Just as the winter can be hard on your house, summer isn’t always a vacation either. If you follow these summer home maintenance tips you’ll be well on your way to getting the most out of the season!
Interior home maintenance:
Test all of your smoke and your carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries if needed
Get your cooling system ready
Consider getting your air-conditioning system serviced. Proper air conditioner maintenance can help your AC last longer and prevent air conditioner fires. This one is especially important for summer home maintenance since you don’t want to be stuck without air conditioning when the temperature starts climbing
Dust the ceiling fan blades and check that the fan is balanced and working properly
Get your chimney cleaned. Yes, you might not use your fireplace again until fall or winter, but that’s exactly why this is the perfect time to call a chimney cleaning service. They won’t be as busy!
Clean or replace your showerheads
Clean bathroom drains
Clean the baseboards of your home. Use a damp cloth and wipe away all the dust and grime
Check your attic and basement
In your attic, look for signs of dampness, mildew, leaks, holes in the roof, and pests
In the basement, check for leaks, pests, mold, and mildew
Clean the vents of your bathroom fans
Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct
Clean out all of the dust and lint trapped in the vent and exhaust duct. Call in a professional to clean and service your washer and dryer if needed. Clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if they’re not cleaned and maintained
Change the filter in the air conditioner
Outdoor home maintenance:
Clean your grill to prep for summer barbequing
Wash down your porch. You should sweep the porch thoroughly, then wash it with a cleaner. Remove any embedded dirt by scrubbing with soap and water
Give your deck a once-over. This is a summer home maintenance must
Check your deck to see if there are any boards that look like they’re rotting. Have them replaced
Hammer any loose nails
Wash the windows. Why not? Clean windows are nice. Use warm water and soap to get those windows sparkling
Wash or change your window screens
Add a layer of mulch. If you have plants, the extra mulch will help fight off weeds and help your soil retain moisture during those scorching summer months
Check for outdoor leaks. Go on a hunt for leaks by checking all outdoor faucets. Then look at your hose. You can waste a lot of water if there’s even a tiny hole in your hose. Use electrical tape to repair any small holes in your hose
Check your outdoor play equipment. Make sure everything is still safe. Repair or replace anything that’s damaged or possibly hazardous and make sure that the structure is still sturdy and strong
Protect your home against unwanted guests. Yes, unfortunately sometimes critters decide that your house is the place to be. From snakes to squirrels, take steps to close off your home to non-pet animals
Get your tree branches trimmed back so they don’t create a highway for squirrels – a squirrel-way if you will – to your attic. Branches should be at least 8 feet from your roof
Make sure your outdoor trash bins are tightly sealed to prevent a buffet for pests
Do away with yard debris. Leaves and twigs are a haven for animals that might decide to invade your home
Tend to your lawn frequently by mowing
Clean out the gutters and downspouts. You should clean the gutters at least once a year, perhaps twice if you have a lot of trees around your home
Inspect the caulking around the windows and doors of your home. You can keep ants and bugs at bay in the kitchen by adding fresh caulking to your windows and doors
Consider having your driveway and walkway pressure washed
Repair cracks or holes in your driveway and front steps
Trim bushes and plants. Pay special attention to the area around the AC unit
Touch up the paint on the outside of your home
Check over your fence. Have it repainted, resealed, or repaired as needed
Look at the outside of your house. Check for rotted, dirty, or loose siding
Consider getting your roof inspected. It’s important to properly maintain your roof to make sure that it can last as long as possible
So, there you have it – our summer home maintenance tips. These tips will help you clean up and take care of your home this summer. If you’ve got some time over the summer, tend to your home!
The best way to preserve and maintain your home’s value is with regular and consistent maintenance. So take care of problems BEFORE they become problems. If you have any questions, please give Absolute Insurance Brokers a call at 1-877-941-2266 or email us.
