When summer finally rolls around after a cold winter, there’s nothing like the feeling of that first warm, sunny day. Don’t head straight into relaxation mode, though. To get ready for summer, there are some home maintenance tasks you’ll want to tackle.
Not sure where to start? Use these seven great steps to make your summer home maintenance a total breeze.
After months without use, your A/C could probably use a checkup before the summer heat arrives in full force. You don’t want your air conditioner to fail on the hottest day of the year and leave you waiting an extended period for it to get fixed. Head off any potential problems by getting your cooling system serviced ahead of time. A/C maintenance can help your system last longer and prevent fires, too.
You most likely packed away all your outdoor furniture for the winter so now’s the time to bring it all back out and give it a wipe down. Before you’re ready to spend some time hanging out outside, do some cleaning and maintenance of your deck or patio. A power washer is a perfect tool to make washing down your outdoor sitting areas quick and easy.
When you’re sitting outside on your newly cleaned patio or deck this summer, you don’t want to look up and see filthy windows. Washing the exterior windows of your home can give your whole house a beautiful, shiny appearance and allow more natural sunlight to brighten the interior. To do it yourself, you’ll need a safe, sturdy ladder, hose, cleaning product, and squeegee. Hiring a professional window washing team can save you the time and effort though, without breaking the bank or risking a fall.
What’s better than a great summer barbeque? To get ready for summer grilling, make sure your grill is completely clean and good to go. Gas grill owners should check to make sure they have enough propane (including a backup tank) and that everything is in working order. Similarly, for those with a charcoal grill, it’s important to make sure you have enough extra charcoal on hand. Buying charcoal on a holiday weekend like Memorial Day will be a nightmare so prepare ahead of time!
One summer maintenance task that’s easy to forget is checking your gutters. The harsh weather over the winter can damage the gutters and they can also fill up with leaves and debris. If your gutters are clogged or damaged when summer rain starts pouring down, you could quickly find yourself with a water problem in your house. Avoid these problems by giving your gutters a quick check.
The same principle that says you should check your A/C at the start of the summer says you should check your refrigerator and freezer, too. After all, these appliances will be under more stress during the warmer weather and are more likely to break down. Have a professional come in to do a quick checkup and make sure everything’s ready to go for the whole summer. Or, if you know your way around appliances, go ahead and check them out yourself.
The outside of your windows isn’t the only part that gets dirty. If you want to enjoy a nice summer breeze, it’s a good idea to wipe down the window sills, shutters, and window screens to get rid of any dust and dirt. The right cleaner will cut through the grime and leave you with sparkling windows in no time.
You don’t have to dread this year’s summer home maintenance. Try these tips to make it simpler than ever and then you can enjoy the summer months!