With the warmer weather knocking on our doors, it may be time to start preparing your home for the upcoming summer months. There are different tasks that you need to go through to ensure that your home is ready for the summer. If you are unsure what these tasks are, or how to go through them properly, then the following guidelines are going to help you ensure your home is summer-ready in no time.
Trim Your Garden Plants
While in the winter months your plants may not be in the best condition, they still need to be cared for. By the end of winter, you will find your plants looking subpar. To ensure that they bloom properly during warmer weather, you need to trim them. Trimming and pruning your plants allows them to grow stronger and healthier in a shorter amount of time. Of course, not all plants will require trimming before warmer seasons are upon us, so it is important to find out what plants you are going to be trimming and which you need to leave alone.
Check, Repair, and Upgrade Air Conditioning
If your AC is not doing a good job or is too loud, then you may want to consider upgrading your system. There are different air-conditioning options out there. You can get a single AC unit for one room, or a ducted system for your entire home instead. There are definite benefits for both options. Knowing what you need, the budget you are working with, and considering different factors can help you figure out what AC system will work best for your home.
Clean Your Fridge
During warmer weather, you will need your fridge to be in full working condition so that your food doesn’t spoil over time. Most people believe cleaning their fridge entails only cleaning the interior, however, to ensure that it is working in the best condition possible, you will also need to get rid of the grease piling up on coils. Cleaning coils can seem intimidating if you do not know what to do, but there are various tutorials out there that can help you out. You can also call a professional for some advice so that you do not end up ruining your fridge using the wrong products. If your fridge is already showing signs of not cooling your food well, then you need to check since it may just need a deep cleaning.
Inspect Home Exterior
Most people pay attention to the inside of their home when warmer seasons are getting closer. However, the exterior is just as important. With summer approaching, you should take a look at your roof to find if there are any shingles loose or missing. You should also take a chance to clean gutters that are possibly full of debris and leaves from previous seasons. This is also the best time to look for signs of paint chipping off or of your house’s exterior needing a revamp.
Take a Look at the Plumbing
If you live in an area with a lot of snowstorms, your pipes could easily freeze or break. When warmer weather approaches, you need to check your outdoor plumbing setup to ensure that you do not end up with broken or damaged water pipes. If the water pressure is not as strong as it should be, or if there are any kind of issues cropping up, you may need to get a professional to come and check everything out for you.
Remove Carpets and Rugs
Carpets and rugs can generate heat, especially if they are made of thick material. To have a cooler home in the summer, you should gather any unnecessary carpets and rugs and store them away until autumn and winter are approaching. Warmer weather can promote the spread of insects and other microorganisms in your carpets. Cleaning them and storing them somewhere dry will help you get rid of any dangerous creatures living in them and it will cool down your home considerably.
Clean Your Windows
Taking care of your windows is going to prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of dealing with rotting furniture, or worse if your home has wooden flooring installed. Getting rid of the ice before it creates a mess, drying your windows, and then putting them back in place can seem like a time-consuming chore, but it certainly beats the alternative of neglecting them and suffering consequences.
Clean up your home’s interior
Clutter is a big factor in how hot your interiors get. It may block ventilation, which may intensify the summer’s already heated air. Having said that, organizing your house might help you better deal with severe weather. By getting rid of items you no longer need, you may achieve this. It could consist of outdated clothing, furniture, broken technology, extra kitchenware, and food storage containers. As a consequence, the house will be clear of clutter and prepared for the summer’s negative impacts.
Think of a smart thermostat
In a home, a thermostat controls the temperature. using a smart thermostat, you can regulate the room’s temperature using a remote or even a mobile device. During the summer, you may use this smart gadget to reduce the indoor temperature. On the other hand, you may lower the temperature to save money on cooling.
