Behind every gorgeous, well-kept home is a homeowner that works very hard to keep it that way. A lot of responsibility comes with being a homeowner, and one is maintaining your home for each season to come. Take advantage of the summer sunshine and get to work on this Summer Maintenance checklist, but make sure to get it done before the weather gets extra greuling.
- Easy Maintenance. (30 min or less)
- Window Treatment. Invest in sun-blocking window covers and a new screen in order to be energy-efficient and hygienic. You'll reduce costs while keeping out pesky bugs and dirt! Clean the exterior glass of debris and smudges.
- Clean Sink Disposal. An unattended kitchen disposal can become smelly and clogged. If your disposal has a baffle, clean-up is easy. Simply take it out and wash out the food buildup. Otherwise, try freezing vinegar ice cubes and running them down the disposal to keep things smelling fresh!
- Test House Alarms. This is a quick step as you can usually just push the test button on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm and listen for the alarm. If you don't hear anything, replace the batteries.
- Vacuum the Vents. Your vents easily fill with dust and debris. An easy way to tell if yours is is the noise. If it's noisy and sputters, you probably have some built up debris and it needs a quick cleaning. Remove the coverings on your vents and vacuum out the dust. Your vents will work much better. - Hour-Long Projects. (1+ hours)
- Check for leaky pipes. Leaky pipes with break the bank. They hike up your water bill, ruin your lawn, and cause mold and mildew in your house. Feel your walls for wetness, check your water pressure, and moniter your water bill. Any suspicious signs could mean a leak.
- Inspect the Air Conditioners. There's nothing worse than a 100-degree day without AC, and the days are only getting hotter. If you have central air, the rule of thumb is to have the AC unit inspected by a professional once a year to keep the frigid air blowing.
- Check your roof. Weather, wind and everyday wear and tear can hurt your roof. Check for missing shingles or mold or anything that might hurt your home's head. Better to make small repairs every summer than spend thousands of dollars to replace the whole roof. - The Tough Tasks. (A day or longer)
- Restore the Deck and Patio. They can take a beating during hurricane season, so you want to make sure they're strong and in good shape for the upcoming months. You can also paint and give it a good scrub and power wash in order to be ready for those summertime barbecues.
- Landscaping. An overgrown lawn can lead to animal and bug infestations, choke out existing plants and reduce curb appeal. Since your yard will most likely be thriving from the Spring months, make sure you cut it back, and take advantage of the early mornings or cooler evenings so you don't fry in the sun.
- Check exterior paint and siding. Peeling paint and chipped siding can let in bugs and weather. Algae and mildew can also show up if you live in a humid climate. Do a lap around the house and check for problem areas. By painting, cleaning and repairing issues now, you can avoid the killer expense of replacing your home's siding.
- Clean your gutters. Standing water and leaf build up is the ultimate no-no. In the short term, unclean gutters can attract mosquitoes and other pests.
Summer in Florida can be extremely hot and hard to deal with. You'll want to get ahead of these chores as the hotter months are on their way to you. Get your pool ready for those pool days, and make sure your AC is in check - as this will be the most important factor.
Related Resources:
Winter Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall Maintenance Checklist
