Summer Maintenance
Summer is the season of enjoying your home, spending time outdoors, and recharging for the months ahead. However, during the summer, because the weather is nice, you are able to get a lot of chores and maintenance done on your home.
Below is a list of standard maintenance projects to consider in the summer months.
Garden Cleanup
By summer, you and your mower are best friends. Be sure to cut your grass regularly and perform maintenance checks on your lawn mower. This is also the perfect time to dig up weeds, and deadhead flowers, and replace your garden beds’ woodchips, mulch, and soil.
Clearing your lawn of debris, keeping up with watering, and replacing any old lawn ornaments will make your garden and home look warm and welcoming and save you time in the fall!
Sprinklers
Once spring showers come to an end, your plants will need extra water. This is where your sprinklers come in hand. Check your system to ensure everything is running smoothly.
- Turn on your sprinklers manually, one station at a time.
- Walk around your yard and check to make sure your sprinkler heads are upright.
- Look for clogs and clean the valves out with water from your hose. Any leaky valves that you find, make note of them as they may need to be replaced.
- Make sure the spray from the sprinkler is wise enough and not blocked by any foliage. If your sprinkler heads are blocked, then it’s time to prune plants or adjust the flow on your valve.
- Check your timers, and set them accordingly.
- If you do notice any leaks, pooling water or low pressure, it could be a sign that the underground pipes are cracked, if this does occur please contact a plumber.
Pool
Summertime means your pool is open and running! Do your best to keep your pool clean by making a schedule and following it. Skim the surface frequently to keep any leaves and debris out of the water.
Scrub the sides once or twice a month to keep algae growth under control. You may also want to check the filter basket and chemical levels weekly.
Ceiling Fans
Reverse the setting on your ceiling fans counterclockwise. This will push the air down to create a nice, constant breeze. To make the change, shut off the fan and wait for the blades to come to a complete stop. Once everything is still, use a ladder or step stool to locate the direction switch, this is usually on the side of the fan right above the blades. Flip the switch in the opposite direction and then turn the fan back on.
While making this change, it’s best to dust the tops of the blades as well.
Air-Conditioning
Performing regular A/C maintenance can extend the life of your unit and may even reduce the need for costly A/C repairs.
Whether you have a central air-conditioner or a window unit, you should clean your filters at least once a month, particularly if you have been running your A/C a lot.
Gutters and Downspouts
Ensure that you clear out any debris from your gutters that may have accumulated over the previous months. This will allow for better flow and drainage.
Summer storms and high winds may also contribute to debris collection in your gutters. It is best to check your gutters once a month.
Windows and Screens
Check your windows for any cracks and leaks. If you find a leak, recaulk the seals immediately. This will also increase your home’s energy efficiency.
Washing your exterior windows and screens will give your home a squeaky clean feeling. Remove your window screens and gently scrub them with hot soapy water, let them dry in the sun. If your screens are filthy to the point where soap and water won’t clean them, you may want to replace them!
Clean Baseboards
Baseboards are often overlooked when it comes to cleaning. It can be tough to muster up the energy to get on your hands and knees and clean your baseboards but it is definitely something you want to do at a minimum twice a year.
This will keep the dust and dirt from building up and make your home cleaner. All you need is a damp cloth, a little pressure, and some soap to clean up the trim around your home.
Dryer Vent and Exhaust Duct
Without regular maintenance, clogged lint and dust in your dryer vents could cause a house fire.
Refill Cracks
Concrete is strong, but it can easily be damaged by standing water and freezing water that seeps through the cracks.
Summer’s mild weather means it’s also the ideal tie to take on the task of filling in your driveway and walkway cracks.