Summer Home Maintenance Checklist: 5 Things To Do Around The House
Summer is the perfect time to take care of some house maintenance. This summer home maintenance checklist will help you get started on your summer maintenance tasks.
1. Make repairs and fixes around the outside of your house
As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to focus on your home’s exterior. It’s easy to forget about things like fixing fences and painting. Most only realise once they start seeing cracks in the paint or once their fence is leaning precariously into their neighbor’s yard. With a little time and some basic tools, you can repair and make minor fixes around your home’s exterior. As a result, it stays safe and beautiful for years to come.
The next step in your spring cleaning is to inspect your yard. By doing this, you’re making sure that anything that may not be safe or could cause accidents is fixed. Check for pavers that have shifted and need to be reset. This will prevent tripping hazards and make your yard safer for everyone.
2. Look at the condition of your roof
Roofs are an important aspect of the home, and they need to be inspected regularly. This can be done by using binoculars or even the zoom feature of your smartphone’s camera to stay on the ground for this inspection.
If you’re like most people, then you’ve probably never really looked at your roof. Sure, you know it’s there and what it does for your home, but how much thought have you put into its condition?
A roof can last for decades if it’s properly maintained, yet so many homeowners neglect their roofs, which leads to leaks and other problems down the road.
If you want to make sure that your roof is in good condition, here are some things to look for:
-Look for discoloration on the shingles. If the color has faded or changed dramatically in just a few years, there may be a problem with the shingles themselves or with the sealant around them. Either way, a new roof might be in order!
-Check for leaks around vents and other openings by placing water around them and seeing if any drips through. If they do leak, they need to get fixed right away before they cause more serious damage.
If you have any doubts about the condition of your roof contact a roofing professional or home inspector for help.
3. Inspect weather-stripping, caulking and vents
It’s easy to forget about these important fixes, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. If your windows and doors aren’t properly sealed, it can cause all kinds of problems: energy loss, drafts, and even mold.
Inspect weather-stripping and caulking around doors, windows and other openings. Weather-stripping should be in good condition and not torn or warped.
Check the seal between the door and the frame to make sure air isn’t leaking through.
Inspect window frames for cracks that let cold air into your home. If your window frames are cracked, replace them with new ones that are made of vinyl or aluminum instead of wood.
Be sure to check your outside vents at the same time. It is important for your home’s energy efficiency that these areas be in good condition.
Notice any areas that need repair? Contact a professional to have them taken care of before winter sets in.
4. Clean your central air conditioner
The outdoor unit of your central air conditioner should be professionally cleaned at the start of every season. Many think that cleaning the indoor unit is enough but if you don’t clean the outdoor unit, you’ll end up paying more in energy costs and repairs. Over time, the dirt that collects on the outside of your AC, can cause additional stress on your system.
The first thing you’ll want to do is use a hose or pressure washer to clean the exterior of your central air conditioner’s outdoor unit.
Once you’ve cleaned the outside turn off power to the unit and open it up. You may need an assistant’s help with this, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking at. Once inside, inspect all parts of the unit for mold or mildew and remove them with a scrub brush or vacuum cleaner attachment. Make sure that everything is dry before turning power back on!
5. Being proactive about home maintenance is the best way to avoid bigger headaches in the future.
Lastly, If you’re looking to sell your house, it will be easier to do so with a few small repairs in place. And if you want to save money every month on future repairs, it’s important to keep up with these small maintenance tasks. If you follow this summer home maintenance checklist, then your home should be in good shape by the end of summer.