45th Parallel Home Maintenance

45th Parallel Home Maintenance Whether you need routine care or expert guidance on a major project, call us.

45th Parallel Home Maintenance provides seasonal maintenance, preventative home audit , repairs, and licensed builder consulting for homeowners across the Traverse City region.

Wrapped up an outdoor lighting project this week and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Path lighting along the w...
08/27/2026

Wrapped up an outdoor lighting project this week and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Path lighting along the walkway, some uplighting on the trees out front, accent lights on the house — makes a huge difference once the sun goes down.

Used fixtures from AMP Lighting () for this one — solid stuff for Northern Michigan conditions.

If your place could use some outdoor lighting before the days get shorter, let's talk. Send me a message or give a call — 231-252-0020.

Winter Home Watch in Traverse City | Starting at $99/month ❄️🏡Most cold-weather pipe bursts don't happen right during a ...
08/02/2026

Winter Home Watch in Traverse City | Starting at $99/month ❄️🏡

Most cold-weather pipe bursts don't happen right during a cold snap—they happen weeks later when nobody is around to notice, turning a minor leak into a massive insurance claim.

If your cottage or vacation home sits empty for stretches this winter, proactive care makes all the difference. At 45th Parallel Home Maintenance, we take the necessary steps to ensure your Northern Michigan property stays protected while you’re away.

What we cover with our winter watch & monitoring services:

Remote Leak & Temp Monitoring: Simple sensors alert us before freezing turns into flooding.

Property Inspections: In-person home visits to verify heating and overall exterior condition.

Winterization Essentials: Draining water lines, treating drains with antifreeze, and ensuring furnace vents stay clear of deep snow drift.

No Wi-Fi? No Problem: We offer 4G LTE monitoring options for homes without year-round internet.

Get total peace of mind this winter!

Learn more with the link below.

Are Your Gutters Overflowing in Heavy Rain? It Might Be a Sizing Issue. 🌧️🏠Most homeowners assume overflowing gutters ar...
07/26/2026

Are Your Gutters Overflowing in Heavy Rain? It Might Be a Sizing Issue. 🌧️🏠

Most homeowners assume overflowing gutters are just clogged, but often, standard 5-inch gutters simply can’t keep up with the volume of water coming off steep or large roofs.

Here is what determines proper gutter sizing for your home:

Roof Pitch & Surface Area: Steeper roofs shed water rapidly. Large roof sections create a heavy deluge during summer storms.
5" vs. 6" Systems: Upgrading from standard 5-inch to 6-inch gutters increases water capacity by nearly 50%.
Downspout Upgrades: Pairing larger gutters with 3x4-inch downspouts lets high water volumes—and pine needles or small debris—pass through cleanly.

Preventing overflow protects your fascia, siding, landscaping, and foundation from costly long-term water damage!

Need help evaluating your home’s exterior drainage or seasonal maintenance? DM or call for your home assessment.

🍁 Protect Your Northern Michigan Cottage This Winter! 🍁As the vibrant summer days wind down, it’s time to think about bu...
07/11/2026

🍁 Protect Your Northern Michigan Cottage This Winter! 🍁
As the vibrant summer days wind down, it’s time to think about buttoning up your vacation home before the harsh Northern Michigan winter sets in. Frozen pipes, ice dams, and failed sump pumps won't wait for your next visit to announce themselves!

At 45th Parallel Home Maintenance, we don't just "turn off the water." Led by a licensed Michigan builder and Chemical Engineer, our Fall Closing & Winterization service gives you absolute peace of mind from 300 miles away.

What’s Included in Our Professional Fall Closing:
Full Plumbing Winterization: Water lines thoroughly blown out, antifreeze added to traps/drains, and the water heater safely drained.

Thermal Imaging Scan: We find hidden heat loss and insulation gaps before you spend the season paying to heat the outdoors.

Complete Exterior Prep: Full gutter clearing before the freeze/thaw cycle, plus securing of all spigots, vents, and screens.

