Jul 23in GENERAL
Summer Home Maintenance
Summers in our area are probably the best kept secret of the Northwest. The good weather usually starts after the 4th of July and we can’t get enough of it. While we want to spend our time out on the water paddle boarding or sitting on a boat in the middle of Lake Washington it’s also the best time to maintain the outside of your home. Here are some simple home maintenance items to knock out now while the sun is out.
Service HVAC equipment
This is the time of year when you will remind yourself of what a great idea investing in a heat pump was! Make sure all your hvac equipment (including your furnace) is working properly and at full capacity. Don’t forget to change your furnace filter!
Pest control
Critters don’t discriminate. If your home is new or old, it’s important to protect your home against unwanted guests. Spray or spread insect control. Also, close off your home to non-pet animals.
Wash down your porch & driveway
You should sweep the porch and driveway thoroughly then wash it with a cleaner or pressure wash to remove any embedded dirt or debris.
Wash your windows & screens
Who wants dirty windows? All it takes is some warm soapy water.
Check for outdoor leaks
Check all outdoor faucets and irrigation lines. If you didn’t winterize this past fall or winter, you may be looking at some expensive problems. Check your hose for any holes or tears- even a small hole can send your water bill sky high.
Check your fence
Re-stain every couple of years. Reseal or repair if necessary. Don’t let shrubs or bramble overpower your fence by cutting them back regularly.
Yard Drains
Rock swales and catch basins serving to channel lot surface water should be checked monthly during dry times and cleaned of debris to promote unobstructed water flow. Rock swales easily clog with landscape materials. A high-pressure hose can effectively clean out the system. If severely clogged, removal of the rock and retrenching may be required.
Have a BBQ
Invite your friends and family over. It’s summer!
