There is just something very inviting about summer. Whether it be having a family meet up in your backyard, or lying on beach sand to get a tan under the sun, many people look forward to this weather.
As the glistening sun shines down on you and the smell of barbeque fills the atmosphere, many people rush to stores to get new clothes.
As you need to get new outfits to be summer-ready, your home also requires some changes and maintenance to be prepared for the shining sun. Yet, many people stall home-maintenance tasks needed for getting their home ready for the season.
According to research done by Porch.com, 32 percent of homeowners have been putting off at least one home-maintenance task for a year. Surprisingly, as per Home Advisor, the general spending on home improvement has increased by 17 percent.
It tells us that most of this spending is done on decoration and design, and home maintenance is neglected. It is important to give your house a refreshing look from time to time, but you must also actively maintain your house and carry out necessary repairs required as per the changing season.
Here are the essential tasks you need to carry out.
1. Spruce up the exterior of your house via paint touch-ups
Just like you must focus on interior designing, the exterior of your house also needs your attention – especially during the summer when the bright light brings every nook of your home in focus.
People tend to form first impressions about your house, and hence you, based on the first thing they see – the exterior of the house.
Therefore, make sure you create the right impression by sprucing up the outside of your house with paint touch-ups. Match it with the original color of the house, or you can choose to transform it completely to give it a new look.
2. Clean your backyard and house exterior
The chances are you will be spending quite a lot of time in your garden during the season. After all, everyone wishes to soak the sun as much as possible during summertime. Before you do so, you must clean your yard, clip the grass, and find the right furniture.
Also, make a point to clean the exterior of your house. This includes your roof and deck. Whether it be stains or moss, any dust or dirt that accumulates on your home can shorten its lifespan. Before seeking professional help to do so, you can begin by soft-washing it all.
3. Reverse your ceiling fans
Generally, the ceiling fans in your house are programmed to spin clockwise. But, you can easily change its direction for better air circulation.
When the house feels suffocating, and the heat gets to you, your ceiling fan will be your savior. To further improve its performance, flip the switch present above the blades of the ceiling fan to reverse its direction to counter-clockwise.
This will allow the air to be pushed directly downwards, thereby making the room more chill and breezy.
4. Clean and repair your air conditioner
With the arrival of summer, you will need an air conditioner to survive. While the warmth may seem inviting at first, the probability is that you don’t wish to endure it throughout the season.
An essential part of getting your house ready for summer includes cleaning and repairing your air conditioner. Begin by cleaning the filter every two weeks.
Air conditioners are not used during the winter season, and due to prolonged closure, their cooling is affected. So, it might need some maintenance and tune-up when you turn it on in the summer. You can call an AC repair service to come and inspect the system and do the repairs.
For this, you can hire a local service in your area that does AC tune-ups and maintenance. You can search on the internet to find a reliable service in your area.
For example, if you live in Nashville, Tennessee, and you feel like your A/C isn’t performing at its optimum, all you need to do is to run a Google search like A/C tune-ups in Nashville, TN or “A/C repairs in Nashville, TN.” From the results, you can choose a company based on reviews and can call them to come and inspect your AC.
5. Your baseboards require attention too
One of the most overlooked home improvement tasks is cleaning baseboards. But, it is a job that must be done to prevent dust from accumulating.
During winter, the snow causes a lot of accumulation of dirt and mud on the baseboards. So, at the start of summer, you should get it cleaned. Otherwise, it would impact the quality of the boards.
6. Inspect all hoses
Various hoses will come into action during summertime. It includes an icemaker, washer, toilets, dehumidifier, and refrigerator. Trust us; you wouldn’t want any of these hoses to get leakage or wear and tear as soon as the season begins.
Therefore, leading up to summer, inspect them all and replace any old or leaky ones. As a rule of thumb, change each hose after three years.
7. Inspect your basement and attic
Water leakage, mold formation, or indication of pesticide is first found in basements and attics. While this is not necessarily a task solely for the summer, but while you are already giving time to your house, it is a good idea to inspect your basement and attic as well.
Look for any water leakage or broken rooftops. A great way to detect the latter is by turning off the lights and seeing if the daylight still manages to peek in. If there is an indication of insects, you must get your house fumigated.
8. Seal your deck
Your deck will be used a lot during the summer. You wouldn’t want you or your family to get injured due to protruding nails. So, check beforehand if any nails are rusted or are poking out.
If you find any of that, it is a clear sign that the deck needs to be resealed. Another way to detect it is by sprinkling water on the deck. If the water stays on the board, your deck is still well-sealed. If it soaks the water, then you need to seal it again.
Ending Remarks
You should provide your house with the care it deserves, irrespective of the season. But, during the hot days, make sure to do at least these eight tasks mentioned above. Your home will get an extended lifespan, and you will enjoy a comfortable summer.
About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook.
