Simple projects completed over the summer prevent problems year-round. The season is in full swing, so take advantage of the warmer weather to take care of your home. Whether you’re planning to sell or want to keep your property in excellent condition, use these tips for summer home maintenance and upkeep.
Summer Home Maintenance: Tend to the Landscaping
Maintain your lawn. It’s easy to forget about the yard when you’re not home, but it can get overgrown or dry out quickly in the summer. When on an extended vacation, schedule a lawn care professional.
In garden beds, mulch and compost help maintain the soil, while regular lawn mowing keeps weeds under control and helps your grass grow.
Prune plants and trees. Keep an eye out for any dead branches on trees or shrubs; they may harm your home or vehicles. It’s better to take care of them before a summer storm causes a branch to break and impact your home.
Invest in Better Insulation
It can be challenging to keep your house cool in summer, especially for an older home. Install new materials in the attic if the insulation has shifted or is damaged.
Many homes have windows that aren’t airtight. As a result, they leak heat or cold air depending on the season. New windows are better insulated and improve security. Upgrading the windows will help keep your house cool during hot summer days while saving money on energy costs throughout the year.
Summer Home Maintenance: Inspect the Roof
When you’re inspecting the roof, look for missing shingles or tiles. If you notice damaged or missing materials, replace them immediately, as water leaks can cause significant damage to the interior of your home. Check the flashing to verify it’s not rusting, missing, or broken.
Water damage inside your home can lead to mold growth if left untreated. It’s important to make sure the roof is in good condition to protect your family and your investment.
Replace the HVAC Filters
Changing the HVAC filters is an easy and inexpensive way to clean your air. Filters become clogged with dust, mold, pet dander, and pollen. Clogged filters stress the entire HVAC system, as air cannot flow freely.
Replace the filters every 30 to 90 days, as the manufacturer recommends. If you live in a home with pets or have family members who suffer from allergies, replace the filter more frequently for best results.
Pressure-Wash Exterior Surfaces
Pressure washers are not just for your driveway. You can use them to clean your home’s exterior, too. If you don’t own a pressure washer, rent one. Clean the siding, backyard deck, walkways, and front porch. Take time to familiarize yourself with the machine’s settings. Too much pressure can damage the siding and even break the glass in your windows.
Prevent Issues with Regular Maintenance
Tackling small projects can prevent big problems from happening in the future. Don’t overlook simple tasks like cleaning the gutters and changing the HVAC filters. Create a checklist to keep up with your summer home maintenance routine.
Mn Pro Home Inspections provides home inspection services for the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. Contact us to book our services.