Full Digital Photo Report: A complete summary and photographic proof sent straight to your phone so you see exactly what we see.

We proudly serve premier homes and seasonal cottages throughout Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, and Antrim Counties (including Torch Lake, Crystal Lake, Glen Lake, and Old Mission Peninsula).

Seasonal Booking Offer: Ask us about bundling your Spring Opening + Fall Closing together to lock in priority scheduling and seasonal savings!

Spaces fill up quickly as the temperatures drop. Let a licensed professional protect your investment. See link in comments.

Summer days are officially here! The last thing you want is for your AC to pull a disappearing act when you need it most...
06/26/2026

Summer days are officially here! The last thing you want is for your AC to pull a disappearing act when you need it most.

Before the heatwave hits its peak, take 15 minutes to give your cooling system some love. Here are 3 quick maintenance steps every homeowner should do right now:

1️⃣ Change the Filter: A clogged filter forces your system to work twice as hard, spiking your energy bill and lowering your air quality. Swap it out every 90 days. Higher Merv number on the filter can require your system to work harder. Change out more often with a Merv 9 or 11 filter.
2️⃣ Clean the Condensate Line: Clear out any sludge or algae with a little vinegar to prevent water backups and costly ceiling leaks. If your system has a brush, use it to scrub the p-trap and the line back to condenser.
3️⃣ Clean Off the Coils: Grab a hose and gently rinse away dirt, grass clippings, and debris from your outdoor unit so it can release heat efficiently.

Don't wait for your system to break down!

👇 Need a professional hand? Drop a comment below or send us a message today to get on our schedule!

Why our job isn’t done when we pack up the tools... 📋🛠️Most homeowners only call a professional when something is alread...
06/13/2026

Why our job isn’t done when we pack up the tools... 📋🛠️

Most homeowners only call a professional when something is already leaking, rotting, or broken. At 45th Parallel Home Maintenance, we’re changing that.

When we finish a repair, a seasonal tune-up, or a Preventative Home Assessment, you don’t just get a handshake and a receipt. You receive a comprehensive, digital Home Blueprint Report delivered straight to your inbox.

Here is what that report does for you:
🔍 Visual Proof: Includes high-quality photos of exactly what we found—including those hard-to-see areas like rooflines, crawlspaces, and deep inside dryer vents.
✅ Clear Priorities: We separate immediate safety or repair needs from future maintenance items so you can plan and budget without surprises.
🏡 Cottage Peace of Mind: Perfect for our "Up North" seasonal owners. You'll know exactly how your property is doing even when you're miles away.
📈 Resale Value: It acts as a running, documented history of your home’s care—an incredible asset if you ever decide to sell.

Don't guess when it comes to your home's health. Let's get a proactive plan in place.

Ready to see where your home stands? Visit 45phm.com to check out our preventative services

Vanity Swap: More than a new look!If your bathroom vanity has been sitting there since the house was built, it’s likely ...
06/03/2026

Vanity Swap: More than a new look!

If your bathroom vanity has been sitting there since the house was built, it’s likely doing more than just looking dated. While swapping it out gives your bathroom an instant aesthetic upgrade, a professional vanity installation actually solves three massive functional and structural problems:

Say Goodbye to Pedestal Sink Clutter: Pedestal sinks look classic, but they offer zero storage, leaving all your daily toiletries out on display. Swapping one for a modern vanity gives you actual cupboard and drawer space exactly where you need it.

Smart, Engineered Storage: Older standard cabinets are notorious for wasted space. Modern vanities feature clever plumbing cut-outs and deep roll-out drawers that drastically increase your usable storage within the exact same footprint.

Eliminate Hidden Age & Moisture Wear: Older vanities made of low-grade particle board naturally absorb humidity over time, leading to warping, structural weakness, and a breeding ground for mold. We replace it with durable, moisture-resistant modern cabinetry.

Ready to claim your bathroom storage back and completely refresh your space? Let's get it done right.

🔗 Head to 45phm.com or click the link in our bio to request an estimate through our client hub today!

