Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home
With summer fast approaching, here are some guidelines on what maintenance projects you should prepare on your home for the summer months.
1. Check your deck. Walk around your deck or patio and check for any hazards such as loose boards or nails that might be sticking out. Take care of them promptly!
2. Check your electrical outlets. Make sure there are no frayed or exposed wires. Check for loose fittings and tighten up. Be sure not to overload outlets or extension cords – this is a fire waiting to happen! Take a look at your fuse or circuit breaker box, and make sure it is free of rust and there are no overloaded circuits.
3. Check windows and doors. Make sure they are all functioning properly. Take a look at your screens for any holes or damage the winter months may have done. Check the locks, and make sure they are tight and working!
4. Take a look at your yard. If you have children, check out the swing set to make sure there are no loose boards or nails sticking out. It goes for any other play equipment or pool.
5. Check the toilet. Not the funnest thing to do on the list, but even worse if you let it go and it needs to be replaced from damage! Make sure it is working properly, and is secured properly. Look for any signs of erosion and check the pipe connections.
6. Clean and replace your furnace filter. Yes, I know it’s summer and chances are you’re not running the heat. You will though eventually, and you don’t want to have to scramble looking for a filter when that first cold night hits. Change your filter now, and you won’t have to worry about it for that first bitter night!
7. Check your washer and dryer. Remove any lint that’s been hanging around under the dryer and in the hoses. Pull out any lost socks that might have disappeared into the unknown area under the washer. Check the hoses to make sure there are no leaks, and working properly.
8. Take a look at your roof. If there are any signs of damage, it’s a better time to repair in the summer than when snow is flying. Look for loose or missing shingles, and hire someone to come out and repair them promptly. Water leaking into your home can cause a lot of damage if left alone.
The home is the biggest investment most people make in their lifetime. Don’t let your investment go to waste. Ensure the value of it by routinely performing small maintenance tasks before they get too big and get out of hand. Not only will it be more time consuming, but also it will cost a whole lot more!
