4 Summer Home Maintenance Projects

Summer is here and the temperature outside is hot! Completing a home renovation project might not be at the top of your list, but tackling some summer home maintenance projects now can help ensure the safety and efficiency of your home in the long run.

It is important that you maintain your home during the summer to ensure it can withstand the extreme summer heat. Working on your home now can also help prepare it for the approaching fall and winter months. These four summer home maintenance projects can help you increase the efficiency of your home while making it a more pleasant place to live.

1. Check Your Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner’s coils, cooling fins, and filters require consistent maintenance for the unit to function efficiently and effectively throughout the year. Neglecting air conditioning maintenance can lead to a decline in the performance of the unit and can even cause energy use to increase, making utility bills more expensive.

First, assess performance. Is the unite not working at all, is it blowing out warm air, or is it simply not cooling your home fast enough? Check your fan blower for breakage or damage that can cause low airflow and eventually poor cooling performance. Next, check the unit’s coils and filter. The performance will be affected if coils and filters are clogged with dust and other debris.

If you suspect that something may be amiss after you inspect your air conditioner, call an HVAC professional. They will perform a thorough condenser cleaning, a fan motor lubrication, diagnose any serious problems, and provide you with an appropriate plan of action.

2. Stop Mold

The summer months are the hottest months of the year, especially in the southern United States where heavy rains and humidity are common. Mold thrives in humid, hot climates and can quickly get out of control if not taken care of promptly. Luckily, there are a few things homeowners can do to help keep dangerous mold at bay.

Start by lowering the temperature on your thermostat. While some homeowners turn up their thermostat to save on energy bills, this can cause a big problem in humid areas.

Next, do not leave your air conditioner’s fan in the “on” mode. Instead, put fans on “auto” mode whenever possible. If your fan is running constantly, any moisture that is condensed on your air conditioner’s evaporator coil during the cooling process is not able to drain off. This moisture will then be blown back into your home, potentially causing mold to grow.

If you find that you have a serious mold problem after trying these simple tricks, you will want to get professional mold remediation. Exposure to mold can cause serious health problems including coughing and wheezing, throat issues, and eye irritation if left unchecked. It is important that you call a professional immediately if you suspect you have a mold problem.

3. Get Rid of Pests

With summer in full swing, you may have noticed increased pest activity in and around your home. Pests like ants, roaches, mosquitoes, and mice are prone to come out in the summer because of warmer temperatures and increased moisture. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to keep bugs and rodents at bay.

Regularly trim the bushes and shrubs that touch your home’s exterior. Insects such as termites and carpenter ants thrive in these areas and can make their way into your home through small cracks.

You can minimize mosquitoes by getting rid of all standing water sources near your home. Mosquitoes are even attracted to large bodies of water, including outdoor pools, so cover your pool when it is not in use.

To help prevent pests inside your home, keep your kitchen clean, vacuum often, keep debris away from your basement and attic, and seal around pipes. You also want to inspect your doors and windows for any cracks or openings. If you see any, fill them with caulk or another appropriate material.

Bringing in a professional may be necessary if you have a serious pest control problem. With major infestations, do-it-yourself methods are not going to make much of a difference. Insects and rodents can carry diseases and can cause structural damage, so call a professional if you notice pests appearing at an increased frequency in your home.

4. Service Your Sprinkler System

Summer is the ideal season to ensure your watering system is in top working order. Proper sprinkler maintenance can reduce your utility bills by conserving water while helping to prevent water damage to your yard as well.

It’s important to make sure your sprinklers are programmed to follow local water regulations. States such as Colorado and Georgia have strict rules when it comes to water usage, and if your system is not compliant you could face steep fines.

It’s a good idea to hire a lawn care professional to inspect your system once a year. A qualified technician knows how to properly inspect your sprinkler system and can alert you to any major issues.

Hire a Professional for Summer Home Maintenance

If you are ready to hire professional help for your summer home maintenance projects, Best Pick Reports can help you find a highly rated contractor in your area. Whether you are looking for a lawn care specialist, HVAC expert, or pest control professional, we can help you locate someone you can trust.

We know that hiring a contractor to complete a project in your home can be stressful so we take the guesswork out of this process for you.