Summer Home Maintenance Checklist To Do Now

Memorial Day Weekend is coming up, and for most of us, that signals the start to summer. But before we can enjoy long days lounging by the pool, or backyard BBQs, we must get our home ready. There are things you should do to maintain your home throughout the year, and summer is no exception. Here is a complete summer home maintenance checklist to do now so that you can enjoy the warmer, longer days ahead.

Reverse Ceiling Fans (counterclockwise)

Why Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction? Your ceiling fan is designed to run clockwise in winter, and counterclockwise in summer. For summer, the counterclockwise direction creates a downdraft, which sends cool air down and about the room.

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Inspect For Insect Activity

Warmer weather brings the bugs out of hibernation (or diapause, where their metabolism slows and they stay inactive). Because they are awake and active, this is the time to inspect your home for any infestations that you can address now. Many insects not only are a nuisance, but can cause damage to your home, especially termites.

Inspect Basement / Crawl Space For Moisture Or Pests

Moisture and pests can go hand in hand. Many pests thrive in moist, dark environments, like a basement or crawl space. Inspect these areas to identify moisture issues and make repairs. This not only prevents the pests from entering and taking up residence, but also prevents mold growth too.

Inspect Roof, Gutters & Downspouts

Spring is especially hard on these parts of your home. With all of the rain and trees dropping their seed pods, your gutters quickly fill up and clog. Perform a thorough inspection of your gutters and downspouts. Clean them if needed and make necessary repairs.

It’s equally important to give your roof a good inspection as well. Schedule any repairs that it may need.

Lubricate Garage Door Opener, Chain, Etc.

Your garage door is one of the hardest working components in your home. It goes through a lot of use, which means a lot of metal to metal contact on the springs, tracks, hinges and metal rollers. Specifically made garage door lubricants works the best to keep these parts moving as they should, and to prevent wear and tear. Full tutorial can be found here.

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Clean Lint From Dryer Vent

At least once per year disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and give it a complete cleaning. This removes all of the built up lint, debris and clogs. Try using a shop vac to vacuum out as much as you can reach. Additionally, use a dryer vent cleaning kit. They are available in many lengths to fit the entire run of your vent hose. Hook it up to your drill to spin it and give it a great clean.

Check & Touch Up Exterior Painted Surfaces

Exterior painted surfaces need to be checked on an annual bases. Peeling paint leaves the surface exposed to the elements, which can certainly cause them to break down faster. Sand and repaint any surfaces where the paint is peeling, or has faded.

Related Post: How To Fix Rotted Door Trim Easy

Inspect & Repair Siding and Masonry

Keep the exterior of your home in great shape by inspecting it annually. Make any repairs that are needed. Holes or cracks in your vinyl siding can surely cause a lot of damage if left alone. You can repair holes in your vinyl siding easy, or call in a professional to help.

Perform a visual inspection of all exterior masonry for cracks and damage. Moisture is one of the biggest threats to exterior brick and stone surfaces. Water can seep in through cracks and get in behind, causing a lot of damage. Water can also weaken the structural integrity.

Related Post: How To Fix Holes In Your Vinyl Siding

Prune Trees & Shrubs

There are many trees and shrubs that benefit from pruning them in the summer. They are fast growing in the summer months, and for this reason helps them to bounce back quickly. Pruning not only helps to rejuvenate your shrubs and trees, but also keeps them looking their best by shaping them, or trimming them back for clearance. A mini chainsaw is my favorite way to get this job done fast and easy.

Related Post: Best Mini Chainsaw: It’s Tiny But It’s Mighty

Drain & Flush Out Water Heater Tank

Your water heater is another system in your home that works harder than most. Sediment builds up in your tank and needs to be flushed out. This sediment is made up of minerals and particles from your water supply. They settle at the bottom and clog up the unit. They can also erode the tank causing holes and leaks. Drain your water heater every 6-12 months.

Related Post: How To Drain Your Water Heater

Vacuum Refrigerator & Freezer Coils

Your fridge has to work harder when the coils are clogged and dirty. With this in mind, vacuum them periodically to keep them free from dust, pet hair, and debris. This not only keeps your energy costs down, but helps to lengthen the lifespan of your major appliance.

Clean Kitchen Exhaust Hood & Filter

Grease from cooking, as well as dust and debris can quickly clog up your exhaust hood filter. As well as build up on the exhaust hood itself which can lead to fires.

Grab a good range hood cleaner for the exhaust hood. For the filter, drop them in to a pot of boiling water. Slowly add in some baking soda and boil for 15-20 minutes.

Inspect Kitchen & Bath For Leaks

Check all plumbing, as well as inside and under cabinets, and behind appliances and fixtures for leaks. Even the smallest leak can do major damage if not repaired quickly.

Seal Tile Grout

If you want to protect your grout by every day wear and keep it cleaner, then apply a grout sealer once per year. Sealers prevent the grout from absorbing dirt, stains, mold, bacteria and much more. Be sure to give the grout a good cleaning first.

Inspect Sink, Tub & Shower Caulking

Water that gets behind your tub surround, behind your tile, and especially under your sink can cause a lot of damage over time. Keep these areas water tight by ensuring the caulking is in good shape. Inspect the grout and caulk for cracks and mildew. Remove and replace if needed.

Pick a day to go around your home and preform these 15 tasks. It doesn’t take much time if you keep up with these each year. And it can save you a lot of money by identifying issues that need to be addressed early. Grab your free copy of the complete Home Maintenance Checklist for things to check in fall, winter and spring.