Is Your Home Ready for Summer Weather? Get the Checklist!
With freezing temperatures, icy winds, and snowy days, the winter months can be hard on your house. As the ice melts and the days grow warmer and longer, it’s time to capitalize on the milder weather. Before the other extreme of searing heat sets in, follow this checklist to make sure that you and your house are ready for the summer sun!
If you’ve been cooped up inside for months, hiding out from the cold, its likely that your yard will require some work. According to an article by HGTV, some areas of focus for your cleaning, repairing, and beautifying efforts include the driveway, fencing, sprinklers, and grass.
ü Clean! It’s time to break out the soap and water and garden hose. Spring cleaning isn’t just for the indoors so get to work on these key areas:
o Debris-covered driveways
o Dirty walkways
o Mildewy decks
o Cloudy outdoor windows (use this recipe of water, ammonia, and vinegar)
o Patio furniture with removable fabric
ü Repair! Whether you realized it or not, the colder temperatures may have damaged your outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, changing temperatures may cause cracks and gaps that need to be addressed:
o Cracked pipes and broken heads in your sprinkler system
o Leaky, leaf-filled gutters
o Siding affected by winter rot
o Damaged roofing and shingles
ü Beautify! While it’s essential that your outdoor spaces are functional, the curb appeal of your home and landscaping is an ongoing improvement process that begins when the warmer weather arrives. Help your outdoor space to look its best by focusing improvements on:
o Green grass by removing dried leaves and other dead vegetation
o Flower and garden beds to prepare for planting
o Trees and shrubbery with regular pruning and trimming
Perhaps the most important outdoor asset to consider as the weather grows warmer is your cooling equipment. Take time to clean your air-conditioning condenser while checking for any damages such as loose wires.
An article by Good Housekeeping recommends that you should have your central AC system serviced at least once annually. An air conditioning system functioning at the highest level possible can help to keep your energy costs lower. You should also head inside to check the functionality of your thermostat. Good Housekeeping also recommends installation of a smart thermostat that can help to save even more money.
While the summer sun calls for fun, homeownership means outdoor work before the excitement can begin. However, simple steps to clean, repair, and beautify your property can help to protect your long-term investment for years to come.