11 Projects to Get Your Home Ready for Summer
With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get your home ready for the hot months ahead. Start preparing early and you can make sure your home is in tip-top shape in time for those backyard barbecues, family gatherings, and fun summer nights!
1. Have Some Good Clean Fun with the Pressure Washer!
What is it about Pressure Washing that is so darn satisfying? We're not sure but, but there's something magical about watching a winter's worth of dirt and grime get blasted off of your home's siding. We've even heard of folks using a pressure washer to clean various items from around the house – like patio furniture and car mats. So grab the pressure washer and go to work! Just make sure to hit the following spots:
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Driveway and Sidewalk
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Brick and siding
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Sidewalk and driveway
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Deck
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Patio
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Fence
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Garbage Cans
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Pool and Hot Tub
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And more!
Remember, if you don't own a Pressure Washer, you should be able to rent one at a local hardware store for about $50 / day.
2. Check and Service your Air Conditioning
No one wants to sweat through a 90 degree day without A/C. So, if you have a window unit, make sure to remove and clean the filter every year. For those of you lucky enough to have central air, a good guideline is to have the A/C unit inspected by an HVAC professional once a year to keep everything running smoothly. Remember that appointments will book up, so make sure to get a pro out early to make sure you're cool all summer.
3. Clean the Dryer Vent and Exhaust Duct
It's a good idea to clean your dryer vent once per year, and it's a pretty easy job to check off of your list. First, find the vent, which should be at the back of the dryer. Unplug the dryer and move it away from the wall. Disconnect the duct (you may need a screwdriver) and use your vacuum to clean all around and inside the hole in the back of your dryer. Reconnect everything, plug the dryer back in, and you're good to go!
4. Update Your Homeowners Insurance
Inflation has caused prices to skyrocket everywhere - especially in housing! Building material costs, for example, have risen 31.3% from early 2020 to early 2022. That means if you haven't changed your homeowners insurance policy, you may not have enough coverage to replace your home in the event of a disaster. Now is a great time to update your coverage. Check this site to shop dozens of carriers in your area to find the lowest price.
5. Inspect your Kids' Bikes and Any Outdoor Play Equipment.
Summer fun means the kids will be outside. Make sure to check your outdoor play equipment to make sure it's 100% safe. It's also a good time to do some standard bicycle maintenance like checking your tires and brakes.
6. Check Your Roof
Summer heat and summer thunderstorms can really beat up your roof. Take some time before it gets too hot to check your roof for missing shingles, mold or anything that might look like an issue. If it turns out that you think you need a new roof, get started with that project right away so that it'll be done in time for fall. Check here for great deals on local roofers.
7. Mulch Your Flower Beds
Most people think of gardening as a springtime activity, but summer is also a great time to work outside. One pro tip is adding mulch to your garden beds, which creates a clean appearance, reduces weeds and locks in moisture, keeping plants healthy during the hot summer temperatures.
8. Start Home Renovations
Summer is a great time to start home renovations! Without school, parents find the schedule much more flexible and it's much easier to focus on the project. Thanks to the increase in home prices, now is a great time to tap into your home equity in order to improve your home. There are many great programs available to help homeowners use their equity to improve their home.
9. Wash Your Windows Inside and Out
It's amazing how much brighter your home will be with clean windows.
The first step is to make sure that you clean your windows on a cloudy day. Bright sunshine creates a glare on the glass, which makes it harder to judge how clean they are and can also dry out the cleaning solution before you've had a chance to wipe it off.
Once you've picked the day, grab your materials:
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Bucket
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Sponge
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Squeegee
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Window cleaning solutions or vinegar
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Newspaper or brown paper
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Microfiber cloth
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Dry lint free cloth or drying pad
First, wipe the window frames down with a wet sponge (you may need to use some dish detergent)
Next, pray the glass with your window cleaner or vinegar solution and use the squeegee to clean the glass using the "S-Shape Technique," a method of snaking a squeegee from side to side down a window in the shape of an "S" to avoid leaving streaks on the surface.
Use the newspaper pages to dry the windows. Remember, that it may take two passes to get the windows clean, especially if you haven't washed them in a while.
10. Clean out Your Faucet Traps (those are the small screens on the end of your faucets)
In a classic case of small things that have a big impact, cleaning your faucet traps can improve your water pressure, reduce your risk of lead exposure, remove debris, and even save on water bills! To clean a faucet trap, just unscrew the end of the faucet with a pair of pliers and remove the trap. Flush out the debris, and soak the parts in vinegar for 5 minutes to make sure everything is extra clean. Put everything back together and the job is done!
11. Go Solar for $0 Down
It's summer, which means the sun is out! Cut your power bill and take advantage of Government Solar Incentives tht are helping homeowners install solar for $0 down. You'll be able to see the benefits immediately and may even be able to cut your power bill to zero. Find solar installers in your area. Just enter your zip code to get started.
Posted in Homeowner Tips
