Summer’s here! Be sure to get out there and live it to the fullest, as it’ll be over before we know it.
Summer is among the easiest seasons to take care of your homeowner to-do list as well. And that includes completing your regular maintenance checks and balances to help prevent the most common – and also costly – problems from occurring. Be sure to take notes and snap pictures of anything you’d like to share with an expert for advice or to help monitor the situation moving forward.
Of course, if you don’t feel comfortable performing some of the summer home maintenance tasks listed below, or you don’t have the equipment on hand to properly complete each section, you may want to call in a professional handyperson.
We recommend having an annual home maintenance inspection to ensure you remain informed of any issues that may creep up in your home. After all, addressing issues early is the key to avoiding hefty repair bills!
The following checklist will help guide you in keeping your home a safe and healthy place to live this summer and throughout the coming year.
Summer Checklist:
- Examine basement pipes for condensation or dripping, and take corrective action as necessary (eg, reduce humidity and/or insulate cold water pipes)
- Check air conditioning systems
- Inspect basement floor drain to ensure trap contains water. Refill with water if necessary
- If you have a plumbing fixture that isn’t used frequently, such as a laundry tub or spare bathroom sink, tub or shower stall, briefly run some water to ensure water remains in the trap
- Deep clean area rugs and carpeting
- Vacuum bathroom fan covers
- Disconnect clothes dryer duct and vacuum lint from the duct, areas surrounding your dryer and inside your dryer’s vent hood
- Check security of all guardrails and handrails
- Test your windows’ ease of use by opening and closing them. Lubricate as required
- Inspect window putty on outside of glass panes and replace if needed
- Lubricate door hinges and tighten screws as necessary
- Lubricate garage door hardware and ensure it’s operating properly
- Lubricate automatic garage door opener motor, chain, etc, and ensure auto-reverse mechanism is properly adjusted
- Check and replace damaged caulking and weather stripping around windows and doorways, including the doorway between the garage and home
- Inspect electrical service lines for secure attachment where they enter the home, and make sure there isn’t water leaking into the house along the electrical conduit
- Check exterior wood siding and trim for signs of deterioration. Clean, replace or refinish as necessary
- Check for and seal any holes in exterior cladding that could be an entry point for small pests such as bats, squirrels and birds
- Remove any plants that contact, or roots that penetrate, the siding or brick
- Safely climb up on the roof, or use binoculars, to check its general condition, noting any sagging that could indicate structural problems requiring further investigation from the attic. Check the condition of shingles and replace/repair as necessary. Examine all roof flashing, such as that located at chimney and roof joints, for any signs of cracking or leaking
- Sweep chimneys connected to any woodburning appliance or fireplace, and inspect them for problems
- Check chimney cap and caulking between the cap and chimney
- Repair driveway and walkways as needed
- Replace or repair damaged steps that pose a safety risk