Each season brings different to-do lists for home maintenance. With summertime now in full force, it means temperatures are rising and summer storms are here. It’s important to keep your house in good condition to protect your investment now and in the colder months as well. Here’s a manageable checklist to help save your money and keep your home in great shape!
- Clean bathroom drains— It’s not a fun job but someone’s got to do it! Oftentimes bathroom sinks can accumulate black sludge (usually from mold, mildew, and toothpaste residue) in the drains and can cause clogs. Go ahead and take care of the drains before they become slow-moving, you’ll thank yourself later. There are different ways you can clean your drains such as pouring boiling water in the sink or even using a combination of baking soda and salt. Make sure you research what the best method is for your home.
- Trim plants and bushes—Not all plants should be trimmed back in the summer but do take some time to deadhead both perennials and annuals when it’s warmer outside. This simply means removing the dead flower from the plant. Hedges and other bushes that need to be kept a certain shape for privacy need to be pruned throughout the summer months as well.
- Seal and repair cracks in the driveways and walkways— This is something you can easily do yourself and is fortunately inexpensive to fix. Most damage in concrete and asphalt usually show up as cracks, and once cracking starts it only gets worse. After you get the cracks taken care of, use sealant on your driveway as an extra protectant.
- Wash your windows— You only need to clean the outside of your windows once or twice a year. If you have a lot of windows in your home, divide the job up and do it room-by-room. Get a squeegee to save you time and to help keep your windows streak free.
- Check your window screens—While you’re checking out your windows, pay close attention to your window screens. Are they damaged? If so, now’s the perfect time to replace them. It's a cheap and quick fix!
- Clean out your gutters— You’ll probably have to do this more than once a year, but summer is a great time to take advantage of the weather and to get your house ready for the falling autumn leaves in the coming months. Just stay on top of this chore because when it’s not done regularly, it can cause trouble for your home (i.e. roofing damage, foundation issues, and the infrastructure of your home behind the gutters).
- Clean and replace shower heads— A lot of people neglect to do this. Sediment can build up in your shower head which can change your water pressure and cause bacteria to grow (and easily live) in your shower head. This is an area where black mold can appear as well. Make sure you have a metal shower head instead of a plastic one to help keep black mold away, and just replace your shower head if you’re unable to get it clean.
- Check your crawl space for moisture— Not everyone has a crawl space but if you do it’s important to pay attention to the amount of moisture that enters this vented space. Problems in your crawl space can effect your entire house and if you don’t keep your eye on it, you might not notice issues for a long time. Moisture can damage insulation and wood, and will eventually make its way into the living space inside your home.
- Shampoo and clean your carpets and rugs— Dirt on carpet causes them to wear and tear more quickly due to the excess particles, dust, and dirt. You can rent a carpet cleaning machine from a local hardware store and do it yourself, or you can hire a professional to take care of it! Area rugs should be spot-cleaned and vacuumed regularly, especially if you have pets.
Print off this checklist and put it on your fridge to check off your “to-do list” while the weather is still warm, or even share it with a neighbor! Be on the lookout for a checklist each season to make sure your home is being well maintained.