The Ultimate Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Days are getting longer, and nights are getting shorter –which means sweet summertime is here! Whether you’re ready for popsicles and pool days or prefer hunkering down inside with the air conditioning cranked, first it’s time to make sure your home is prepared so you and your loved ones can enjoy a safe and relaxing summer season. We’ve put together a summer home maintenance checklist to guide you.
1. Change Your Air Conditioning Filter and Have Your System Inspected
The start of summer is a great time to change your HVAC filter and have your system inspected and serviced. Doing so will ensure your HVAC system is ready to steadily endure the hot temperatures of summer. Clogged air filters can unnecessarily increase your energy bills, so be sure to change those regularly according to your service person’s recommendations.
2. Clean and Inspect Ceiling Fans
To get the most out of the fans in your house, they need to be clean. Spread a drop cloth or old sheets on the floor below and remove loose dust with a microfiber cloth or duster. Another efficient way to clean fans is to take an old pillowcase and slide it over each of the blades to remove the dirt.
Make sure the blades of the fan are spinning counterclockwise to push cool air down and throughout your home.
3. Deep Clean Your Grill
Get your grill ready for dinners outside and backyard barbecues by taking time to give it a thorough cleaning. Grills work more efficiently when properly cleaned.
If you have a gas grill, check the fuel line for any cracks or other damage. Clean out any clogged burner holes. Use a grill brush to clean the grates and interior, and wash the exterior with hot, soapy water.
4. Keep Mosquitoes at Bay
Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed. Old tires are one of the first things that often come to mind as being a culprit for mosquito breeding grounds in a backyard, but even an amount of water as small as a bottle cap on your property can provide enough of a habitat for mosquitoes to thrive.
To keep mosquitoes to a minimum so you can enjoy your outdoor space, walk around your property twice a week to look for any water that has accumulated and dump it out. Think children’s toys, patio furniture, plant pots, and so forth.
5. Prepare Your Porch and/or Deck
If you’re lucky enough to have a sprawling front porch or a patio or deck of any size, get it ready for summertime by cleaning it up. Clean your front door and the porch floor. Put out a fresh welcome mat and potted flowers or other plants. Clean your porch furniture and wash any cushions.
Decks and any other exterior wood surfaces need to be inspected for signs of rotting. You should also look for any deteriorated finishes to preserve the wood. Give the deck a good washing with a pressure washer or hire a professional service. If the deck still needs help after that, it may need to be stained. When applying the stain, be sure to be out of direct sunlight.
6. Test Irrigation Systems
Sprinklers and garden hoses with leaks or blockages can create headaches and bigger problems for your yard. Be sure to test the hoses, sprinklers, and whatever irrigation system you have at your property at the start of the summer. It is a good idea to check for any leaks again before leaving on any extended trips.
7. Clean the Gutters
Your home’s gutters may have become clogged with twigs, leaves, dirt, and other debris during the spring months, making the start of summer an effective time to clean them. Removing any blockages will ensure water can safely flow without causing damage during storms.
Hire a professional to inspect and clean your gutters to eliminate any safety concerns. Home One Services will do this for you, as well as install gutter guards or strainers if you like. Home One Services is also available to replace any damaged gutters or downspouts.
Get Expert Help from a Trusted Handyman in Lancaster, PA
If reading or completing this checklist has you thinking of finding quality carpenters for adding a new deck or outdoor area, redoing the garage, or any number of projects on the wish list, reach out to Home One Services. The sooner that work is done, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy it!
If you’re a resident of Lancaster, PA in need of a handyman to help you or a loved one complete the items on this summer maintenance checklist, the Home One Services Home One TUNE-UP is designed to save you time and money. We believe every house will benefit from a Home One TUNE-UP, because as the saying goes: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Much like your vehicle undergoes an inspection once a year to ensure everything is working optimally, your home needs similar care. Click here for a list of what a Home One TUNE-UP includes. Paying attention to your house will ensure it continues to serve you and your family well, operating safely and efficiently. Plenty of people don’t have the time or know-how to properly care for their house, and our handyman services are a comprehensive solution. Having a Home One TUNE-UP performed on your house can prevent large home repair bills down the road.
Call Home One at 717-581-3474 or contact us online to learn more about our annual and biannual TUNE-UP plans and supplementary services.
