Summer Maintenance Tips

Summer Maintenance Tips

Summer Maintenance Tips

Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is time to start planning your summer maintenance checklist! It is important to remember to do pre-summer maintenance to keep your home in top-notch shape. We created a list of outdoor and indoor projects for you to work on this spring so that you can enjoy your home during the summer months.

Outside

Image of deck outside.

Power Wash

A great first step in your summer home maintenance is to power wash the outside of your property, including your sidewalks, deck, patio, and driveway. A pressure washer is the best option when cleaning these areas because it is able to get in all the nooks and crannies to ensure a deep clean. If you do not own your own pressure washer, your local home improvement stores usually have them for rent at an inexpensive price.

Image of power washing windows outside.

Wash Windows and Screens

When you are washing your outside windows, be sure to wash your window screens as well. Remove the screens from the windows and wash them down with hot, soapy water. While you are cleaning your windows and screens, check to make sure they are tightly sealed to conserve the air conditioning inside your house.

Image of roof featuring gutters.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Take some time in the spring months to clean out your gutters and downspouts. This can add to the overall aesthetic of your home as well as extend the lifespan of your gutters and downspouts. Consider "soft-washing" your gutters and downspouts, which is less damaging to these structures compared to traditional pressure washing. "Soft-washing" is simply replacing the nozzle of a traditional pressure washer with a wider nozzle to widen the spray of the water.

Image beautiful outside decor.

Beautify Your Yard

A great project to add to your summer maintenance checklist is to modify and beautify your front yard. Start by removing all weeds and dead plants from your yard, as well as trimming any overgrown trees. Put down some new mulch in your flower beds and plant some new flowers for added color. New landscaping is a great way to add curb appeal to your yard, especially if you plan on selling in the near future.

Image of grill.

Prep Your Grill

If you are the type of person who spends much of their time in the summer grilling your favorite foods, be sure to prep your grill in the spring so it is ready for the summer. Clean and test your grill to ensure that it is working perfectly. If you have a gas grill, turn the grill on and let it heat for 20-30 minutes, and then scrub the grates with a grill brush. For a charcoal grill, use hot water and soap to scrub the entire grill.

Inside

Image of living room.

Prepare Your Air Conditioner/Cooling System

Before the warm weather officially arrives, make sure to get your air conditioner serviced to help your air conditioner last longer and to prevent fires or other malfunctions from happening. You don't want your air conditioner to burn out halfway through the summer, leaving you without a cooling system. Maintain your cooling system to prevent any future problems.

Image of bedroom featuring a ceiling fain.

Dust All Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are known for collecting dust quickly. Once the weather gets warm, you will want to turn on your ceiling fans to keep you cool. Make sure to dust all ceiling fans, including outdoor ones before you turn your fans on at the start of the summer.

Bonus Tip: Reverse your ceiling fan so that it spins counter-clockwise during the warmer months. This pushes the air straight down to keep you nice and cool.

Image of smoke detector.

Test Smoke Detectors

Spring is the perfect time to do maintenance on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace old batteries to ensure that your detectors are working properly. These devices can save lives and should be maintained twice a year.

Image of cleaning supplies.

Dust Your Home

Dust builds up fast. Make sure to take some time to dust your entire house and give all surfaces a deep clean. A commonly forgotten space in the home that can always use a deep cleaning is the baseboards of your house as well as the top of appliances such as microwaves and refrigerators.

Are you doing some summer maintenance in preparation to sell your home? Looking to buy a new home in the future? Contact AnnieMac Home Mortgage to get your application process started!