7 Ways to Show Your Home Some Love This Summer
Summertime is here! And, if you’re like most Americans, you might feel like you’re spending more time at home than ever before. This is a perfect opportunity to show your home some love with these 7 summer-appropriate home maintenance projects.
1. Clean the outside of your home.
Have you ever noticed that the outside of your house starts to look a little dingy by the time summer rolls around? Often, your muted new home color is because of mold and mildew growth. They dirty your home’s exterior and can often end up damaging your siding, so it’s important to face your grunge head-on.
Cleaning the outside of your house may seem daunting right now, but don’t worry! Hardware stores often sell a product that you can spray on your home (with a little help from your garden hose). This product kills the mold and mildew and saves your siding from rotting.
2. Wash your windows.
Sometimes, summers are rainy. Other times, they’re dry as a bone. When you’re going through a dry spell, take advantage of your situation to clean your windows.
You’ll clean the inside and outside of the glass, but you also want to clear the debris out of your window sill. Sometimes small plants, seeds, and dirt can creep their way past your screen. Clear all of the dirt from your window sill and you’ll avoid having it blow into your home when you open your windows in the fall.
Now is also a great time to ensure your windows can easily open and close. Make sure your window slides open and closed with ease.
3. Check your smoke detectors.
If tragedy strikes, you want to be ready. This is why it’s so important to regularly check your smoke detectors and change their batteries (if necessary).
Even if your smoke detectors are hard-wired, don’t ignore this important step for home care. You still want to ensure they will go off whenever they sense smoke.
4. Scrutinize your porch/deck.
Summertime is a perfect time to scrutinize your porch and/or deck. Walk around and look at the floorboards. Note any areas where the wood appears to be rotting or nails are sticking up. Then, make the necessary repairs.
Once you’re sure all the boards are in good condition and the nails are securely in place, take some time to do a good deep-cleaning and sealing (if necessary). By spending a little bit of time taking care of your deck or porch, you’ll get more years of enjoyment from these valuable outdoor living spaces.
5. Check your air conditioner.
You probably already know your air conditioner is working hard. But, did you know there are things you can do to make its job easier?
Regularly inspect your air conditioner unit. Make sure there are no branches, leaves, or other yard debris blocking or covering the top of your AC unit. When the source for air is blocked, it means the unit will have to work much harder.
Even if you don’t have a central air conditioning unit, you still need to do some cleaning. If you have window units, wipe them down and clean the filters. If you’re using ceiling fans to keep you cool, wipe off the dust or fur that may have accumulated on the blades during the winter and spring months.
6. Clean your outdoor cooker.
One of the many perks for summertime is all of the opportunities for outdoor living. This includes moving your kitchen outdoors. While you’re spending time with your outdoor cooker, now is a great time to give it a scrub.
If you’re cleaning a charcoal grill, completely empty it, give it a good wipe-down, and then clean it inside and out with a scrubby sponge and some dishwashing soap. Make sure to thoroughly dry the grill before using it again.
However, if you’re using a gas grill, crank the flames up to high heat, close the lid, and let it set for about half an hour. Then, turn off the heat, let the grill cool, and give it a good scrub with a grill brush. Wipe down the inside of the grill when you’re done, and clean the drip pan.
7. Get your mulch on!
If you have any landscaping, summertime is perfect for mulch. When you place mulch around your plants and flowers, you prevent other undesirable plants from emerging. This can save you a ton of time by greatly reducing your need to weed.
Searching for a new home to love?
If you’re searching for a new home to love and care for, Ramseier Realty can help. Give us a call today at 816.262.8077 to speak with a member of our team or contact us through our website to schedule an appointment. We can help you find the perfect new home!
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