Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Ah, summer is here! Yes, that means more beach days, pool days, and vacation days. But summer is also a great time to perform some maintenance tasks on the home that will save you potential headaches, money, and energy down the road. 

Summer Home Maintenace Checklist

Air Conditioner Maintenance. 

Now that the summer heat is coming for us, it's a great time to do some maintenance on the A/C unit. There are a couple of things that can help make sure you stay cool this summer. First, check and see if it's time to change the filter. As a general rule, it should be changed every 2-3 months. This will help in several ways. You'll have cleaner air providing seasonal allergy relief and it will help your A/C to run more efficiently. Second, check outside around the unit and make sure there's no brush overgrowth blocking off airflow. This can cause overheating issues and even a fire – so make sure there are at least two feet of clearance around the unit. Third, clean your air conditioner drain line with vinegar. This will prevent a build-up and save you the headache of dealing with overflow and water damage issues. Ideally, this should be done monthly but seasonally is better than nothing! If you start to crank your A/C and notice any strange sounds or it's not blowing cool air, it's time to call in the pros to have it serviced. Tip: Ask them to service the heating unit at the same time so you're ahead on the fall checklist! 

Wash Your Windows.  

Probably one of the most overlooked chores on our to-do list is washing the windows and inspecting the screens, but there are important reasons for doing it! First, it boosts curb appeal. Whether or not you're looking to sell your home you want it to look its best, and washing the windows gives it a crisp, clean look, especially with the pollen coating everything in the spring. You'll appreciate the clear views from inside the house too! Cleaning will also help prevent discoloration and the quality from degrading over time. This also provides the perfect time to inspect them for any mold or leaks that might cause issues down the road.  

Drain Your Water Heater. 

Over time, naturally occurring minerals in the water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, can settle in the bottom of the tank. This sediment buildup can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater. It can also plug the drain and interfere with ongoing maintenance, leading to early failure. Draining a water heater to remove sediments is an easy DIY that takes very little time and just a few basic tools. This goes without saying but the water that comes out of the hose will be extremely hot, so be careful.

Clean Out Your Gutters & Downspouts. 

Summer brings along with it the hurricane season and an increase of heavy rainstorms. The efficiency of gutters depends on the free flow of rainwater down and away from your roof and home. If you've got any kind of clog – think pine needles, leaves, bird nests, etc. – this can cause overflow and water damage. You'll want to do this seasonally, but especially so in summer with the increase of storm activity. 

Switch the Spin Direction of Your Ceiling Fans.

This is a simple way to get the most out of your ceiling fan. The ceiling fan direction in summer should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room. How do you change the ceiling fan direction? It’s easy whether you use the ceiling fan switch, push-button control on the fan remote, or use voice commands with your smart fans.

Have Your Dryer Vent & Exhaust Duct Cleaned.

Clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if not properly maintained. Consider having a professional come out and clean out your vents and ducts. It's going to save you in energy and maintenance costs, and potentially save you from a fire as lint is a highly flammable material. If you're having issues with clothes taking longer to dry, clothes and the dryer getting very hot, a burning smell on the clothes, or the presence of debris around the dryer hose, then you may want to consider this service and maintenance. Depending on how large your family is, if you have pets, and what kind of laundry you do, you may want to have this done seasonally or biannually.     

Additional Home To-Do List This Summer

• Touch up the paint on the outside of your home.

• Powerwash the driveway and walkways.

• Give your grill a deep clean.

• Repair cracks in your driveway.

• Check your playground equipment. Make sure there are no hazards or needed repairs.

• Get your chimney cleaned. Since it's the slow season for this service, they won't be as busy! 

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order.

• Add a layer of mulch to your flower and plant beds. This will help fight off weeds and help retain soil moisture in the scorching summer months.

Are there any home maintenance tasks you like to tackle in the summer months? Leave a comment and let us know!

 

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