Summer time means lazy days by the pool, vacations, lawn care and other outdoor activities. This time of year also means your home is being bombarded by the sun which can cause challenges for homeowners. At Langston Residential Development, we want the best for those who move into our neighborhoods. That’s why we’ve put together this summer home maintenance checklist. These five tips will make sure you’re home can beat the heat!
Tune Up Your Air Conditioner
Clearly, we have to begin here. Your AC unit is working hard this summer – and just like any machine, if you run it too hard for too long parts will begin to wear down. The last thing you want is a unit to stop working during a heat wave. That’s why we recommend getting an AC tune up every summer to check for faulty parts or wires and to clean debris that can gather inside of the unit.
Tip: Don’t let shrubs, bushes or other plants grow too close to your air conditioner. Trim them back at least three feet from the unit to reduce debris getting sucked in and to increase air flow.
Don’t Forget To Change Your Filters
Speaking of air flow, it may seem like a small thing, but the air filters in your home can greatly impact the efficiency of your air conditioner. Be sure to replace your air filters every 2-3 months (and more often if you have pets). This is a good time to check the air filters in appliances around the home too! Items like lawn mowers, refrigerators and humidifiers need to have their air filters changed as well.
Pressure Wash Your Home’s Exterior
Increase the life of your home’s exterior and keep it looking new with a yearly cleaning. Be sure to buy the right detergent based on your home’s exterior material (brick, stucco, wood, etc.) and remove built-up grime, mildew or stains with a gas-powered pressure washer. You can use an electric one, but the low power output will end up taking much longer to complete the job. Learn more about how to pressure wash your home here.
Fill In Driveway Cracks
Depending on the age of your home, you may have noticed small cracks appearing on your driveway, walkway and porch. Summer is the perfect time to apply asphalt or concrete repair. You will want to pressure wash the area and clear any debris before applying sealer to ensure it has a strong hold to the foundation.
Clean Your Gutters
Make sure your gutters are clear before summer ends and leaves begin to fall. Clogged gutters can cause a myriad of problems for a home including roof leaks, fungus and stained roofs. You may as well get out there and clean them out while it’s warm instead of waiting until November.
One last thing, always play it safe when working on your home. Have someone there to help, make sure ladders are stable and you have proper protection for your hands, eyes and ears. And thank you for keeping our developments beautiful by taking good care of your home.
Sources:
https://www.todayshomeowner.com/summer-home-maintenance-to-do-list/5/
https://www.thenest.com/content/summer-home-maintenance-checklist
http://www.sheknows.com/home-and-gardening/articles/991469/6-summer-home-maintenance-items-you-shouldnt-miss