maintenance tips

How to Prepare your home for Spring

March 29, 2018 by admin

Spring is right around the corner and with warmer temps, that means preparing your home for the warmer months ahead. Below are a few tips from our Client Relations department on how to prepare your home for spring.

Sump Pump

After the winter months, it is important to check that your sump pump is in proper working order. Make sure your sump pump is plugged into the designated GFCI outlet. To ensure your pump is working, pour water into the sump pit. The float-arm attached to the pump should raise and the pump will turn on and pump water out. If your sump pump is not running correctly, please refer to your Homeowner Maintenance Manual. Also, replace the exterior PVC downspout that you installed before winter with an extension hose running to the back of your lot or towards the street. If your exterior sump pump hose is trenched, disconnect the PVC downspout and re-connect the black extension hose that leads underground.

Downspouts

Ensure your downspouts are down and leaned away from the foundation to channel water away from your home. We recommend using downspout extensions to move water even further away.

Excess Moisture

As the snow continues to melt and upcoming April showers, it is important to make sure that you are laminate floors are kept dry. Wipe up any spills and moisture immediately. If you need to wash your laminate floors, we recommend a non-abrasive cleaner and a damp cloth/cotton mop. If moisture is left on your laminate floor, this can damage the floor and cause serious issues with buckling.

Furnace Filters

Spring is a good time to replace your furnace filter; although, you should replace your filter every three months. A clogged furnace filter can slow airflow and reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

There are endless maintenance tips that can be completed in the spring and the above are simply recommendations. Read our Homeowner Maintenance Manual for more suggestions.

Design Talks Sump Pumps

May 27, 2017 by admin

When sitting in your design appointment picking out selections for your new Thomsen home, sump pumps can be the last thing on your mind. I asked our Design Team to explain what a sump pump is and why you should consider adding a sump pump backup. According to our Design Specialist, Heidi Toso, your home is a major investment that you’ll want to protect. Adding a sump backup is crucial in the Fargo-Moorhead area as they can run year-round in a lot of homes. The ground remains saturated from snow and rain so sump pumps are constantly working year round to pump water away from your home.

What is a sump pump?

First, let’s talk about what a sump pump actually does for your home. According to the Thomsen Homes Homeowner Manual, the foundation design on your home includes a drain-tile system around the perimeter, and a sump pump. The perimeter drain runs around the foundation to gather water and channel it to the sump pit. When the water reaches a certain level, the pump turns on and pumps the water away from your home. In summary, a sump pump keeps water out of your basement and pumps it away from your home. After learning about what a sump pump does, my next question was, “Well, what if it fails or stops working?” Heidi had an answer for that too, a sump pump backup.

Sump Pump Backup

Thomsen Homes offers two different sump pump backups: battery backup and a water powered backup. If your sump pump were to fail due to power outages, mechanical failure or excessive use, either one of these options would be beneficial for your new home.

If you’re interested in a battery backup, Thomsen Homes has several choices. Some of the options include an audible alarm system, which can be very handy if you’re home to hear the alarm. One of the battery backups that Thomsen Homes offers has a “trickle” charge, while the other has re-chargeable battery that can last for several days (great if your home electricity goes out longer than a few hours).

The water powered backup can be an appealing alternative if you do not want to rely on a battery; however, the downside with a water powered backup is that you are using water to get rid of water. Heidi recommends adding a sump bypass if you choose the water powered route. A sump bypass allows homeowners to control where the water from the sump pump is pumped to. In the winter, homeowners can have the water pumped through the floor drain and in the summer, homeowners can have the water drained outside. However, homeowners should check with their municipality on the rules and regulations for directing the water down the drain.

Another clever feature that can be added to your sump pump is the Night Eye Alarm system. This system monitors your pump and will send an alarm notification to your smart phone via their app if something is in disarray with your pump.

If you are starting the home building process and going to meet with your Design Specialist, talk to them about the different options for your home. We are always happy to help answer any questions you may have.

Spring Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

March 28, 2017 by admin

Next for our homeowner tips series: 8 spring maintenance tips that any homeowner can complete. Spring is just around the corner! In other words, it is time to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. To prevent future problems, a little home maintenance can go a long way and it is much easier to tackle these tips before summer arrives.

