Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring!

When the winter season ends, you will probably want to spend more time outside, appreciating the warm weather and the simple pleasures of a nicely kept lawn. Here are a few steps you can take toward creating and maintaining a healthy and gorgeous lawn.

Remove debris. Rake away the debris from the fall and winter months, including leaves and sticks. This will give you a fresh start for the spring. If you have leftover rubbish on the lawn, this can get in the way of mowing, watering, planting seed and so on. Raking has the added benefit of loosening the surface of the soil, encouraging healthy airflow.

Chris Lemcke, national technical director of Weed Man (a lawn care company), advises raking up last year's leaves and matted grass that were hiding under last fall's leaves and sticks left in the yard. This can keep the thatch level at half an inch or less. It will also allow you to care for the lawn properly.

Apply more grass seed. Look for areas with weak grass growth or dead grass. Use a strong rake to open the surface. Mix the grass seed with new, healthy soil. Then spread this soil/grass seed mixture over the surface. Don't forget to regularly water this area to foster hearty and fast grass growth.

Mulch. Mulch is a protective covering that you can apply to soil to lock in moisture. "Mulching with a depth of 2 to 4 inches around the bases of trees, shrubs and in flower beds will retain water and keep plants warm," says Lemcke.

Water deeply. Many homeowners water their lawns often -- but with little water. However, it's better to water only when your lawn needs it with a lot of water.

If you water deep and sparingly, you will train the grass roots to dig deeper into the soil. Whereas, if you water lightly and often, you will train the roots to stay near the surface, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Snow mold. Look for snow mold. This condition is caused when the grass doesn't receive enough oxygen because it's been covered in snow. Snow mold reveals itself when the snow melts.

If you rake your lawn before the arrival of snow, this can reduce your risk of snow-mold. Some people, with a history of snow mold, try to avoid this condition by mowing the lawn well into the autumn and spreading snow evenly across the lawn during winter. The latter, however, is deemed excessive by many people.

Mow high. Mow your lawn with a sharp blade. You should also mow often because grass doesn't adjust as well to infrequent mowing. If you keep your grass a bit on the longer side, it will grow thicker and healthier, with a better-established root system.

Better roots help your grass survive insects or drought. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, many turf grass species should be kept between 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches

Get Your A/C Summer Ready!

We recommend five important steps you can take to get your system ready for peak performance in the summer months:

1) Clean or Change the Filter Once a Month

Some A/C models come with disposable filters, others have filters that can be cleaned with water. Regardless of the filter type, cleaning this part of your unit on a regular basis is your number one priority. With dirty and dusty filters, your A/C system will have to work harder to deliver comfortable air to the home.

2) Keep the Outdoor Unit Clean

The outdoor unit, or condenser, should always be free of anything blocking the equipment. Plant growth, debris, or grass clippings can clog and damage your unit, causing it to run less efficiently. Using a clean cloth or brush, gently clean the coil from the fins. Make sure not to use a lot of force or you may bend the fins. Keeping the outdoor unit clean from debris will reduce resistance and boost your A/C system’s efficiency. Do not forget to turn off the thermostat before attempting to clean the unit.

3) Clean Indoor Ductwork

Because ductwork is hidden within ceilings and walls, a full cleaning of your duct work should be done by a professional. You can keep parts of your ductwork clean and dry by removing registers and inspecting and wiping the visible parts of the ducts.  You can also inspect these parts of the ducts for wear or water damage.

Due to condensation, the air ducts can accumulate moisture. This can damage your system and can lead to the growth of mold and fungus. If there is water damage to your A/C unit, address the problem immediately by calling a professional. Do not try to repair the system on your own, since there could be many different issues resulting in malfunction.

4) Check and Maintain Fan Belts on Outdoor Unit

Inspect the fan belts regularly and adjust or replace them if needed. These parts can usually be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement store. However, be sure that you purchase the correct replacement part for your particular system. These components ensure that your A/C system is running at maximum efficiency, so they play a key role in lowering your energy bills.

5) Schedule a Pre-Season Tune-Up by a Professional

You should hire a professional to inspect and “tune” your air-conditioning unit once in a while. Besides having the right tools and know-how, a licensed contractor can unclog, fix or upgrade your system, keeping it running efficiently and addressing issues before they become larger problems. The cost of a seasonal tune-up is a minimal investment that can keep prolong the life of your system where performed regularly.  

General Recommendations

While some procedures can be performed by homeowners, others will require the help of a professional. When in doubt, hire an A/C system expert. A trusted professional will make sure that the unit is working properly and getting his/her advice will also save you from many potential problems.

It is also important to familiarize yourself with some of the most basic A/C terms. Having a better idea will be essential for doing maintenance in the best way. Here are some of the most commonly used terms:

• Filter – it reduces the amount of dust released into the air. Filters are rectangular or square in shape and can be easily removed from the indoor unit. 

• Duct work – located in the ceiling, these are round tubes are responsible for the distribution of cool or heated air to the rooms.

• Thermostat – a small box mounted near the indoor unit that controls the A/C system. With it, you can change the indoor temperature.

• Register – the registers, or grills, are the inserts in the ceiling or floor that deliver air into your home. Registers can deliver and return re-heated air into a room.

Keeping your home cool is critical in the hot summer months! Be sure you’re prepared for the season by remembering these five important ways to get your A/C system ready for the time you’ll need it most. Also, take some time to get to know your air conditioning system. Familiarity with the most important parts will be essential for you to do regular maintenance, communicate issues with the experts and to make sure that your unit functions properly.