Summertime! The time of year that?s filled with vacations, sunny days, and poolside fun is here. But if you put in a little effort here and there around the house and check things off your summer to-do list, it?ll pay off big time in the long run.
Exterior, Basement & Foundation
Give your roof a good once-over.
Why: Summer is the ideal time to check your roof for leaks, inspect the vent covers and shingles, shakes, or tiles, and make any repairs or replace it altogether. Sure it?s hot, but that heat is exactly what a roof needs to cure properly.
When: Summer
Who can help: You can inspect it by yourself unless you?re not keen on heights. If you need to repair or replace it, you can find a roofing contractor in your area on Kudzu.com.
Why: Inspecting your windows will tell you a lot of things. For one, you might find separations in your sealants around the glass and around the frame itself. Sealing those up with some caulk or silicon will not only help keep the summer creepy-crawlies out, but it?ll keep the cool in and help you save on your utility bills. Plus, you might find broken glass you didn?t know about or discover that your outdated windows need to be replaced altogether.
When: Summer & Fall
Who can help: Inspecting your windows and sealing them can be done on your own, but hire a window pro to get an expert opinion or to replace your windows.
Why: Sweeping off dust, debris, and cobwebs not only makes your home look nicer, it also protects your siding and paint from unnecessary wear and damage. Taking a hose or power washer to it will remove more stubborn dirt and bird droppings, and it could expose issues with your paint that you didn?t know you needed to address. If you find extra sticky stuff like sap (or egg remnants from the neighborhood prankster), get it off as soon as possible with a good detergent or solvent.
Check your crawlspace or unfinished basement for leaks and critters.
Why: Leaky pipes can cause wood rot, foundation cracks, and high water bills. All that moisture also breeds mold and mildew?terrible for health issues. And if any uninvited pests nestled in but didn?t exactly survive the winter, you need to remove them before they start to stink. Plus, even though they?re not in the land of the living, they can still spread disease.
Why: On the hottest days, even the best air conditioning units can be challenged to keep a home cool. Installing ceiling fans throughout the house helps to circulate the air, which can make 85 degrees feel more like a refreshing 76. And if you make sure your fans go in rooms where you relax?like the living room and bedrooms?you won?t have to make you?re A/C work as hard during your downtime.
When: Summer
Who can help: Installation is typically a do-it-yourself project, but if you?re not comfortable working with electricity, you should hire an electrician.
Get your air conditioner and attic fan inspected and serviced.
Why: Keeping your air conditioner and attic fan properly cleaned and serviced will help them run more efficiently and cool your home better over the summer months. It?s particularly important to clean your A/C?s filters because clogged filters can overwork the unit and lead to overheating and major damage. That?s not cheap to repair or replace. Plus, when you cool your home more efficiently, you spend less on utility bills.
When: Late Spring or Summer
Who can help: It?s best to hire an HVAC pro to service your A/C and attic fan.
Why: Boosting your home?s security is good any time of year, but the summer months tend to be when homeowners are most frequently away on vacation. Having a quality home security system installed will make your home safer whether you?re home or not.
Why: Trimming dead branches and thinning out your trees and bushes will help them grow and stay healthy. Even though the branches are dead, the roots still try to feed them, which takes more energy than necessary. With only healthy branches remaining, your trees and bushes can flourish more easily and last longer throughout the years.
When: Summer & Fall
Who can help: You can do some trimming on your own, but hire a tree service for more expert advice and to handle the branches that are higher up.
Install a sprinkler system and take good care of your lawn.
Why: With good watering and care, your lawn can thrive in the summer. Installing a sprinkler system alleviates the time it takes to water. And it can be programmed to water your lawn at automatic intervals, which will help you save on water bills. Plus, a lawn that is well fertilized, weeded, and trimmed can add a lot of good looks to your home.
When: Spring & Summer
Who can help: Fertilizing and general lawn care can be done by you, but you can find a lawn specialist to handle it for you or to install your sprinkler system.
Why: No one wants to swim in a dirty pool. So, unless you want to own an oversized fishless pond, keep it free of algae, clean out any leaves and debris, and make sure the chemical levels are maintained. Yes, this encourages summertime poolside fun, but it also keeps the pump and heater system running properly so you can avoid expensive repairs.
When: Summer
Who can help: You can do most of this by yourself, or find a pool pro to save time.
