Summer is here! We love the opportunities to barbeque, play outdoors, and to spend time in nature.
There is another aspect of summer that we may not really look forward to, but is nonetheless extremely important – home maintenance. There are some things that we need to get done on a yearly basis in the warm summer months.
So how can you burn through some of these maintenance items and get back to your BBQ? Here is a quick checklist:
1. Check Your Air Conditioning
We put this one first, because… well, it’s hot out. Don’t get caught without AC during the hottest summer month. We highly recommend having a professional HVAC contractor check out your AC unit yearly, at a minimum. You don’t need to be an HVAC contractor to do a basic check though. How do you do this?
- Turn your AC unit on and make sure the inside air gets colder, but the air coming up out of the exterior unit gets warmer – this means it is performing its basic functions.
- Listen carefully. Does the exterior unit hum? That’s good. If it starts making other noises than that hum, then there may be an issue.
- Check and change the filter. This seems simple, but too many times this gets forgotten about.
2. Clean Your Grill
Grills get dirty – and a dirty grill is a dangerous grill. Grill fires and accidents happen every year – so get out there and start scrubbing. Using a grease-cutting detergent that is food safe (as well as made for grills) along with elbow grease and water is usually enough.
Also, be sure to keep your grill away from your siding, deck handrails, or anywhere else that may catch on fire or be problematic in other ways.
3. Get Rid of Pests
Since we are all outside playing in the summer months, that is when pests tend to set up shop. Be sure to contact a professional pest control operator, but there are a few things you can do yourself. For instance, if you have carpenter ants, try using Borax and powdered sugar mixed together. Be safe around pets, your eyes, etc, but the Borax and powdered sugar help treat ants.
In that same vein, this is a great time of year to start trying to keep mice out of your home. one of the best things you can do is block their entryways. Don’t just fill openings with caulk or another product though, as mice can eat right through it. Consider using copper wool to fill the opening and then put a product over it. That will keep the mice from chewing through it and keep them out for a longer period of time.
Get Your Landscaping In Shape
Keep trees and bushes cut back from your home – preferably 3′ or so if you can. This will reduce issues (including pests). Also, keep your lawn well-trimmed – but not too trim. 2 – 2 1/2 inches is the ideal height for most grass. If the weather is unusually dry, consider cutting the grass even longer.
If you like gardening in the summer, this article on Keeping Your Garden Safe From Pests will give you some ideas.