The Danger of "Through-Holes": Why Exterior Penetrations Need a Seal Take a walk around your home's exterior today. Look...
05/25/2026

The Danger of "Through-Holes": Why Exterior Penetrations Need a Seal

Take a walk around your home's exterior today. Look closely at where your AC lines, flexible conduits, internet cables, or outdoor pipes enter your house. Are there gaps around them?

In the home maintenance, these are "through-holes," and leaving them unsealed is an open invitation for trouble.

Even a gap as small as a dime is enough for mice, spiders, and stinging insects to find their way inside your walls. Beyond pests, unsealed holes allow conditioned air to escape, driving up your energy bills. Over time, wind-driven rain can seep into these gaps, quietly causing hidden wood rot and mold.

How to fix it right:
❌ Don't just spray standard expanding foam. It degrades quickly in UV light, and pests can chew right through it. They do make pest block foam which can be used. Just make sure to seal outside face with silicone.
✅ Use high-quality exterior silicone sealant, pest-resistant backing rods, or specialized escutcheon plates to ensure a long-lasting, weather-tight barrier.

Make sure to check the ones that were sealed in the past. It doesn't take log for the silicone to shrink, crack, and degrade.

Catching these small vulnerabilities before they turn into expensive emergencies is exactly what we do. If you notice gaps or daylight around your exterior utilities, let’s get them sealed up properly.

🔗 Visit 45phm.com to schedule a comprehensive Preventative Home Assessment today!

Is Your A/C Hiding a Water Disaster? Most Traverse City homeowners don’t think about their HVAC condensate line—until th...
05/08/2026

Is Your A/C Hiding a Water Disaster?

Most Traverse City homeowners don’t think about their HVAC condensate line—until they find a puddle on the floor or a water stain on the ceiling.

As your air conditioner runs, it pulls gallons of moisture from the air. That water is supposed to flow outside, but over time, algae, mold, and dust create a "sludge" that plugs the pipe.

Why you should check it NOW:
✅ Prevent Water Damage: A clogged line can overflow into your furnace or attic, damaging drywall and flooring.
✅ Avoid System Shutdowns: Many modern systems have safety "float switches." If the line backs up, your A/C kills the power to prevent a flood—usually on the hottest day of the year.
✅ Better Air Quality: Standing water in your vents is a breeding ground for biological growth.

Pro-Tip: A simple flush with white vinegar every few months can help keep the "gunk" at bay.

Need a hand? We include a full condensate line flush and safety switch test in our Preventative Home Assessment. Don't wait for the leak to find you!

👇 Book your seasonal maintenance check-up here:
https://45phm.com/contact

Protect Your Foundation: The Danger of Buried SidingLandscaping season is here, but be careful how high you pile that mu...
05/02/2026

Protect Your Foundation: The Danger of Buried Siding

Landscaping season is here, but be careful how high you pile that mulch!

We recently inspected a property where the "grade" (the ground level) had crept up above the foundation line. This might look clean, but it’s a recipe for structural disaster.

Here is why this matters:

Structural Rot: As seen in picture with plywood, once you bury your sheathing, it acts like a wick, pulling moisture directly into your home's framing.

Pest Access: Keeping siding away from the dirt is your first line of defense against termites and carpenter ants.

Mechanical Failure: Condensate lines, like the one in photo, need to be clear of debris to function properly. Also the secondary drain line drips is a key indicator for drainage issues on the AC condenser.

At 45th Parallel Home Maintenance, we look beyond the surface. We use building science—including infrared diagnostics and moisture meters—to ensure your home stays high and dry through our Northern Michigan seasons.

If you haven't seen your concrete foundation in a while, it's time to pull that mulch back!

Want a professional eye on your property? Message us today to learn about our quarterly service checklists and stewardship programs.

Address

Traverse City, MI

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 9pm
Tuesday 7am - 9pm
Wednesday 7am - 9pm
Thursday 7am - 9pm
Friday 7am - 9am
Saturday 7am - 9pm
Sunday 7am - 9pm

Telephone

(231)2520020

Website

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