure setting to ensure the material is not damaged.

4) Annual AC Tune-Up

Conducting a seasonal tune-up of your AC system is important to helping the equipment run at peak efficiency. It can also help ward off larger maintenance issues. The Duffy Home Solutions property management team has relationships with some of the most skilled and experienced HVAC professionals in the Greenwich, CT area. Our team will oversee the tune up and report back as needed.

AC tune-ups include inspecting and cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, changing out or cleaning filters, checking refrigerant levels and pressures, tightening electrical connections, testing capacitors, and verifying proper airflow and thermostat operation.

HVAC technicians will also conduct a system evaluation to ensure the equipment is running properly and to verify its efficiency ratings. A proper tunning can help extend the lifespan of your valuable equipment and ensure there will be no problems when it’s time to fire the system up.

5) Roof, Deck, Window & Patio Inspection & Maintenance 

Roofing, decking and patio surfaces are not only prone to dirt and debris through the winter, they are also susceptible to rot and damage. Fallen tree limbs, freezing and thawing, wind and rain can all wreak havoc on the exterior of a home during the winter. Wood can rot, slate roofing can become damaged, roof flashing can wear out and stone can crack.

Spring is a good time of the year to have a thorough exterior inspection. Duffy’s team provides a thorough multi point inspection specifically designed to catch springtime related issues before they become bigger problems.

One Source for All of Your Springtime Home Maintenance Needs

Finding the time to handle these and many other maintenance and upkeep tasks can be challenge for a busy household. And identifying trades to handle each task is never an easy process. With Duffy Home Solutions property management program, we become your single source for all Maintenance in the spring – and year-round. We only service Greenwich, CT and have been in business since 1988. Please reach out to learn more.