
Summer is around the corner, and that means DIY season is about to be in full swing for homeowners everywhere. The summer is the perfect season to address landscaping maintenance tasks, improve the energy efficiency of your home, and make sure that your HVAC system is ready to keep you cool no matter how hot it gets outside. Our real estate agents are here to help you prepare, with our ultimate summer home maintenance checklist.
The Ultimate Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Whether we're talking about homes in Ashland or homes in Lexington, the summer is the perfect time to catch up on outdoor maintenance. Sometimes, maintenance simply means making sure that your home looks its best.
- Wash Windows – Windows pick up a lot of grime throughout the year, and the summer is an ideal time to clean them from the outside. You don't need fancy equipment, just a bucket of warm, soapy water, a sponge, and a squeegee.
- Clean Screens – It won't hurt to freshen up your screens while you're at it, and once again soapy water is your friend. This task is a little easier than cleaning windows, because you can pop your screens out and clean them all in one place.
- Power Wash Surfaces – Soap and water won't be enough to clean your driveway, so consider renting a power washer for a day to tackle those tough outdoor surfaces. Clean driveways, walkways, poolside areas, patios, and any other place that gets heavy foot traffic.
- Landscaping Maintenance – Whether you want to add some fresh outdoor appeal to one of the beautiful homes in Mansfield or simply want to keep your garden under control, this is the time of year to put your green thumb to work. Get rid of any weeds, prune shrubs, and add some new outdoor plants if you're feeling adventurous.
For indoor summer maintenance, the focus changes from staying green to staying cool. It's important that your HVAC system is in good working order, and your home is ready to keep the hot air out and the cold air in.
- Check A/C Filters – If you have a central heating and cooling system, be sure to check your filters based on the manufacturer's instructions. New filters only cost a few dollars at your local hardware store, and will greatly improve the efficiency of your HVAC system in the months when it matters most.
- HVAC Maintenance – Unless you work in the industry yourself, the heavy-duty heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning maintenance is best left to the pros. Call in your favorite HVAC pro at the start of the season, to make sure that your system is ready to go.
- Seal Drafts – We tend to worry about drafts more in the winter when cold air is coming in, but an unsealed draft is just as bad for your home's efficiency during the summer. Check all doors, windows, and vents, and then use silicone caulk to seal any drafts. Spray foam insulation works great for sealing trouble spots in attics and basements.
- Check for Water Leaks – Since you're busy sealing things up anyway, now is also the time to check that all of your indoor and outdoor plumbing is in good working order. A small leak can quickly add up to a ton of lost water and damage, so have any issues fixed as soon as you can.
Are you looking forward to tackling our summer home maintenance checklist, but still searching for the perfect home to call your own? Contact us to buy and sell homes in the Mansfield, Ohio area.