Maintaining Your Home in the Summer

Maintaining your home in the summer is essential to preventing issues from arising down the line and preserving your foundation. Summer is among us, but it is not too late to jump right into your summer home maintenance projects to help avoid future issues from arising. A guide on what you can do to enjoy the interior and exterior of your home while the weather is still warm is helpful.

Maintaining Your Home

Here are the top tasks to help prepare your home this summer.

Power Washing 

A great starting place with summer home maintenance is to assess and clean your high-traffic spaces such as your sidewalks, deck, patio, and driveway. A pressure washer can help with cleaning these areas. Before washing, it is wise to inspect these areas for any cracks and weeds. You will want to tend to those issues first to adequately wash away all the accumulated dirt, mold, and grime. You may also rent a pressure washer from a home improvement store if you don’t own one.

Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts

It is crucial to clean your roof, gutters, and downspouts. A dingy roof is not only an unpleasant sight, whether it be stains, moss, or bacteria. It can also bring a wide variety of other household issues and even shorten the lifespan of your home. 

Window Care 

It is essential to help keep the exterior of your windows clean and your window screens. You can remove the screens and rub them with hot, soapy water. If your screens are so extremely filthy, it is best to replace them. Check your window and door seals. They should be tight and function properly to conserve the cool air from your air conditioning. 

Keep the Bugs at Bay 

Since warmer weather might make you crave more time outside, maintain the yard in such a way that will help keep the number of insects down. It could be simply by keeping things tidier or using a bug spray around the perimeter of your house and yard (be cautious of its exposure to pets and children). Also, consider caulking windows and doors to help prevent bugs from entering your home.

Tend to Your Yard

You can help keep your grass and trees looking fresh by removing all dead parts from trees or plants and doing some weeding. Laying mulch in your flower beds is another great way to keep weeds away so your plants can retain moisture. 

Examine Your (Indoor) Hoses

Inspect the hoses to your washer. Additionally, do this with the dehumidifier, dishwasher, ice maker, toilets, and refrigerator for any signs of wear. You do not want to catch a tear after it has caused a more significant issue. Typically these hoses will need to be replaced once every 3-5 years but check for any signs of leaking regularly.

Test Safety Detectors

You will want to replace old batteries and check that all the sensors are in good condition with all alarms and timers in place. Also, ensure you secure homeowners insurance that covers your unique needs to protect your home appropriately. 

Clean the Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher

It is best to clean your garbage disposal and dishwasher about once a month. Clean the garbage disposal by flushing it with hot water and dish soap. Cleanse the dishwasher by adding 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the machine and running it on low. 

Reverse Ceiling Fans

You can reverse how your ceiling fan spins every summer to spin counter-clockwise so that the air is pushed straight down for a stronger breeze. When the fan is off and at a complete stop, use a ladder to find the direction switch. You might as well dust the blades while you are up there too. 

Perform Washing Machine Maintenance

Your washing machine also requires some maintenance every once in a while. It is wise to inspect the seal between the door opening and the drum for areas of soil buildup and clean it with a mixture of ¾ cup of chlorine bleach and a gallon of warm water. Then wipe down with bleach and water solution and allow that to sit for about 5 minutes, drying it with a clean cloth. It will avoid getting dirt deposits on your clothes! 

Clean Baseboards

Clean your baseboards at least once a year to keep dust and dirt from building up. Do it once a year, at the very least, when deep cleaning your home. Cleaning up the trim around your home may sound tedious, but you only need a damp cloth and a little patience, and it will be worth it.  

About David G. Sayles Insurance Services

At David G. Sayles Insurance Services, we help our clients decide which of these options is best for them based on their current situation and risk factors. Contact us at 1-855-977-1842 or insureme@dsayles.mysites.io for a consultation!