The weather’s warming up, the days are longer and for most of us, it’s that time of year when we take a more relaxed approach to everything. Even our home maintenance. Start tackling your summer home maintenance checklist to protect the value of your home: decide which of these are priorities and tackle them first. You can hire professionals to handle the rest (we have lots of great contractors we can recommend) and then sit back, relax and enjoy your summer!
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect your house for foundation cracks or leaks. They can be an entry point for groundwater, insects or radon gas.
- Check your windows for leaks. Re-caulk seals on doors and windows as this will easily and inexpensively increase your home’s energy efficiency.
- Clean out your gutters and downspouts. After our unusually rainy spring, it’s more important than ever to remove debris from gutters. We always experience summer thunderstorms in the DC area, so check afterward to prevent clogs and to keep water away from your home’s foundation.
- Repair and repaint any chipped, cracking or faded exterior paint. This will protect your home’s exterior surface from the elements and improve its curb appeal.
- Check the siding on your house for loose or rotted material and repair. Power washing siding or brick will remove dust, dirt, tree sap and other natural elements that leave your home looking less than its best.
- Have your air conditioner checked and serviced. There’s nothing worse than a stretch of 95 degree days with 95% humidity and your air conditioner stops working. Regular maintenance (including changing the filters) extends the life of your unit and may reduce a costly A/C repair bill.
- Clean your dryer vent and exhaust duct. Clogged lint and dust in your dryer vents make these appliances less efficient and pose a potential fire threat.
If you have some summer home improvement projects in mind, here are some that are ideal to do at this time of year:
- Replacing old windows or front doors
- Replacing your roof
- Refinishing flooring
- Building a deck or adding a skylight
Last but not least, make sure you have your snow blower serviced….with the crazy weather we’ve experienced this year you never know when we might have our first snowfall!
Happy summer! If you have questions about selling or buying a home please contact us by clicking here.