Everyone is looking forward to summer. However, just because it’s getting warmer outside does not mean you can forget about home maintenance. Preparing for summer means preparing your home for some of the changes that will be coming. With that in mind, below is a home maintenance checklist for summer’s warm weather.
Test and Service Your Air Conditioner
Something you are likely to need during the summer is air conditioning. To get ready for the dog days of summer, ensure that your air conditioner is operating properly. Proper maintenance should also be performed such as installing new air filters and cleaning coils. Doing so will extend the life of your system with less need for air conditioning repair.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Something that absolutely must be done long before summer is cleaning all the leaves, dirt, gunk, and grime out of all your gutters and downspouts. If these gutters and downspouts get clogged, water could be redirected to inside your home where it will do massive damage.
Check Windows and Doors for Leaks
During the hot summer, you want your air conditioning system running as efficiently as possible. However, this will not be the case if you have significant leaks around windows and doors. Find these leaks and repair them through the use of things like caulk and weather stripping. The U.S. Department of Energy also suggests having a blower door test performed.
Inspect Your Foundation
Each year before summer, closely inspect your foundation. Look for cracks or leaks. These can allow water into your home where it can do a lot of damage. A failing foundation can also put the entire structure at risk. A poor foundation is a major problem best discovered early.
Reseal and Clean Your Deck or Patio
Something that will likely get a lot of use during the summer is your deck or patio. However, without proper maintenance, your deck or patio may end up lasting a lot shorter than you thought it would. Each year, you should wash each piece of wood on your deck. You should also consider re-sealing your deck or patio every few years. Doing so will help prevent the wood from cracking or splitting. This will allow it to last much longer than it would otherwise.
Summer is a time to have fun and relax. However, don’t ignore your home’s need for routine maintenance. Performing these maintenance tasks early will help you prevent problems and frustration later on.