Create a garden in the backyard
The summer is the ideal season to take care of plants and give them visibility in your house, so if you have been putting off your aspirations to become a certified plantito or plantita, now is the time. A few indoor plants provide a number of valid advantages, including the removal of air pollutants, an improvement in the homeowners’ moods, and an improvement in the general aesthetic of your interiors. A backyard garden can also assist to lessen the negative impacts of the summer heat. Also, the whole family will enjoy this activity. So, begin by making an investment in a few seedlings, then mulch your garden beds to keep the soil wet and prevent weed growth.
Do not forget about your gutters and roofs
A cleaning procedure frequently overlooks your roof and gutters. However, when leaves build up on your roof, they may block your gutters, cause leaks in your walls, or even damage the foundation of your house. Include your roof and gutters on your list of weekly home maintenance tasks to avoid this from happening. The roof that covers you and your family has to be protected from the outside elements as well.
Inspect Outdoor Plumbing
Checking sure your outside spigots and irrigation system survived the winter is best done in the spring. Turn on the water after removing insulators, also known as freeze caps, from outside faucets. A sluggish trickle might indicate that there is a problem with your pipes. If the water is not flowing as it should call a plumber.
If you have an in-ground irrigation system, follow the specific instructions in our free irrigation checklist, or, if you do not feel confident handling maintenance yourself, hire a professional. A tune-up will guarantee that your system is running effectively.
Start turning your ceiling fans in the other direction
In the summer, you want your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise so that cold air may be pushed down instead of the other way around. If you reside in a region with excessive humidity, rotating your fans in this direction also aids in removing moisture from the air.
Generally speaking, if you are operating your air conditioning, you want your ceiling fans to be spinning counterclockwise. This will make it possible for you to chill your house more effectively, even if you have to turn the AC up a few degrees. Run fans at a low speed to create a cozy downdraft and assist in the redistributing cold air around the space.
Test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
As you prepare a house for summer, it is a good idea to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors even if you have not heard that irritating chirping noise yet. This is due to the fact that, in addition to low batteries, collected dust may prevent these vital detectors from functioning properly, and it is usually preferable to solve this issue sooner rather than later.
Test and thoroughly dust your alarms. If the batteries need to be changed, make sure you do that now as well.
Change up the seasonal items
Are those thick throw blankets on the couch really necessary in the summer? What about those candles on the mantel that are very spiced? Go through your home before summer and gather all of your fall and winter furnishings so you can store them for the time being. While you’re at it, remove summer accessories like lighter duvets and blankets, and if they haven’t been used in at least six months, give them a fast washing.
Prepare for bugs that like the warmer weather
There are numerous things you can do to get your house ready for the summer and lessen the number of ants, spiders, and other obnoxious pests that will invade. Everywhere pipes or conduit enter your home, thoroughly check the interior and close off any gaps there. Go outdoors and perform the same checks for any gaps or cracks.
To help avoid mosquitoes, locate any areas where water may collect, such as unused flowerpots and another catch-alls, and remove them. You might want to think about getting your yard treated by a licensed pest control firm if your location is prone to severe mosquito infestations. These treatments, which are normally administered once a month, greatly reduce the discomfort of backyard summertime activities.
Pet Safety
Due to their inability to perspire to stay cool, cats, dogs, and other pets can suffer catastrophic effects from heat and humidity. As a result, you should never leave your pet in a vehicle and make sure that any creature you bring outside has access to both shade and fresh, cool water at all times. Additionally, only walk dogs during the colder parts of the day.
Animals, like people, are more vulnerable to excessive heat if they are extremely young, elderly, or have other health issues. You may identify issues before they worsen by being aware of the symptoms of heat stroke in pets and whether your pet’s breed is prone to respiratory problems.
Consult a veterinarian right away if your pet:
- Is there excessive drooling or panting
- Has gums that are red
- Has trembling in their muscles or a shaky stride
- Not enough urine being produced
- Unable to be roused
Now that you are aware of how to prepare your home for the summer, you can start creating a checklist and go through it immediately. Using these seven above-mentioned tips, you will be able to enjoy a stress-free summer since your home will be in the best shape. They will definitely save you a lot of hassle down the road.