Keeping up a home can be exhausting, especially in the summer. Between the heat and humidity of the season and the increased risk of natural disasters like wildfires, it’s essential to take measures to protect your home.
Here are some summer maintenance tips to keep things running smoothly all year long.
- Check Your Windows And Doors
There’s always at least one home upgrade project on the go over the year. And there are no home projects more important than looking after the integrity of your home. Windows and doors are the front lines of any home’s defense system.
When you perform your regular maintenance check, look at your windows to ensure they are clean and don’t have any cracks or broken seals. Cracks can allow air to leak in and out of the window, causing it to become inefficient and costing you more money on your utility bill. Take a look at your doors too. Again, check they close properly and don’t have any cracks or gaps.
- Test Your Sprinkler System
Sprinklers keep your lawn green and healthy when you aren’t home. But, like everything else, these systems must be tested regularly to ensure they are working correctly. So they’re an essential part of any home maintenance schedule.
Over 40% of homeowners claim that they will skip out on maintenance at least once a year. Since most maintenance only takes a few minutes, there are no excuses not to do it. Sprinkler systems should be tested annually. This gives you a full year to fix any issues before they become a significant problem.
- Change The Oil In Your Heating System And Air Conditioner
Heating and air conditioning systems are a major investment. They also run on oil, so it’s important to change the oil regularly to prevent damage to the system. Dirty oil can clog air filters and reduce the efficiency of your system. Whenever you change your oil, inspect the system for signs of wear and tear. If it needs to be repaired, it’s best to do so as soon as possible.
Air conditioners should also be checked every year. And summer is the perfect time to do that. Ventilation systems are essential to keeping your home healthy by removing pollutants. They can also reduce the energy your AC uses by pulling hot air from other rooms and pushing cool air into them. It’s important to clean the filters on these systems regularly to ensure they operate correctly. If you’re unsure how to do it, don’t guess and hope for the best. Instead, hire a professional to take care of the summer ac maintenance for you.
- Inspect Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are a must-have in any home. They are essential in preventing fires, which are incredibly dangerous and can cause a lot of damage quickly. Smoke detectors can last upwards of 10 years. However, they should be tested annually to ensure they are working correctly. If you have hardwired smoke detectors, you’ll need to be careful when testing them. If you press the test button on the unit and the light blinks, the unit is working correctly. If it doesn’t blink, the unit is broken, and you will want to replace it as soon as possible.
- Check For Roof Damage And Repair As Needed
Your roof is an integral part of your home. It protects you from the elements and keeps you safe from any fires or other natural disasters in your area. When you perform your annual maintenance check, look for signs of damage. If you notice that any shingles are curled or buckled, or any valleys are leaky, you may need to repair them. You can visit various online homeowner forums to find out how to fix common roofing issues.
Conclusion
Keeping your home in good condition will help reduce energy costs and extend the life of your property. The best way to do this is by creating a maintenance schedule. This will ensure that you always have something to do each month to help keep your home running smoothly and efficiently. It’s important to do these maintenance jobs as soon as they come due so that you can avoid having to pay for costly repairs.