Home Maintenance To Be Done While The Sun Shines

 With the start of summer (Bing: When?) and warmer weather, you can focus most of your maintenance chores outdoors. First, however, attend to a couple of jobs that will help you stay comfortable and safe inside the house.

One

Switch ceiling fan blades Switch ceiling fans to push cool air down, where you’ll most enjoy it. Observe the fan while it’s running: In summer, you want the leading edge of the blades (the part that goes around first) higher than the trailing edge (the part that rotates last). Locate the fan’s switch on its outside body. When set correctly for summer, you can stand beneath it and feel the breeze. This should allow you to adjust your thermostat higher (or set the air conditioning lower), saving fuel while enjoying the cooling effect of the moving air.

Two

Clean dryer vents  Although you probably know to remove lint from your clothes dryer’s lint filter after each use (to prevent fires),

You may not have heard that maintenance also includes cleaning the hose that pipes warm, moist air from the dryer to the outdoors.

 Use a long-handled brush, found in hardware stores (or search online for “dryer vent brush”). Also, clean the recess beneath the filter with a lint-trap brush. Make sure to purchase a brush that fits your dryer’s particular lint-trap type. Read the dryer’s manual for directions. Check vent hoses to ensure they fit tightly to each other, to the dryer and to the outside of the house. Pull out the dryer and vacuum accumulated lint under and around it.

Three

Air conditioning tune up

The number one priority for your summer home maintenance checklist is to have your air conditioning (AC) unit tuned up. As important as getting your car tuned, your AC needs to be tuned to inspect and prevent unwanted emergencies. The tune up is used to inspect refrigerant levels, which is important for your AC to keep running cool and keep your summer electric bills low, as well as to ensure your fan is functioning well, your coils are thoroughly cleaned and there are no potential fire hazards with faulty wiring.

Homeowner tip: You can keep your AC bill running smoothly by changing out your air filters often. Experts advise changing them once a month when using your unit on a daily basis.

Four

Roof check

Your roof should be inspected annually to ensure that you don't have any problems. Whether you have just ended your rainy season or are about to begin it, checking your roof regularly will assist in finding a small problem before it becomes a large, leaky one. Contingent on the type of roof, you may also want to clean your roof to avoid any permanent water damage.

Homeowner tip: If your home has gables for example a Victorian be sure to clean the valleys where the gables or dormers come into the main roof.

Five

Clean gutters

Cleaning gutters regularly will help prevent clogging and unnecessary leaks. It is recommended that gutters are cleaned twice a year: once at late fall/early winter, after all of the leaves have fallen and prior to the first snow-fall, and once at late spring/early summer after flowers, seeds and blossoms are done blowing off.

Six

Window check

Ensure that the hot summer heat stays outside by checking and maintaining your home's windows. One of the key items in window maintenance is routinely checking the sealants. Ensure that both inside and out are secured, and caulk any open areas in between. Also, check weather-stripping for any faults and replace it immediately if there is an issue. Taking care of windows will keep your home looking and feeling good.

Keep in mind that keeping the sealants in great condition on  windows and doors will prevent  water damage to  walls and floors and window trim inside the house.

Homeowner tip: Use a small paintbrush or toothbrush when cleaning windows to get to hard-to-reach areas.

Seven

Pressure wash the exterior

An important element of maintaining your home's exterior is to routinely clean it, and the easiest way to do so is to pressure wash the walls. Do it to remove dirt, stains and mildew, especially prior to painting. Before you wash, just ensure that you cover plants, electrical outlets, windows and doors to avoid any Do It Yourself  mishaps.

Homeowner tip: For a step-by-step guide on how to pressure wash your home, check out this MSN Real Estate video.

Eight

Pool maintenance

Depending on where you live, it's probably been a good six months since your pool has been used for swimming. Get it ready for summer by cleaning it up, leveling the water, ensuring that your pumps are working and balancing your chemicals. Start at least a week prior to swim season to ensure that the water and your new bathing suit are safe from chemical harm.

Homeowner tip: Look into an energy-efficient pool pump to help keep your electric bill down during the summer months.

 If you do not have the time or are unable to do the work contact us  to schedule an appointment for an estimate .  Call : 203-723-5328