Home maintenance never takes a vacation, especially during the summer months. Here are tips and resources to help you keep up-to-date.
Summertime is the season of recreation, relaxation, and road trips. It’s also the perfect time to catch up on home maintenance. Whether you own your home or are renting, take an overview of the systems in your home – big and small – to ensure you are living in a house that is sound, energy-efficient, and healthy for all inhabitants.
Your home is one of your biggest investments – whether you own and are paying a mortgage or rent and have a hefty security deposit – and a little TLC goes a long way. Here are a few of our best suggestions for keeping your home maintenance on track this summer and into the rest of the year
Checklists & Budgeting Trackers
While every home is unique, there are some standard maintenance items that can be found at every type of property. There are many checklists available to keep up with projects big and small, including these from Better Homes & Garden, Apartment Therapy, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Apps
Dwellin calls itself “a sustainability company that helps U.S. homeowners tackle home maintenance and preserve more of the planet for future generations.” The app estimates annual home maintenance costs and carbon emissions, and then shows residents steps they can take to reduce both.
If you’d like to delegate home maintenance tasks to your own personal property manager, check out Birdwatch (a local company!) which offers concierge services for homeowners.
Centriq not only helps homeowners with DIY appliance inspections, it also offers home maintenance tips and calendars as well as a way to save important home documents.
If you’re looking to sell your home, Curbio is one company that allows you to make repairs now and pay for it at settlement. This gives owners the flexibility to prepare their home for top-dollar offers while deferring the costs. Bonus points that they are a local Maryland company!
To-Do This Summer
Before we get too much further into July, make a note to check the status of these important systems as soon as possible:
HVAC – It’s not uncommon for bills to rise during the sweltering mid-Atlantic summer months when air conditioning is running almost constantly. But if you see a sudden spike, it could be a sign that something isn’t working properly.
- Change air filters at least every three months, more often if there are allergens such as pet hair or plant pollen present.
- Evaluate temperatures and humidity levels throughout different rooms of the home, monitoring for areas that aren’t cooling properly.
- Listen for sounds such as banging or knocking that could indicate overworked or broken pieces within the system. You should be able to hear the system kick on and off, with a quiet, regular hum while it’s working – but anything else should be investigated.
- Overhead fans are designed to change direction to push cool air down in the summer and pull warm air up in the winter. Check that your blades are set counterclockwise for summer (just remember to change it back to clockwise when it gets cooler).
- Keep vents clear from furniture, debris, and dirt.
- Most professionals recommend servicing HVAC twice yearly, which should include a thorough cleaning of coils, drains, and any system elements; inspection of connections, motor operations, and thermostats; checking refrigerant levels and pressure; testing safety controls; and lubricating moving parts.
Roof – From thunderstorms to nesting insects to scorching temperatures, a roof sees a lot of action over the summer.
- Heat and humidity can cause the expansion and contraction of roofing material. Replace old, cracked, or missing shingles, especially after strong storms.
- Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris to avoid the possibility of flooding and leaks.
- Trim back trees to reduce the chance of falling branches.
- Check eaves for signs of infestation from critters and insects. Not only can they potentially enter the home and injure inhabitants, but they can also cause structural damage if left unchecked.
- If it seems like the home stays warm no matter what, it could have inadequate insulation and ventilation, which can lead to condensation, humidity, and poor air quality.
Plumbing – It’s not the flashiest system in your house, but from outdoor sprinklers to increased showers and kiddos home from school, your water and pipes could be working overtime.
- Check nozzles and sprayers to ensure they are clear from sediment buildup, increasing flow efficiency and reducing the spread of bacteria and mildew.
- Same for drains! A homemade batch of baking soda & vinegar is a monthly must to keep drains flowing properly.
- Septic systems require attention, especially in the summer when they are put to maximal use. There are some best practices that occupants can do on their own – such as limiting waste and solvents that can kill healthy bacteria at work, and a professional septic servicer should be on your call list this summer for a routine clean-up.
- Try to limit water usage as much as possible to avoid overworking the system.
Electrical – Energy efficiency is the name of the game during the summer, both to keep your bills low and not overtax municipal grids.
- Check for cracks around doors and windows to ensure no cool air is getting out and no humid air is getting in.
- Make sure that anything that has a vent – range hoods, dryers, HVAC – is kept clean and clear.
- Test your ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets monthly. Same for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Consider installing exterior lights and security systems if you plan to be away for extended vacations.
- Use the scheduling function on your thermostat for cooling efficiency when people are most likely to be home, and not waste electricity on an empty home.
- Many homeowners are investing in home generators to keep things running in the event of power disruptions from storms.
If you need a professional to address some of the systems in your home, I have recommendations at the ready. We care about your home investment as much as you do and are ready to help you protect it!
