Custom home builders give summer maintenance tips

Summer is upon us, and the season of living outside has begun.

Whether you’re planning laid-back barbeques, family gatherings, or some competitive games of backyard croquet, the summer season is a time to gather, make memories, and slow the pace of life.

Keep everyone who visits your summer sanctuary safe and happy by ticking off the items on this summer home maintenance checklist now.

Get ready to enjoy the best season of the year with these summer home tips:

1. INSPECT YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR

It was a long winter, and it’s time to inspect your home’s exterior for things that could put it at risk in the future. This includes rotted or loose siding, mold or mildew, and moss growth.

Once you’ve inspected the siding, power wash the home’s exterior surfaces to remove dirt, dust, sap, and anything else that could damage your siding or paint job. If you notice weak spots in the siding, contact a professional service company to help repair the damage. If there are spots of chipped or cracked paint, touch them up before summer gets into full swing.

2. WASH YOUR HOME’S WINDOWS

Your home’s windows provide your view out into the world and let light into your living space.

As such, it’s important they look their best. Get ready for summer by washing windows inside and out. For best results, combine one part of water and use a squeegee to produce a streak-free shine.  

If you don’t want to do the chore on your own, they will often perform the task for you.

While you’re at it, clean or replace your home’s window screens to keep bugs out and let light in.

3. CHECK YOUR WINDOW SEALS

Give your air conditioner a boost this summer by checking the seals around windows and doors now.

Faulty or worn-out seals make your home less efficient and can contribute to a significant spike in your cooling bills this summer. If you spot places where the seals are weak or damaged, replace weather-stripping or re-caulk the area immediately.

4. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

Summer storms can leave debris in your gutters, which make it harder for them to direct moisture away from your home. Protect your home from flooding, mold, and mildew by cleaning your gutters and downspouts.

The best way to clean out your gutters is to start near a downspout and remove leaves and dirt along the length of the gutter line. Once you’re finished, rinse them with water to make sure you didn’t miss any blockages.

5. REVERSE YOUR CEILING FANS

Here’s a simple cooling hack for the summer months: reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. When a fan spins counter-clockwise, it pushes air directly down, which creates a gentle breeze and helps reduce your need for air conditioning.

To do this, turn off your fans and wait for them to come to a complete stop. Using a step ladder, locate the direction switch on the fan, which is often on the side of the fan, up above the blades. Flip it in the opposite direction and turn the fan back on.

6. CLEAN YOUR AC’S FILTER

Start the summer off on the right foot by cleaning your air conditioner’s air filter.

Over time, your AC’s filters can get clogged and dirty, which blocks airflow and reduces the system’s efficiency. When you clean the filter (which Energy.gov recommends you do every two weeks during peak season), you can lower the unit’s energy consumption by about 5% to 15%.

To clean the filter, remove it from the unit, wash it with warm water and wait for it to dry completely before replacing it. You can also hire a professional to service the unit. In addition to cleaning your filter, they’ll check the system’s refrigerant units, test for leaks (if left unattended), and reset the thermostat, if needed.

7. INSPECT FENCING

Keep your kids and pets safe and your privacy intact by inspecting and repairing your property’s fencing. Look for places where reinforcement, re-staining, or sealing is needed, and fix any boards that are rotted or broken. If you’re considering adding or replacing your fence, contact contractors now because they’ll book up quickly as the summer goes on.

ENJOY YOUR HOME MORE THIS SUMMER

Your home is your sanctuary, and these seven summer home maintenance checklist items will keep it looking great and functioning well all summer long. Need help knocking items off the list? 

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