BY SARAH HERNANDEZ Real estate Summertime cleanout guide
With summer in full swing in Central Texas, many people take the seasonal change as a chance to clean their homes and tackle lingering maintenance tasks. Here are some expert tips on areas of the home to check on during the warmer months and local resources that accept donations for those interested in doing a home cleanout.
Irrigation system: to prepare for the hotter, sunnier months, a trial run of the sprinkler system may prevent leaks and program malfunctions. Thresholds : check the weather stripping on doors and windows for drafts. Hardscapes : hard surfaces like patios, walkways, sidewalks and decks can become slippery from mildew and pollen buildup during spring. Homeowners can clean these areas themselves or call a professional service.
What to check
Outdoor tips and tricks
Steve Ambrose, division manager of home improvement at ABC Home & Commercial Services, said there are a few exterior areas homeowners can check on as the weather changes, including:
Where to donate
When it comes to the inside of the house, there are various donation centers where people can take their unneeded items after decluttering. Here are a few local places to check out. This list is not comprehensive. See the business website for specific donation instructions. Habitat for Humanity ReStore Donations accepted: home goods, including furniture, appliances, doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, lighting, decor, exercise equipment, baby items, clean clothing and accessories, lawn equipment and more Location: 2521 S. I-35 frontage road, San Marcos Donations accepted (vary by location): adult and children’s clothes, shoes and accessories, household items, toys and games, kitchen items, linens, books, furniture in good condition, sporting goods, electronics Locations: 1005 Hwy. 80, San Marcos; 210 Farm to Market Road 2001, Ste. 105, Buda; 901 Seton Parkway, Kyle www.goodwillcentraltexas.org Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center Donations accepted: new household goods like cleaning supplies, dish soap and paper products, reusable grocery bags, clean children and youth clothing and shoes, new baby products, new toys, kitchenware. Location: Call ahead to arrange donation drop-off www.hcwc.org/get-involved Kyle Library Thrift Shop Donations accepted: lightly used clothing for men, women and children, medium-sized furniture, houseware, kitchenware, jewelry, electronics, books Location: 100 W. Lockhart St., Kyle www.cityofkyle.com/library/page/support-library San Marcos Public Library Donations accepted: gently used books, DVDs, puzzles Location: 625 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos www.sanmarcostx.gov/3879/Library Buda Public Library Donations accepted: gently used books excluding textbooks and encyclopedias and DVDs Location: 405 E. Loop St., Buda www.budalibrary.org www.austinhabitat.org/restore Goodwill of Central Texas
Trees : a quick walk around can point out any trees touching the house roof that need trimming. As the wind blows, long branches may damage the roof shingles. They can also be an avenue for wildlife like squirrels, rats, possums and raccoons to get onto the roof. Condenser : the condenser is the box- shaped outdoor air conditioning unit most houses have. Ambrose said these can also collect debris, resulting in the indoor AC unit not cooling efficiently. Holes : openings and holes in a house may also give indoor access to pests, Ambrose said. Gutters : check for debris like twigs, dried leaves and sap, which can weigh down the gutters.
Homeowners can clean these areas themselves or call a professional service. ABC Home & Commercial provides a variety of home services in the Austin area, including exterior cleaning, pest control, HVAC repair and maintenance, and more. Ambrose said that as people spend more time outside at home, it is important to ensure amenities are running smoothly. “It’s kinda like getting your oil changed on your car before you go on a long trip,” he said. “You want to make sure it’s running efficiently and anything a homeowner can do to make sure it is running efficiently is a good thing.”
SOURCE: STEVE AMBROSE, DIVISION MANAGER OF HOME IMPROVEMENT FOR ABC HOME & COMMERCIAL/COMMUNITY IMPACT
2nd Chance Books Donations accepted: gently used books including fiction, cooking, graphic novels, business and money, religion, history, horror, math, language arts and more Location: 102 Wonder World Drive, Ste. 305, San Marcos www.2ndchancebooks.com Price Center Community Art Closet Donations accepted: paint brushes, acrylic paint, tempera paint, colored construction paper, colored pencils Location: 222 W. San Antonio St., San Marcos www.price-center.org/communityartcloset San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter Donations accepted: unopened dry or canned kitten and puppy food, pet treats, new cleaning supplies, dog and cat shampoos, pet toys, pet beds, stuffing-free blankets, towels, sheets Location: 750 River Road, San Marcos www.sanmarcostx.gov/256/Donate-to-the-Shelter PAWS Shelter of Central Texas Donations accepted: unopened dry pet food and treats, leashes and harnesses, tall wire or plastic exercise pens,
plastic pools, blankets, towels, bath mats, cat and dog carriers and crates Location: 500 FM 150 E., Kyle www.pawsshelter.org BookSpring Donations accepted: picture books in English or Spanish, board books, elementary chapter books, and
recently published teen and adult fiction Location: 1807 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin SAFE Warehouse
Donations accepted: home textiles like bedsheets and blankets, home and office furniture, new food and pantry items Location: 1515 Grove Blvd., Austin
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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION
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