The winter season is quickly approaching, which means the time for taking care of things like your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is now. Fortunately, the Henrico County Department of Community Revitalization and Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity have teamed up to host a series of free home maintenance workshops starting October 17 at Harvie Elementary School, according to the local Virginia newspaper Henrico Citizen.
The first workshop is entitled ‘Weatherization and Seasonal Maintenance.’ It will feature professional handyman services in the field explaining different ways to save money on heating and cooling costs, sealing air leaks, repairing duct systems, and replacing unsafe heating systems. They will also talk about carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and offer other seasonal tips for things like cleaning out gutters.
You might not think of gutter maintenance as much because new gutters can last between 20 and 40 years, but they need consistent cleaning depending on how many and the types of trees that surround your house. Trees that shed a lot, like pine, can require gutter cleaning four times a year. If you only have trees with occasional leaf falling, like oak, you probably only need to clean twice a year.
The workshop will be led by local experts who will not only talk about these areas, but also include hands-on activities, demonstrations, and exhibits. Doors open at 8:30 am and the program runs from 9:00 am to 12:15 pm. The three other home maintenance workshops scheduled for later dates are: Small Home Repairs, Home Improvements, and Landscaping and Curb Appeal.
There is a certain combination of science and art when it comes to proper home maintenance. While many people are fortunate enough to grow up in a situation where they can learn by example from their parents or adults they live with, many others either don’t retain the knowledge or were never given the opportunity.