Spring Maintenance for Minnesota Homeowners

Structure Talk

In this episode, Reuben and Tessa discuss spring maintenance for homeowners. They cover topics such as gutter maintenance, gutter guards, downspout extensions, and sump pump discharge. They emphasize the importance of keeping gutters clean and ensuring that water is directed away from the house to prevent water damage and basement flooding. They also provide tips for installing underground tubing for sump pump discharge. In this conversation, Reuben and Tessa discuss various spring maintenance tasks for homeowners. They cover topics such as testing sump pumps, challenges with sump pump discharge, air sealing sump pump baskets, plugging sump pumps into GFCI outlets, replacing sump pumps, cleaning dryer ducts, removing screens on dryer duct terminals, taking off air conditioner covers, checking and changing furnace filters, and turning off pilot lights on gas fireplaces. They also include additional listener suggestions for spring maintenance.
Here is the link to check Tessa’s website: https://www.yourhousecoach.com/
Takeaways
Regular gutter maintenance is essential to prevent water damage and ice dams.
Gutter guards may not be completely maintenance-free and should be checked regularly.
Downspout extensions should be installed to direct water away from the house.
Consider installing underground tubing for sump pump discharge to avoid the hassle of attaching and reattaching extensions. Test your sump pump regularly to ensure it is functioning properly.
Consider air sealing your sump pump basket to prevent radon and moisture from entering your home.
Be cautious when testing sump pumps and avoid sticking your hand in the sump basket.
Check and change your furnace filter year-round to maintain good air quality in your home.
Remove screens on dryer duct terminals to prevent lint buildup and potential safety hazards.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Spring Maintenance
02:02 Tessa's Consulting Work
03:43 Types of Homeowner Issues
06:04 Gutter Maintenance
08:12 Gutter Guards
13:27 Downspout Extensions
14:43 Sump Pump Discharge
16:23 Alternative Sump Pump Discharge
22:05 Challenges of Sump Pump Discharge
23:16 Testing Your Sump Pump
23:55 Air Sealing Sump Pump Baskets
25:08 Alternative Ways to Test Sump Pumps
26:13 Safety Concerns with Sump Pumps
27:24 Plugging Sump Pumps into GFCI Outlets
29:00 Replacing a Sump Pump
29:35 Other Spring Maintenance Tasks
30:06 Cleaning Dryer Ducts
31:17 Removing Screens on Dryer Duct Terminals
32:08 Taking Off Air Conditioner Covers
33:01 Checking and Changing Furnace Filters
35:49 Additional Listener Suggestions
37:31 Turning Off Pilot Lights on Gas Fireplaces
37:57 Preparing to Run Dehumidifiers