5 Projects to Add to Your Summer Home Maintenance ChecklistSummer is the season when things heat up and people slow down. In between the backyard BBQs, pool parties, and other fun in the sun, make sure you set aside some time to do these five essential summer maintenance projects on your checklist!
If hot air from outside seems to leak into your home, the culprit could be old weather stripping. This stripping around the door frame wears down over time, creating gaps where cool air flows out and hot air flows in. According to This Old House magazine, replacing the weather stripping can save 10%-15% on your electric bill.
This is one simple task that most people forget about, but all it takes is a spare hour one afternoon! Once you’ve changed the filter, you’ll notice the difference immediately. The improved circulation throughout your home will help you breathe easier through the summer months, keeping pollutants and dust particles out of the air. For the average household, these filters should be replaced every three months – every two months if you have a pet, and every month if you have allergies.
For basement owners, a steady leak from the plumbing in the basement can cause thousands of dollars of damage later on if left unchecked. Check your basement for musty smells or dark water stains on the walls. If you notice any signs of leaking, you’ll want a professional to come assess the situation. If you want a long-term for plumbing savings for energy, more sustainable upgrades could be the perfect solution. Plumbing specialists at FH Furr recommend homes looking to upgrade their plumbing should opt for a tankless water heater installation to save space, lower energy costs, and make water heater maintenance more manageable for the long term.
This summer, you’re undoubtedly working on everything AND the kitchen sink! With all of the cooking and dish-cleaning this summer, you want to be sure that your sink plumbing is working perfectly. There’s nothing more embarrassing than having people over for dinner when your sink is clogged or there are foul smells coming up through the pipes. Also, make sure to never pour grease, coffee grounds, or fats down your garbage disposal – these will slowly clog up your drains and be a huge hassle to clean out later! Demand Media’s Home Guide suggests that if you don’t want to use harsh chemicals like bleach, try the green solution of baking soda and vinegar to clear your pipes, or – better yet, simply have a professional check and repair your plumbing.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly for the health and well-being of your family, pets, and visitors this summer, make sure your AC and heating units are in tip-top shape to handle the heat of the summer and the harsh winter chills. Not only would a malfunctioning unit be an inconvenience when you need it, but it could also cause damage to your home and your health. Make sure to get these serviced by a professional and you could avoid a majority of the common air conditioning problems in the future!
These “must do” summer projects will help ensure your home is safe and running as efficiently as possible throughout the hot summer months.
Telmo Bermeo Real Estate Broker
Small Business Owner, specializes in marketing homes for sale in the Atlanta Area by using the most up to date Internet Marketing Tools.
Real Estate Broker serving the Atlanta Metro Area, for over 12 years. If you are planning to buy or sell your home in Atlanta, call Telmo Bermeo at 770-309-6417
