5 Home Maintenance Tasks To Tackle in September

Fall is coming, protect your investment and keep your family comfortable with these five home maintenance tasks to tackle in September. A few DIY inspections and the help of a professional home maintenance contractor can give you the peace and safety you need to enjoy the last few weeks of summer.

1. Prune Your Landscape

Your landscape is likely your pride and joy in the summer months. You have probably already trimmed your bushes, planted flowers and mowed and watered your lawn many times this summer, but fall is a good time to prune your landscaping as well. Routine pruning encourages your plants and flowers to grow thicker and healthier.

Ornamental  Plants and Shrubs

After the first year of growth, most plants can use a pruning to remove up to one-third of the total stems. You should then prune any older stems over the next two years, which will help the plant continue to grow new, healthy stems.

Trees

Pruning a tree is a timeless art. Careful pruning can help create a thriving, living part of your landscape, but improper techniques can disfigure or even harm your trees. Here are some common areas to prune on a growing tree:

• Small branches growing from the base of the trunk or roots
• Any branches that create an acute angle with the main trunk
• Diseased, damaged or dead limbs
• Branches that interfere with each other
• Sagging limbs

Since pruning trees often requires a climb up the ladder, this may be a job for an arborist, or tree trimming professional.

Pruning can also keep pests away, improve your curb appeal and create a pleasant outdoor space for your family.

2. Inspect Plumbing Connections

Maintaining your plumbing system is the best way to prevent water damage. As summer comes to a close, it’s a good idea to inspect your water and drain lines. Perform these simple checks in the late summer and you can be confident they’ll be ready for the colder weather to come.

Washing Machine Connections

Your washing machine has hot and cold water lines running to it. Older machines use black rubber hoses, while newer machines use braided steel lines. Check for any signs of water leakage, such as pooling water, discolored drywall or bulging hoses.

Air Conditioner Drain Lines

A key part of air conditioner maintenance is ensuring proper drainage. Your air conditioner condenses moisture in the air as it runs all summer long, which normally runs safely through drains lines.  But a damaged or clogged line could cause water to pool near your foundation or in your basement.

Find your drain line and check to see that water is moving through it while your air conditioner is operating. It shouldn’t be a significant amount of water, but you should see some moisture draining.

If you’re having difficulty accessing the connections, or if you discover a leak, a local plumber can assist you in inspecting and repairing any water line damage.

3. Ensure Clear Ventilation

Prepare your home for cooler temperatures and more indoor time by inspecting your ventilation system.  You can improve your ventilation by changing filters and cleaning vents. These simple steps can improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC system and improve your indoor air quality.

Air Conditioner Filter

Air conditioners have filters that prevent pollutants and allergens from entering your home. If you haven’t changed your air conditioner filter yet this summer, it’s time to do it. Most filters need to be changed every 90 days, and households with pets should change their filter every 20-45 days. Check the owner’s manual from the manufacturer of your AC unit before setting a maintenance schedule.

Bathroom and Range Hood Ventilation

Exhaust fans remove excess moisture and heat from your home. After taking a shower or cooking dinner, excess moisture is drawn through bathroom and range hood ventilation systems. Over time, these vents can become blocked with debris, or fans can wear out.

If you’re having difficulties locating your exhaust vents, have an HVAC professional inspect them for you. These vents can exit through your walls or roofline, so it may be difficult to find and clean them.

4. Clean Behind Your Refrigerator

When was the last time you moved your refrigerator to clean behind it? This often-neglected area of your home can quickly trap dust, food scraps, moisture and other debris. These contaminants can encourage mold growth in your kitchen. Take a little time and move your refrigerator, then vacuum and mop the area. If your refrigerator has a water line, this is also a great time to check for leaks or any indications of water damage on the floor or the wall.

5. Remove Debris From Your Gutters

If you’ve had heavy thunderstorms this summer, or still expect some in September and October, schedule a gutter cleaning service for your home.

Cleaning your gutters doesn’t typically require specialty tools, but standing on a ladder and removing mud, branches, leaves and other debris can be a time-consuming and strenuous task. It can also be dangerous if you don’t have the proper ladder size to safely reach your gutters.

A professional maintenance contractor will remove any debris and inspect your gutter and roof. If there are any signs of damage, work with a contractor who is qualified and experienced in prompt repairs to avoid any weather-related damage before winter approaches.

Prepare for fall with a little DIY work and some professional maintenance services.  Find a maintenance professional in your area with the help of Best Picks Reports to efficiently check these tasks off your summer maintenance list. Select a highly rated contractor near you to keep your trees pruned, your drain lines cleared and your summer full of memories.