Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home

With summer officially returning in a few days, now is the right time to finish up spring cleaning and take care of seasonal maintenance. Your home is made up of structures and features that either let things come in or keep them out. Addressing trouble spots now helps reduce the chance of an emergency repair—and when the weather might not be so pleasant!

CLEAN OUT

Air and water have to come in and out of your house, but unwanted particles need to be filtered. Therefore, maintenance to keep things flowing smoothly is critical. Now is a perfect time to start a habit, and while maintenance may be more often than seasonally, it’s never too late to get started.

Range hood

The fan above your range exhausts cooking fumes, but in the process can clog with grease and particles. Check and clean your range hood filters monthly.

Dryer vents

Hot dryer air vents out of your home through ductwork that runs horizontally out of a wall or vertically out of the roof. Lint accumulates over time, which can not only impede airflow but create a potential fire hazard. Clean your dryer vents at least twice a year, either yourself with a cleaning kit or professionally.

HVAC filters and ducts

Air filters in your furnace help clean particles and allergens from the air in your home, but those same particles can clog the filter and make the system work harder and less efficiently. Depending on your filter and system, usually these should be replaced every 1-3 months. While there is no current consensus on an HVAC ductwork cleaning schedule, consider it if your air quality has been compromised (smoking, pets, a building or renovation project, etc.), or every 3-5 years. Besides cleaner air, you’ll likely see energy savings and improvement in system efficiency.

Water fixtures

Keep pipes running smoothly and sediment cleaned out by periodically running water through fixtures that aren’t used frequently, such as a laundry sink, second-bathroom tub or shower, and outdoor faucets. Also inspect them for leaks and replace damaged seals or the entire fixture if necessary.

Gutters

Regularly inspect your gutters and clear out any debris to prevent standing water and backups that can cause damage to your roof or foundation. You may need to do this more often if you have deciduous trees (that drop their leaves seasonally) close to your house. Also watch for leaking joints or damaged segments or downspouts and repair or replace them to keep the system operating smoothly.

INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NEEDED

Windows, door hinges, and garage door opener hardware

Check that all moving parts open and close smoothly, and adjust or lubricate as needed (according to the manufacturer’s recommendations). It’s also a good time to replace the batteries in your garage door remotes.

Caulking and weatherstripping

A well-sealed house is key to energy efficiency. Check all the caulking and weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows (including the door between your garage and house). Repair any gaps and replace any that has pulled away from the surface. Also inspect and repair any damaged caulking around sinks, tubs, and other plumbing fixtures.

Smoke detectors

A dead battery can be disastrous in a smoke detector, and even hard-wired smoke detectors use batteries as a backup, so if you aren’t on a battery-replacement schedule, you can start one. FEMA recommends testing your detector monthly and replacing the battery at least once a year (it’s best to do so before hearing the chirp!).

Shingles and roofing

Many roofing materials are designed to provide years (even decades) of protection to your home, but it’s important to periodically inspect your shingles and roofing materials for signs of wear or damage—especially after a storm, but also seasonally.

ALL SET FOR NEXT SEASON

Sometimes, unforeseen emergencies do arise. You can be prepared by keeping a list of trusted contractors handy—on your fridge, or in your phone, for example. But keeping ahead of repairs by following these simple maintenance tips, you can keep your house in tip-top shape year-round and reduce the need for emergency repair calls.