8 tips to add to your spring ‘to-do’ list:

General Spring Cleaning – Clean the interior of your home. Wipe down blinds, ceiling fans, and anywhere dust may have formed over the winter months. Now’s the time to clean out that old closet or your kitchen junk drawer.
Heating & AC – Replace filters and check exterior AC hose connection for any leaks that may have occurred during the colder months. Check furnace intake and exhaust pipe on the exterior of your home to ensure that they are free of dirt and debris.
Windows – Check all windows for proper movement. Clean out window tracks and weep holes to ensure proper operation.
Lawn Care – Clean up any debris you may find in your yard. If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, ensure it is in working order.
Decks & Patios – Hose down or power wash patios and decks for cleaning. Inspect your deck for warped loose or splintered boards and fix accordingly.
Gutters – Leaves, dirt and debris tend to collect in gutters. Clean out gutters and check for proper drainage.
Sump Pump – Inspect your sump pump and ensure that it is running properly. To check the operation of your pump, pour water into the sump pit to raise the float-arm attached to the pump. The pump should come on and pump water out. Replace the exterior PVC downspout that you installed in the fall with an extension hose to channel water away from your home.
Lawn Equipment – Check your lawn equipment such as lawn mower to ensure it’s ready for summer. Clean and hose down any patio furniture to prepare for summer use.

There are endless maintenance tips that can be completed in the spring and the 8 tips above are simply recommendations. Read our Homeowner Maintenance Manual for more suggestions.

Signs you need a dehumidifier

January 20, 2017 by admin

Moving into your new home is a very exciting moment in your life and no matter what home plan you have, if you start to notice excessive moisture and ice build-up on your windows in the colder months you need to combat this with a dehumidifier. This excess moisture is known as humidity and it is extremely common in new construction homes.

What is humidity and what causes it?

High levels of humidity can be harmful to you and your family. It can cause health and respiratory problems, especially in young children and the elderly. High humidity can cause mold spores to grow and replicate, creating dangerous health concerns. Humidity is created in your home by taking hot showers, cooking food on your stovetop and in your oven, houseplants with exposed soil and even exhaling air creates excess moisture.

New construction homes are so tightly sealed that this excess moisture has nowhere to go. Think of your home as a Ziploc bag. The warm, humid air in your home reacts with the cold, dry air outside, creating moisture which is most noticeable on your windows. What you don’t see is the moisture that could be forming behind your drywall or in your attic.

How do I control high humidity?

The easiest and most efficient way to control high levels of humidity in your home is with a dehumidifier. You should have at least one dehumidifier in your home, but Thomsen Homes recommends having one on every level. The best area to place a dehumidifier is by your kitchen or bathroom because you can empty the bucket easier as well as stop the moisture at the source.

There are several different types and sizes of dehumidifiers. The most common sizes are 30, 50, and 70 pint dehumidifiers. The size refers to how many pints of moisture the unit can pull from the air in a single day. A 30-pint dehumidifier is more efficient in a smaller space whereas a 70-pint dehumidifier works better for a larger space. Dehumidifiers either have a bucket that water drips into, a hose attachment or both. Both types of dehumidifiers are efficient and what type you choose is a personal preference.

In addition to a dehumidifier, there are several other ways that you can control humidity levels in your home:

Use a kitchen fan while cooking; however, the fan needs to be vented outdoors
Run the exhaust fan while showering, leave the fan on for at least 20 minutes after showering
Do not hang wet clothes to dry inside your home during winter
Leave drapes and pull blinds open to allow proper circulation
When weather permits, open windows to circulate air through your home
Close vents in rooms that are not in use

Watch for more homeowner tips on the Thomsen Homes blog page.

*The above information can be found in your Thomsen Homes Homeowner Maintenance Manual.

8 Fall Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

October 9, 2015 by admin

Next up in our homeowner tips series: 8 fall maintenance tips that any homeowner can complete. Fall is officially here! In other words, it is time to prepare your home for the cooler months ahead. A little home maintenance can go a long way in preventing future problems and it is much easier to tackle these tips before winter arrives. By completing these small ‘fixes’, you save time and money in the long run by not having to complete major house repairs. Add these 8 tips to your fall ‘to-do’ list.

Replace furnace filter – Air filters that are clogged with dust and debris can reduce your home’s heating efficiency and should be replaced regularly, especially if you have pets.
Test carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms – replace batteries if needed.
Clean window screens – remove any environmental debris, spider webs, etc.
Remove leaves and debris from gutter and downspouts – Leaves can clog your gutter system, causing water buildup and damage to your roof. Gutters are also a haven for pests and mold.
Place outdoor planters or furniture in storage – Proper storage away from the elements will extend the life of your items.
Weather stripping on doors – Weather strip adhesive only works above certain temperatures so don’t wait until freezing temperatures to replace. Look around all exterior doors for obvious gaps and replace any weather strips before the snow flies!
Adjust entry door thresholds. Raising the adjustable threshold will help stop any drafts from entering the home.
Sump pump hose – remove black hose and replace with a PVC pipe to prevent

There are endless maintenance tips that can be completed in the fall. The 8 tips above are simply recommendations. Read Fall/Winter Homeowner Maintenance Tips for more suggestions.