Your House Maintenance Checklist for the Summer

It’s summer and that means it’s hot. This summer has seemingly been an endless streak of scorching weather. That overbearing heat takes a toll not only on you, but on your house as well. With that in mind, here is a list of easy maintenance tasks:

Check detectors

This is an easy one to do but very important. About twice a year you should go ahead and switch out the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. While they can be annoying when they go off for something like cooking, these detectors really do save lives. Be sure to make sure they are functional and have ample power.

Inspect your deck or outdoor space

The elements can wreak havoc on your outdoor spaces, particularly in the winter and spring when there is snow, sleet, heavy rain, and other weather events that can damage or deteriorate. Even with pressure treated wood, you might find that some of your decking has worn or rotted after a long ‘off-season.’ Be sure to inspect your deck for any damage and either fix it yourself or call a professional.

Prep against bugs

While you want to enjoy the outside and nature during the warm months, you probably do not want to enjoy it being in your house. To keep bugs out of your house during the summer, there are a number of things you can do to prepare. Where you live will affect how you prepare, as you need to get your home ready to repel the specific types of bugs that live in your area. 

Clean your doormats

This is another simple one but important. Over the spring, rainy weather means mud, which means doormats caked with dirt. Be sure to shake them out or beat them out to get them free of dirt. This will allow your mats room to absorb all the dirt during summer!

Check screens and windows

If the weather isn’t too hot or you just want to save on your electric bill, you may look to open your windows and enjoy the breeze. But, you don’t want to open your windows if you’ve got ripped screens. A ripped or torn screen isn’t uncommon, especially in an older home. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that your windows close properly and securely so that the cool air you’ve paid for doesn’t escape. 

Spring may be the time for cleaning, but summer is a good time for maintenance. There’s always work to be done, so make yourself a checklist (or use the one above!) and get to work.