When you think of summer, you probably think of spending time outside, swimming, hiking, and soaking up the sun. However, this is also the perfect season to take care of your home. During the cold winter and blustery fall months, your home faithfully shelters you from the elements. Summer is the time to give your home some attention before the season changes.
The warmer months are a prime time for hot weather, thunderstorms, and an increase in pest populations. We've put together a summer home maintenance checklist to help you protect your home during this season.
Interior Summer Home Maintenance
During the summer, you rely on your home's air conditioning to stay comfortable. It's the perfect time of year to do some deep cleaning, update filters and check that appliances are ready for cooler weather.
Deep Cleaning
Having a seasonal deep cleaning routine helps you keep your home in working order. Summer is a good time to check these off the list:
- Clean refrigerator and freezer coils. When your refrigerator coils are dirty, they have to work harder to stay cool. You can extend the life of your appliances by keeping the coils dust and grime-free.
- Clean sink traps. Your sink trap is the U-shaped pipe underneath your kitchen cabinets. Over time, it can collect grime and oil that needs to be flushed out. A mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water is usually effective.
- Clean vents, fans, and ducts. Vent covers and fans collect dust that you need to wipe away so that the particles don't blow into your air over the summer. You can also invest in professional duct cleaning, which removes dust and particles from your home's duct system.
- Vacuum your dryer vent. It's essential to keep your dryer vent clean to reduce the risk of fires. Clean your dryer filter every time you use the machine, and detach the hose and thoroughly vacuum lint out of the hose and external vent several times a year.
Tests and Inspections
The following tasks help safeguard your home throughout the year:
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ideally, you should check that your detectors work at least once a month. The change of season is a good reminder to check them by pushing their test buttons. Replace the batteries if they have stopped working.
- Check faucets for leaks. Look under your kitchen cabinets to inspect the plumbing, and check your toilets and showerheads for leaks. In addition to creating risk for mold and water damage, plumbing leaks lead to higher utility bills. If you find a leak, take the time to have it fixed while the problem is still small.
- Test GFI circuits. If you have GFI circuits, you should test them monthly to ensure they will turn off when overloaded. Plug an appliance in and use the “test” and “reset” buttons to do this.
General Upkeep
Your summer checklist should include the following:
- Reverse your ceiling fans. Changing fans to a counterclockwise rotation will push warm air down from the ceiling, creating a cool breeze and reducing the amount of hot air in a room. Most fans have a switch that will reverse the direction the blades are spinning. Make sure you turn the fan off before switching its direction.
- Seal ceramic tile grout. Since bathrooms are a high-moisture area, mold spreads here more quickly. Resealing grout in your bathroom will help keep it mold and mildew-free. You should reseal your grout every six months to two years for best results.
- Drain your water heater. Your water heater collects sediment over time. It's important to drain this sediment periodically to extend the life of your water heater.
- Update window treatments. To protect your furniture, rugs, and flooring, invest in sun-blocking window treatments. The warm sun can fade furniture, quilts, and pictures that are exposed for too long.
- Replace furnace filters. During the summer, it's unlikely you'll need to use your furnace. This creates the perfect opportunity to replace filters and complete additional maintenance so it's ready when it gets cold.
- Lubricate door hinges. You can use a standard home lubricant oil to keep your doors swinging freely and eliminate any bothersome squeaks.
Exterior Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Follow these 10 end-of-summer home maintenance tips to keep your home's exterior in good shape and ready for winter weather.
- Wash the walls. Use a hose to softly wash dust and dirt from the outside of your home. You can use a mild soap if needed.
- Clean the deck, porch, and sidewalk. Use the same treatment on external spaces like your deck and porch. Cleaning these areas at least once a year will prevent buildup and keep the exterior looking bright and new.
- Inspect the foundation. Walk around your home and visually inspect the foundation for any cracks or damage. If you notice something looks off, contact a professional right away.
- Take care of your lawn. As the weather heats up, it's important to keep your lawn watered. Consider installing an irrigation system if necessary.
- Check your hose and sprinklers for leaks. Like your indoor plumbing, your outdoor plumbing can leak and cause significant utility expenses. Check your hose and sprinklers to ensure water is going where you want it to go.
- Replace bulbs in exterior lighting. Eventually, your outdoor bulbs will burn out. To keep your home's exterior safely lighted, replace these bulbs as often as required.
- Lubricate and clean garage doors. If your home has a garage, summer is a good time to clean and lubricate your garage doors. You can even clean the inside of your garage if you want to get carried away!
- Trim trees near your home. During summer storms, tree branches may fall and hit your roof or car. Avoid parking under trees and keep the branches trimmed to avoid accidents like this.
- Schedule pest control services. Critters start reproducing and spreading when there's warm weather. It's important to stay on top of pest control so you can prevent problems before they occur.
By following these tips, you can keep your home in good condition and avoid costly repairs. Regular home maintenance can go a long way to ensure you enjoy the summer without experiencing a crisis inside your home.
Enjoy Summer With Keystone Custom Homes
Use this summer home maintenance checklist to care for your new Keystone Custom Home this season. We've been helping homeowners build or buy a pre-built handcrafted home since 1992. Our communities are located across the mid-Atlantic to the Southeast, and we can also help you secure and build on personal property.
We offer 30+ Designer-inspired floorplans with thousands of design options to help make your home your own. We take clients through the design and building phases from start to finish, streamlining the steps and giving you access to expert advice along the way. Contact us today at 717-368-9831 to request an appointment and get started on your dream home!
