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C HEC KLIST | SPRING CLEANING
THE REAL ESTATE JOURNAL
Springing back Spring is on its way, and with it comes the annual tradition of an indepth cleaning of the home to turn a new leaf. Spring cleaning may not be so relevant in Guam, as we do not experience the aftermath of winter. Still, the practice of setting aside time to clean your home, free up space, and try new decorations is a refreshing experience. The effort it takes for a full-on spring cleaning is not ideal for just one person, so it is best to have some assistance with what we also call a “deep clean.” First things first: a thorough sweep, dust, vacuum and mop. From floors to the top of cabinets,
Even though the tradition of spring cleaning is not entirely relevant to Guam, an annual deep cleaning of the home is good practice.
reducing the amount of dust and dirt from your home can improve cleanliness and reduce chances of mold from forming in the home. This includes cleaning inside closets and under refrigerators, beds and couches. In fact, the places that are often overlooked when cleaning should be on the top of the list to clean. Typhoon shutters accumulate leavings from geckos and wasps, so it is ideal to clean them from the inside and outside at this time. Sam Lai, general manager of Alliance Metal Specialties, said shutters should be inspected at least once a year.
“You can use a garden hose to clean and flush out the dirt and mud. Give the shutters some time to dry, then apply lubricant to the rollers and locks. Thumbscrews holding the locking rods can use some marine-grade type of grease applied into the threads,” Lai said. Driveways are also overlooked, mostly because they are covered by vehicles and some equipment most of the time. Richard Ulloa, certified home inspector of Guam Home Inspections, recommends water blasting the surface to remove buildup. “Buildup on exterior walking surfaces is very slippery and can
cause slips and falls,” Ulloa said. Clearing the yard of debris and cutting loose branches off trees is a proactive way to prevent any accidents from happening in instances where children are playing outside. The roof will likely need to be water blasted or at least swept, so that can be another outdoor task to add on. Spring cleaning can also mean a basic check of your house’s infrastructure. Visual checks in plumbing and electrical can help detect problems early. Checking for any visible cracks or possible leaking points is also a good idea. p
