Maintaining your home throughout the year is key to ensuring it remains in good condition so you can avoid costly repairs. Each season is going to bring some unique challenges but all you have to do is have proper planning for each.
This will keep your home in peak condition. Take a look at some of the critical tasks for each season and how they contribute to the longevity of your home.
Spring: Refresh and Inspect
Spring is the perfect time to address any damage winter may have caused. As the weather begins to warm up you can start focusing on inspecting, cleaning and preparing your home for the new year that is ahead..
1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Winter storms can clog your gutters with debris if you are not careful. Make sure you clean out the leaves and twigs to ensure that water keeps running smoothly through this season. This will prevent overflow of your gutter that can damage your foundation and your landscaping.
2. Inspect Your Roof
You should be on the lookout for missing or damaged shingles and repair them as quickly as you can. Winter weather is going to cause a lot of wear and tear so you need to address issues early in order to prevent leaks from happening.
3. Service Your HVAC System
You should schedule a professional HVAC checkup as this is going to ensure that your system is ready for the summer. Go ahead and replace filters. You should also consider duct and vent cleaning services so that you can improve the indoor air quality and energy efficiency of the system.
4. Wash Windows and Screens
You should work at removing grime and dirt from your windows and clean your screens to let fresh air and light in. Make sure you inspect holes or tears in the screens and have them repaired as soon as possible.
Remove dirt and grime from windows and clean screens to let in fresh air and light.
5. Tidy the Yard
You should rake the leaves, remove dead plants and reseed bare spots in the lawn as well. Spring offers you an excellent time to fertilize and irrigate your yard for healthy growth in the seasons ahead.
Summer: Maintain and Protect
Summer is all about jumping into that preservation mode to keep your home looking great. At this time you should address any ongoing maintenance issues that you may be having.
This season’s focus should be on any indoor and outdoor tasks that need to get done, so you can ensure that your home stays cool throughout the season.
1. Check Outdoor Plumbing
Summer is a great time to inspect your outdoor plumbing. Make sure that you are inspecting your hoses as well as your sprinklers. Look at outdoor faucets to see if there are leaks or damage. When you sart repairing the smaller issues from now, you will save water and money during those very hot summer months.
2. Seal Windows and Doors
Examine caulking and weather stripping for gaps. This is the time to seal the cracks so that you can keep your home as energy-efficient as possible. This is going to reduce your cooling costs significantly and lower all of your cooling costs.
3. Clean and Maintain Decks and Patios
Wash your deck or patio to remove dirt and stains. You should consider resealing the wood decks in your yard. Doing this is going to protect them from any summer heat and the humidity that is happening during the season.
4. Monitor Pest Control
When there is warm weather you can be sure insects and rodents won’t be too far from your home. This is especially true if you do not seal up the gaps in your homes exteriors or keep garbage and food properly secured. You must do everything in your power to keep your yard as clean as possible.
5. Maintain Your Lawn and Garden
You should water your lawn early in the morning so you can minimize any evaporation that will take place. Too much evaporation will prevent your flowers from getting the watering they deserve.
You should always make sure that you are keeping your bushes and trees as trimmed as possible. This will prevent overgrowth that is going to damage your sidings or your roof.
Fall: Prepare for the Cold
Autumn is a critical time to ready your home for winter. If you put out a little bit of effort now it can save you some major headaches during those colder months of the year.
1. Inspect Your Heating System
Before the temperature drop you should schedule a furnace inspection. This will ensure that it operates efficiently. You should go ahead and make sure that you change the air filters too. Don’t rule out getting a professional clean to ensure that things are working correctly.
2. Clean Chimneys and Fireplaces
If you use a woodburning fireplace you should have it cleaned and inspected as soon as possible. This should be done by a chimney sweep that is certified. It will prevent creosote buildup and reduce that fire risk in your home dramatically.
3. Clear Gutters Again
Falling trees can cause your gutters to get clogged up very quickly, so it is in your best interest to prevent water from pooling and freezing which is going to cause ise dams to start forming.
4. Store Outdoor Furniture
Protect outdoor furniture by storing it or covering it with weatherproof materials. When you do this you will effectively extend the life of the furniture and reduce a lot of wear and tear that can take place overtime.
5. Check the Roof and Attic
Inspect for leaks or weak spots in your roof and attic. When you have proper insulation and ventilation you have all the things that are essential for maintaining your indoor temperatures during the cold winter season.
Winter: Protect and Monitor
Winter maintenance revolves around keeping your home warm and safe during the harshest conditions. It is one of the most critical times of the year and it is always a good idea to ramp up your efforts during this time when it comes to maintenance of your property.
1. Protect Pipes
Wrap exposed pipes in insulation to prevent freezing. Always make sure you are keeping a trickle of water flowing through your tap especially during the extreme cold. What this does is it prevents your pipes from bursting.
2. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Winter means increased indoor heating and the use of fireplaces. This mkes it important for you to check you detectors monthly. It will ensure that they are all functioning properly.
3. Remove Snow and Ice Safely
Shovel walkways and driveways promptly to prevent ice buildup. You should use eco-friendly ice melt because this is better for the environment and it is going to help protect your pets as well.
4. Inspect Windows for Drafts
Even small drafts can drastically reduce heating efficiency. Whenever you notice drafts you should make it a point to use draft stoppers. You should also consider applying insulation film to keep the cold out as much as possible.
5. Maintain Indoor Humidity
Dry winter air can cause issues for both your health and home. It is a good idea to use a humidifier to maintain the best moisture levels that you can throughout the winter. This is a very good idea if you have wooden floors or furnishings.
Year-Round Maintenance Tips
While many tasks are seasonal, certain maintenance habits should be followed all year. When you do these regularly you are going to save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.
1. Regular Cleaning
A clean home not only looks great but also functions better. You should be dusting, mopping and vacuuming when necessary to prevent build up. Dust, vacuum, and sanitize regularly to prevent buildup. A house can be a breathing ground for allergens and pests if you are not careful.
2. Routine Appliance Checks
You should start inspecting your major appliances as soon as a season hits. Try to replace parts as it becomes necessary to give them an extended lifespan.
3. Monitor Plumbing
You should check for leaks in sinks as well as the basement of your home. When you start fixing your plumbing issues promptly it is going to prevent some larger and more expensive problems from happening later on.
4. Stay on Top of Landscaping
You should try to regularly prune plants if possible, mow your lawns and clear away debris from around the foundation of your home. This will prevent pest infestations and it will also protect your home from having excess moisture.
5. Keep Tools Handy
Having a well-stocked toolbox is essential. Make sure you have all your essential tools such as a screwdriver, hammer and wrenches. This ensures that you are ready for minor repairs without having to worry about delays. Remember though that if you need professional help with anything it is best to reach out for it, to prevent costly mistakes.
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