Home Maintenance Tips for Summer

The warmest season of the year is here, making it an ideal time to prioritize home maintenance.

Enjoy a carefree summer and start your home maintenance now. Begin by creating a checklist and deciding which tasks are a priority, which you can tackle on your own, and which are best for using handyman services. Your checklist may vary depending on local conditions and which part of San Diego you call home.

INDOOR MAINTENANCE

Change air conditioner filters and clean vents and ducts 

Change your filter at the beginning of the season and keep up on your A/C maintenance to extend the life of your unit. Various factors contribute to the frequency of changing your filter including household size, pets, frequency of use, and type of filter.

Clean and inspect your HVAC air vents, dryer vents, kitchen ventilation systems, and all other vent systems to improve airflow efficiency and prevent problems before they occur.

Inspect, rotate, and clean fans

Dust and inspect your ceiling fans to keep the air circulating in your home and keep it cool. While inspecting, keep an eye out for damaged motors, wobbling, and loose or bent blades.

Safety Inspection

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Home systems require upkeep and maintenance, especially during the summer months when overheating is more common. Check your systems and replace the batteries if needed. If your smoke detector is older than ten years, it is a good idea to replace it.

Other Various Indoor Cleaning Tasks

• Kitchen Inspection: It’s important to sanitize hidden parts of appliances to reduce power consumption. Some of the areas you can deep clean are:
  • The grease filter inside your kitchen range hood
  • Refrigerator door seal
  • Faucet traps
  • The condenser coils on the back of the fridge
• Maintain appliances 
  • Washer and Dryer: Look at the washer hoses and make sure there are no bulges, cracks, or leaks. Clean the vents and exhaust ducts on your dryer.
  • Dishwasher: Give your dishwasher a thorough clean and run a cycle with vinegar to deodorize. Next, empty the filter and use soap and water to clean.

Now, let’s look at what we can address on your home’s exterior!

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

Landscape maintenance

When performing landscape maintenance, be sure to check for insects and pests. Begin by weeding and making sure there are no dead plants or trees. Next, lay down mulch to keep weeds out and plants moist. If you have a lawn, you can dethatch and fertilize it. Consider a new landscaping project if you’re looking to spruce up your yard.

Pressure wash your patio, driveway, and outside of your house

Check for any weeds and cracks before using a pressure washer on these areas. After a full inspection, it’s time to get rid of all the grime, mold, and dirt. Pressure washers are fairly cheap to rent if you don’t have your own (you can find rentals at big box home improvement stores)! If necessary, consider re-sealing your deck or patio.

Repair exterior paint

Exterior paint can easily chip, crack or fade, and repainting will enhance the visual appeal of your home. Repainting your home will also protect it from the outside-to-inside decay process that is more likely to happen in high-temperature months.

Inspect and re-caulk doors and windows

It’s a good idea to inspect windows and doors to optimize your home’s energy efficiency.

• Windows: Check for leaks and re-caulk the seals on your windows as needed. You may also need to patch the window screens.
• Doors: Check your doors to see if you need to rebalance it or replace the seals.

While you’re at it, give your windows and doors a deep clean.

Other Various Outdoor Tasks

• Fencing: Inspect your fence for any loose boards and to determine if you need a spot repair. Reseal, reinforce, re-stain, or repaint as needed.
• Clean Gutters and Downspouts: Storms can cause debris to collect in your gutter system. Cleaning protects your home from potential damage and allows rainwater to flow correctly from your roof.
• Examine exterior siding or brick
  • Siding: Do a thorough check by looking for holes and checking areas most susceptible to rotting and water intrusion. This task may require going on the roof.
  • Brick: Check your brick tuckpointing for leaks and cracks in the foundation.
• Examine your walkway or driveway: Look for cracks, bumps, divots, or damaged edges. Sweep the space, clean and refill cracks and other damaged areas.

You can complete most of these tasks on your own, while other tasks can become more complex and may require a San Diego Handyman. When creating your summer maintenance checklist, be sure to take note of which tasks you can complete on your own and which ones you need to call for service!

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