(Newswire.net — May 28, 2019) — Summer may be a few weeks away from an official standpoint, but that isn’t stopping homeowners all over the country from engaging in habits and activities designed to ready their homes for the coming warm months. Seasonal changes are the perfect opportunity to give your house a once-over, making repairs, conducting maintenance, and inspecting various components for damage; the warm months make these activities more convenient, and may be the best opportunity to bring some of your equipment (like your air conditioner) back online after being dormant.
So what steps are homeowners taking to prepare their homes for summer?
Installing New Summer Features
Some homeowners are making upgrades and adjustments on their houses to support a summer lifestyle. For some, that means setting up an awning, where friends and family can relax in the shade on even the hottest day. For others, that means investing in new patio furniture like tables and chairs. Still others might turn to a raised bed of soil, so they can plant crops and flowers more conveniently and in a more presentable format.
Checking for Winter Damage
Winter can take a toll on your home, even if you didn’t notice anything wrong over the course of winter and spring months. Snow and ice will accumulate on your roof and in your gutters, and the weight of it can cause structural damage. Even worse, if the accumulated material went through multiple thaw and freeze cycles, it could cause even more damage. It’s best to get up there and check for yourself, determining whether it’s necessary to repair any holes or tears.
Preparing an Air Conditioner
If you live in a climate that gets cold in winter, you likely put away your air conditioner (if it’s a window unit) or prepared it for hibernation during the winter (if it’s a central AC unit). Even if you stored it properly, much can go wrong during storage, so you’ll want to take some extra steps to tune up your system before you need it for the first time.
If it’s a window unit, you shouldn’t have to do much. Replace or clean out the filter, remove any dust or debris from the unit, and install it in an open window. Then plug it in and make sure it runs properly—before you’re going to rely on it.
If it’s a central unit, you’ll have to go through a few more steps. Hose off the condenser coils and inspect all connection points for any leaks or damage from winter. Remove any debris, like falling leaves, that might have accumulated over the fall and winter (especially if you didn’t cover it up). This is also a good time to inspect your vents for dust and debris and change your filter.
Checking Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
You don’t think about your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors frequently, but it’s vital to keep them in good working order. The change in seasons is a good excuse to change the batteries. Make sure you test them to ensure they’re functioning as intended.
Cleaning the Exterior of a Home
A clean home looks better, and provides better curb appeal (which is important if you’re trying to sell), but perhaps more importantly, it helps protect your home against wear and tear. Accumulated dirt and debris can eventually cause damage to your siding and other outdoor fixtures. If you can, take a pressure washer to the sides of your home, your porch, and other areas that could stand a little TLC. While you’re at it, inspect for any damage; for example, are there any areas of paint that are starting to peel? Do you notice any supports that are starting to look weak or rotted?
You may also want to wash your windows, or do some spring cleaning around the inside of your house. If you start cleaning the windows, this is also a good opportunity to check for any air leaks, especially if you plan on running the air conditioner frequently; leaks here will not only make your home less comfortable on hot days, they could also cost you more money in additional energy costs.
Monitoring and Taking Proactive Action
Tending to these one-time actions can keep your home in good condition for the summer and for years to come, but don’t think your work is done yet. It’s also important to closely monitor the condition of your home as it changes throughout the summer, watching for any problem areas or instances of damage you can correct proactively.
For example, if you notice moisture starting to accumulate in the basement, you can install a dehumidifier to prevent it from getting worse. The sooner you take action on incidents like these, the smaller the headache they’ll become.