Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Spring has been and gone. But it is not too late to complete needed maintenance on your home! Real estate agents and inspectors both have unbelievable stories of conditions they have witnessed in homes. But if you schedule some of the maintenance activities suggested below, you are less likely to be unpleasantly surprised by anything in your home’s condition, let alone unexpected/unplanned for expenses.
- Power wash the outside of your home. Heat and humidity can cause mildew to grow faster on your home’s exterior. Use a power washer with a mildew remover compatible with your siding.
- Evaluate the condition of your deck. If you have wood desks, check your deck to see if any boards or posts look like they are rotting and work on repairs. Pour water on your deck to see if the boards should be resealed. If the water sinks into the wood, you should reseal the deck to protect it against water damage.
- Service old windows and doors and replace damaged screens. Windows should shut properly to maintain temperature control. Check the weather stripping on doors and replace if needed.
- Monitor your roof. Inspect beneath your eaves for loose debris that might have accumulated there. Wherever you see leaves or muck, remove it. You may wish to hire a professional for this work. They can also inspect your roof’s flashing or metal strips found around chimneys, vents, satellite dishes, and skylights.
- Schedule a cleaning for your HVAC system. Hire a professional. The technician should ensure that the fan is functioning well, the coils are clean, and that there isn’t any faulty wiring. Remember to change/clean your intake filter.
- Prune your flowers, bushes, and trees. Plant new additions in your garden. Consider adding mulch or bark. Pruning helps keep foliage away from home’s exterior, roof, and AC unit.
- Inspect your attic. Check your attic (and basement if you have one) for evidence of pests, insects, water damage, or mildew. Contact a pest control company to repair or abate any issues. Turn off the lights to check for any sign of peeking daylight; patching may be required.
- Install ceiling fans. Consider installing ceiling fans in high traffic areas. Ceiling fans operate on a wind-chill effect by pulling warm air up against the ceiling and then pushing it down against the walls to simulate a chilled breeze air circulation.
- Inspect foundation for cracks or leaks. Consult a foundation inspector if you see or suspect cracks in your foundation. Repair as needed.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. Clean out debris and leaves in your gutters.
Scheduling time to do-it-yourself or hiring a professional is well worth the time and expense in the long run as deferred maintenance can potentially be a lot more costly that preventative maintenance. And your home will look and feel fresher with a little TLC!
Debbie Austin is a realtor associate with Keller Williams, Roseville and has been helping clients buy and sell property in the area for 18 years. If you have a specific real estate question you wish to see addressed, contact Debbie at debbieaustin@kw.com or debbieaustingroup.com
