Is Your Home Summer-Ready? Check These Chores Off Your Checklist
Even tho must of us don’t have a lakeside residence (like this one from Stonewood LLC from last summer’s Artisan Home Tour), we all can still enjoy a long hot summer in our own homes if we take the right steps. Here are a few tips to get you started.
With summer just around the corner, now is the time to ensure your home is ready for all that comes with the warm weather … including high temperatures, bugs and more. When you don’t take the time to get your home summer-ready, you run the risk of putting yourself and your family in danger, as well as spending extra money in the long run.
Not sure where to start? Read on for our checklist of summer home maintenance tasks:
A Lovely Lawn
Most folks look forward to planting flowers and other gardening projects come summer. So it’s a good idea to check that your sprinkler system or law irrigation system is functioning at an optimal level so that your lawn stays lush.
Experts say prior to summer, homeowners should check the irrigations lines for any drips, rips or clogs, as well as fix the sprinkler nozzles to ensure each part of the lawn is being irrigated well. For more information or for those who don’t have a green thumb, it’s best to go to those in the know to learn how much and how often your lawn should be watered (because over-watering can drown plant’s roots).
Keeping it Cool
The last thing you want on a 90 degree day is for your refrigerator to go south. Not only will you lack cool food and drink, you’ll likely lose money on a fridge-full of food that may need to be thrown out.
Experts recommend checking your refrigerator coils and door gasket prior to warm weather arriving. The coils, they say, can get dusty and dirty and prevent them from doing their job, which is to keep heat from entering the refrigerator. To clean, power off your unit and use a vacuum brush to de-dust. The door gasket, or the rubber piece on the door, are in place to help your fridge function at its best. The gasket should be cleaned with soap and water and free of any rips.
Likewise, it’s important (in some locations, dire) to be sure that your air conditioning is functioning properly before summer gets here. Before doing any work to the unit, be sure it is turned off. Then, start by cleaning or replacing your air conditioning filters, as when they are dirty, your air will not be able to flow freely. Next, you’ll want to clear debris from the condenser unit (typically located outdoors), such as leaves and dirt, as well as ensure that there is no grass or weeds blocking the unit, as this can hinder its cooling ability. And finally, you’ll want to be sure that the unit’s refrigerant pipes, which are usually foam insulation, are intact. If any are broken or gone, you’ll want to replace them.
Pest Control
With the warm weather come bugs, rodents and other pests that are not welcome. Not only does this include the usual suspects like mosquitoes and flies, but larger culprits like raccoons, bats and more that can be harmful to your family and pets.
When it comes to protecting your home and family from pests, it’s best to leave it to the professionals who know the right — and safe — way to make your homestead pest-free for good. Wildlife removal companies can handle all of your animal, pest and wildlife control needs in accordance to local and state regulations.
After you’ve gotten your home summer-ready and functioning its best, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the coming months with peace of mind.