Getting Your Home Ready for Summer: Where to Start

When the summer is finally approaching, getting your home ready can feel like much less of a chore than in the cold weather of winter.

You might be dreaming of having friends around for a BBQ or spending warm summer days in the yard.

What do you need to do to get your home ready for the summer?

How can you ensure that the seasonal change doesn’t mean too many issues around the house?

A lot of the tips on how to get your house ready for the summer are to do with the difficult conditions you might have had to deal with throughout the winter.

Replace Air Conditioner Filters

The first tip is to get some maintenance done on your air conditioner. Filters can need replacing regularly to keep your air conditioner safe and effective.

Find a company that carries out ac installation and you can be sure they will offer maintenance services too.

It makes sense to have a yearly checkup on any HVAC system to extend the lifespan of your air conditioning, anyway, and to keep it running efficiently.

Have Your Yard Inspected

Over the autumn and winter, it’s possible that trees can get damaged, as can your beloved plants. Your yard can be susceptible to extreme temperature changes, pests, or a range of other issues that can need an inspection.

An arborist can help you to work out the issues you might have with your trees and other aspects of your yard.

It might be necessary to cut down some trees or to trim away some of the cuttings. Luckily, you might even be able to use some of these for decoration, or for creating compost.

The yard might need to be reseeded, and will definitely need to be mowed after the long winter.

Clean Gutters and Drains

We’re not going to pretend that this is a fun job, but it is almost essential that you do so if you live in a part of the world where there is a lot of snow and rain through the winter.

In fact, even if you aren’t likely to get leaves and other unwanted substances building up in there, you never know if there is moss growing or unwanted debris.

It’s time to get the drains and gutters cleaned so you don’t end up facing expensive repairs.

Paint the Exterior

You don’t need to do this every year, but summer is the time to paint the exterior of your house. Wait for it to be dry, and make sure you do a thorough and even job all around the house.

This is a big job, so make sure you don’t take it on unless you have some help or know what you are getting into.

Wash Windows

A lot of the time, throughout the winter, there’s not too much point in washing the windows. You never know when the snow might come and cause streaks again.

In the summertime, it’s best to clean them both inside and out. It’s amazing how much can build up on the inside, even if it is just dust.

It’s usually a good idea to get a regular window cleaner to come and help you during the summer if you’re worried about streaks or the windows getting dirty.

Inspect Your Roof

In the winter, a lot of us forget about what can happen to the roof. If you’re in an area that gets extreme temperatures (highs and lows) then the roof might warp.

Weather like snow, and freezing conditions, can make your roof get damaged. This can mean cracks and leaks appear.

It’s not a good plan to get up and stand on the top of the roof. This can put extra pressure on the roof and cause extra damage. Check the attic first to see if there are signs that anything has been leaking.

If you have a high vantage point (even in a neighbors house if they are willing to let you) then you can inspect from afar.

Any loose tiles or damaged surfaces are a telltale sign that you have issues with your roof. It could be time to call the roofer.

Clean Ceiling Fans

Your ceiling fans probably won’t see much action over the winter. It’s time to clean them before using them again or face a mess when you eventually turn the fan on and dust gets everywhere.

You can use a pillowcase around the blades to scrape the dust into the case, or you can just use a long-handled duster.

Be careful, and make sure there’s no chance of your ceiling fan getting turned on while you’re using it. This could be dangerous. Fortunately, cleaning the ceiling fan is one of the simpler jobs to prepare for summer.

Author’s Bio

Claire Zimmerman is a content marketing specialist at Allstate Service Group. Having almost 9 years of experience in home improvement, Claire is keen on sharing her knowledge on HVAC, air filtration, and water damage issues. Claire’s articles are informative and entertaining, written both for homeowners and experienced contractors.