SUMMER HOME MAINTENANCE

Summer is fast approaching and with warmer temperatures just around the corner, it will be easy to forgo your summer home maintenance and head to the beach. Which sounds like a great idea, actually. However, a few hours spent maintaining your home now means fewer costly repairs down the line. So we’ve pared the summer home maintenance list down to the just the “must list” so you can get ‘er done and get back to summer fun!

• The Usual Suspects: Always a good time to check your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, change air filters, clean your gutters
• Spin Me Right Round: Dust off the ceiling fan blades with a damp cloth
• Hanging Out: Have you considered installing a clothesline for drying your laundry. Save money & energy and let the sun do the work! Note, if your home is in an HOA, check with the Association rules first as some don’t allow it.

• Some Like it Hot: Clean up the outdoor BBQ… For gas grills, fire up the heat and close the lid, let “cook” for 30 minutes. After the grill cools, brush it down with a grill brush and wipe down the exterior with a sponge. Clean the drip pans. For charcoal grills, remove leftover ashes and wipe out any ashy residue. Completely wipe down the inside with hot water, dish soap and a good sponge. Let dry completely before your next BBQ.

• Hit the Deck: Inspect your deck for signs of rot, hammer down any nails that are sticking up, and test to see if deck needs re-sealing. If you sprinkle water on the deck’s surface and it beads up, you’re good.
• The Grass is Greener: For those of you who haven’t given up their lawns for drought tolerant plants, set your sprinklers to water longer but for fewer days. This trains the lawns to reach deeper for the moisture, creating a more drought tolerant lawn.
• Transparency is Key: This is a good time to wash your windows. Note, if you use Windex, do it in the morning before it gets too hot or the sun will make it streaky.
• Mulch Much?: Adding a layer of mulch will help keep moisture in the soil while it’s hot, as well as help keep weeds away.
• Porch Polish: Sweep & mop your front porch, use a scrubbing brush for extra dirt build-up. Add a colorful bench or chairs and a couple potted plants for curb appeal.
• Decorate and They Will Come: Spruce up your outdoor living spaces with a couple adirondack chairs, a bench or a bistro table, or maybe a chaise lounge in a shady reading spot. Throw in a couple colorful throw pillows and voila! By creating multiple gathering spots for family and friends throughout your yard, you make the most of your outdoor living area.