June kicks off the official start of summer, and warm weather is here to stay! As you prepare for the coming summer months, don’t forget to prep your home as well! With the increase in temperatures and humidity levels, there are a number of things you can do to save money and protect your home from damage.
Trim trees and shrubbery
While trees and shrubbery can make your home a zen, colorful place to live and provide much needed shade in the summer, it is important to make sure that branches and shrubs are not causing damage to the exterior of your home. Trim branches and shrubs that are touching your home to prevent scratching and chipping of your home’s roof and siding. Additionally, make sure that the shade from trees around your home is not creating an environment for mold and mildew to grow.
Check your HVAC
Don’t let yourself wind up in the heat of summer without a working air conditioning unit! Service your air conditioner by cleaning your condensing unit outside and changing your air conditioning filter. Ensuring an unclogged filter will also save you money! Clogged filters cause air conditioning units to work harder and cost more to run. Clear away debris from your condensing unit and follow the cleaning instructions from your unit’s user manual.
Inspect your home’s exterior
Whether it means (cautiously) getting up on your roof or inspecting with a pair of binoculars from across the street, check the roof of your home for any sign of damage to shingles, flashings, and chimneys. Inspect siding for signs of rot and repair as needed. Check windows for dry rot and water damage, and re-caulk seals around windows, pipes, and skylights. Ensure outdoor plumbing is in good working order and remove freeze caps from the winter months.
Touch up paint
Paint is not just for aesthetics! Paint helps protect your home from rot and other damage. Inspect your siding, deck, fences, and windows for chips and other signs of wear and tear. Repair and repaint or re-stain as necessary! Make sure to properly power wash your home to clean away dirt and other buildup before painting.
Clean gutters and downspouts
Summer often means increased rainfall and thunderstorms. Prevent water damage by making sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and in good condition. The winter months can result in increased buildup and wear and tear on gutters, and the start of summer is the perfect time to make sure they are in good working order. Clogged gutters can result in water leaks that are harmful to both the interior and exterior of your home.
Spray for bugs
Finally, keep your home pest-free by spraying around the exterior and interior of your home. Spray outside along windows and doors and inside along baseboards, doors, windows and under sinks. Bugs are not only a nuisance, but can inflict damage on your home. These unwelcome pests often infest floors, cabinets, doors, and other hardwood furniture in your home and generally make your home less clean, healthy, and enjoyable to live in.
For more homeowner tips, check out our other blogs.
