Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

As of now you’ve probably taken care of some of the Spring Home Maintenance items we posted, especially your air conditioning, and are eagerly awaiting our sunny South Bay summer days. After all, summer is just around the corner, and it’s the season to enjoy your home, not fix it. But still, some chores must be done. Keep on top of them, and you’ll still have plenty of time for family fun at Hermosa beach, or brews and barbecues at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach.

Exterior

Lawn

By summer, you and your mower should be close friends. Set your mower on the highest setting so you don’t cut the grass too short and expose it to drought and weeds. If you have a landscaper, request that they adhere to this guideline. Also, make sure your lawn and garden get plenty of water during hot summer days. Water early in the day, but not daily. Lawns and plants prefer a good soaking a few times a week rather than a light drizzle every day.

Plants and Foliage

Dig up the weeds (this should be a weekly affair). Water the plants and deadhead flowers that are past their bloom. These steps will keep your garden looking tidy, and your neighbors’ content. Also, clear dead plants and shrubs from the house. Plants can weasel their way into cracks and holes on the exterior of your home, causing damage and shortening longevity. Nip that in the bud before it’s an issue. If you have decorative vines on the exterior, pay close attention to them.

Sprinklers

Once spring showers end, your plants will need extra water from your sprinklers. Check your system by turning the sprinklers on manually, one station at a time. Then walk around the yard and check to make sure sprinkler heads are upright. Look for clogs and clean the valves out with water from the hose or a brush. Leaky valves probably need to be replaced. Also, make sure the spray is wide enough, and not blocked by any foliage. You may need to prune plants or adjust the flow on the valve. Finally, check the timers to ensure your sprinklers are running on queue. If you do notice leaks, pooling water or low pressure, it could be a sign that underground pipes are cracked, a problem that usually means it’s time to call a plumber. Hire a landscaper if you can’t do it yourself.

Barbeque

Clean your grill to ensure your barbeque is functioning optimally all summer long. For charcoal barbeques, empty the grill and wipe away all the dust.  Clean the outside and inside with hot water and soap and let it dry before using. For gas grills, close the lid and turn the heat on high for about a half hour.  Let the grill cool slightly and brush the grill.  Clean the outside with a sponge and gentle cleanser.  Then clean out the drip trays. This should do the trick, but for a little extra TLC follow these easy-to-do tips.

Rodents

Summer is their playground. And yes, unfortunately sometimes critters decide that your house is the perfect place to escape the heat. From snakes and squirrels to rats and mice, take steps to close off your home to non-pet animals by covering any holes that are more than a quarter-inch wide. Get your tree branches trimmed back so they don’t create a highway for squirrels and rats to your attic. Branches should be at least 8 feet from your roof. Also, make sure your outdoor trash bins are tightly sealed to prevent a buffet for pests, and do away with yard debris. Leaves and twigs are a haven for animals that might decide to invade your home.

Interior

Dryer Vent

Check and clean the dryer vent. While the dryer is running, check the external exhaust and make sure adequate air is coming out. It should smell nice like fresh laundry. If there isn’t much exhaust, check for blockages the best you can, or you may need a professional. Also, vacuum the lint from the hose at the dryer. Doing this will help your dryer’s overall performance, prevent hazards, and you will save on your energy bill!

Garage

Cleaning the garage should be a summer ritual for all households. Keeping your garage nice and tidy will extend its life as it often doesn’t get the same care the rest of your home does. Less insulation topped with more home projects taking shape in there, and cars coming in and out causes loads of excess dust and debris, so you should clean in there often. Once a year, however, give it a thorough once over by dusting, sweeping, mopping, organizing necessities, and throwing out any junk that might have piled up throughout the year. Also, oil your garage door opener and chains to prevent squeaks and rattles. While you’re at it, test your garage door auto-reverse feature. In 1993, a federal law passed requiring all garage doors to have this feature after multiple child injuries. Test it by placing a 2×4 on the ground where the door would close. It should reverse immediately after the door touches the wood. Also, test the photo-electric sensors if you have them by placing something in front of them (not your body). If the door doesn’t immediately go back up, you have a problem, and you should contact a garage door repair company as soon as possible.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

If you have ceiling fans, there should be a switch to make the fan blades run counter-clockwise. Running the blades in this direction during the warmer months can help to push cool air down to the floor. The cool air evaporates perspiration and creates a wind chill effect, which makes you feel cooler without affecting the room temperature. This is a great way to hold off turning on the AC, thus saving energy and money!

Refrigerator Coils

Vacuum your refrigerator coils. I learned this tip from a refrigerator repairman, and our research confirmed it. The fridge can use up to 15 percent of your home’s total power, so you want it running as efficiently as possible. Over time, the coils get dirty and your fridge requires more juice. You can save up to $100 a year by doing this, and it’s not at all a difficult task. Just unplug the refrigerator and remove the base grill if necessary. Then take a brush and lightly brush the coils. Make sure to use some care on this step so as not to disturb with the inner functions of your fridge. When you’re done, give the coils and the surrounding floor a once over with your vacuum, then replace the grill and plug your fridge back it. It’s that simple!

Toilets

Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces. This mostly applies to guest bathrooms, or any other sinks and water sources you don’t use on a regular basis. The idea is to prevent grime or any other kind of buildup. Regularly running a little bit of water through will prevent this, and if you’re behind on this task then now is the perfect time to start! Also, check your water softener if you have one, and add salt if needed. You shouldn’t have to add salt often, but its better to check anyway, as it only takes about 5 seconds.

Going through this easy to do check list will ensure your home runs smoothly, stopping any unwanted repairs, and guaranteeing you get to spend your days doing what you love – enjoying our amazing South Bay summers! However, for any DIY projects and maintenance that seem a little too big to handle alone, give Levine Homes a call. Did you know that a minor kitchen remodel can add up to $20,000 to your home value? Our expert construction team will guide you every step of the way to figure out what projects will work best for both your budget and your home.