Prepare for Summer with These Home Maintenance Tips
Spring is here and Summer is well on its way! Homeowners understand how much maintenance is needed to keep their house functioning properly and looking its best. Look at these tips for spring home maintenance.
Smoke Alarms and CO2 Detectors
Keeping your smoke alarms and CO2 detectors in working order is vital for protecting yourself and your family. A change in season is a great time to test all the alarms and replace batteries as needed.
Dryer Vent
Another easily overlooked location is the dryer vent. We don’t mean the one located just inside the door which you likely clean before each new load. This is the one that is often found on the back of your dryer and is likely harder to access. But don’t overlook this. A clogged dryer vent is a major fire hazard and is worth the time and effort to maintain. You will disconnect the vent from the back of the dryer to get to the lint that needs to be removed. The vent line likely directs the air from your dryer out of your home so you will also want to remove the dryer vent cover on the exterior of your house to remove the buildup in that location.
Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause a lot of issues to your home. When the gutters are loaded with leaves water is not able to flow freely and it will overflow out the side. Best case scenario, this will make for a messy walk into the home, worst case, it can cause mold and even foundation issues.
To avoid this damage, the large debris will need to be removed by hand and then you can remove any smaller pieces with a rinse from your garden hose. Don’t forget to remove all refuse from the downspout and make sure it is releasing the water at least 5 feet from the sides of your house.
Check Those Filters
It is a good idea to keep a checklist of filters that need to be looked at each season. This list may include water filters, range hood, or air vent filters. The industry standard is to replace every 3-6 months, but make sure to check your filter's specs for the provider's recommended maintenance schedule.
Inside Walls and Outlets
It’s also important to give your home's interior walls a nice cleaning. Keep in mind the type of paint you have as some will be much hardier than others. A harsh scrubbing on paint with a flat sheen will likely cause damage whereas semigloss can withstand the moisture and rubbing. A soft damp sponge may be all that is necessary to get those walls looking new again. For tougher areas, a bit of mild soap will do the trick.
Make sure you remove outlets before washing them to avoid electrical damage or shock. And be sure they are completely dry before reinstalling them.
Other Items
Some other items you will want to clean include the exterior windows, the barbeque grill, outdoor furniture, and foundation vents. Also, examine the shower and faucet fixtures. These may need to be soaked in a cleaning solution to remove calcium and hard water buildup.
Find Your Dream Home
We hope this list of maintenance tips helps you to keep your house a happy home for many years to come. If you are looking for your dream home Ryan DiCharry is here for you. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions, we are eager to help!