Summer is officially here, and after a wet and windy spring season here in Dallas-Fort Worth, now is a great time to complete some preventative maintenance on your home. To have your home looking its best so you can enjoy the summer months ahead, we’ve created the following list of maintenance tasks.
Whether you’re catching up on some spring items or ready for the next project, we’ve got you covered!
1. Inspect your home’s exterior for loose or rotted siding and molding.
Now is a great time to wash the exterior surfaces of your home. Whether you choose to pressure wash or take a more gentle approach, this will help remove dirt and debris left from the past season. It will also help you to see any problem areas that you might want to address this season. If you are pressure washing, make sure to follow best practices associated with the exterior materials of your home. For example, washing wood siding at too high of a pressure may force water under the siding and cause damage beneath it. Finally, check for any holes or cracks that may allow critters to enter your home and seal as necessary!
2. Repair and repaint any chipped, cracking, or faded exterior paint.
Paint is a fairly simple fix that can have a big impact on how your home looks. Any chips or cracks can also leave your siding material exposed to potential damage, and it’s always better to conduct maintenance rather than costly repairs!
3. Pressure wash your patio.
If your patio is looking a bit dirty or uneven in color, now is a perfect time to hit it with the pressure washer and restore it to a cleaner look by removing embedded dirt and debris. Make sure to cover up any sensitive areas around your patio to prevent any potential damage.
4. Wash your windows inside and out.
Even if you washed your windows in the spring, they may need some love after the rain and storms we’ve had this past spring. While not everyone wants to increase the amount of natural light coming in during the hottest months of the year, clean windows will add visual appeal and make for an easier clean the next time around.
5. Create a lawn care game plan.
Maintaining a green, healthy lawn in the heat of a Texas summer can be a challenge. The key comes down to consistency. Fertilize regularly, prevent weeds rather than wait for them to grow, and water consistently. A good place to start with water is 2-3 times per week, but be prepared to adjust to what mother nature brings. When it comes to mowing your lawn, always aim to cut off no more than ⅓ of your grass’s height — this will prevent damage during these warmer months ahead.
6. Inspect your foundation.
Given the heavy rains we experienced in DFW this year, checking your foundation and the grading around it is important. Take a walk around your home and look for any cracks or breaks that may signal an issue. If there are areas where water is, or has been pooling around your foundation and significant erosion has occurred, you may need to add some soil to ensure proper sloping and drainage. Just as a lack of soil moisture can cause issues, so can too much.
7. Clean your gutters.
If spring storms have been knocking leaves off your trees, odds are your gutters could use a once-over. Cleaning regularly will remove added weight, and prevent a backup when the occasional summer storm rolls through.
8. Have your A/C units serviced.
If this is one task you didn’t get around to in the spring, it’s not too late. With the temperatures rising quickly, it pays to ensure your A/C units are operating properly to ensure your house stays cool, and boosting efficiency can save you money on energy bills. Also, don’t forget to change your A/C filter regularly as part of your regular maintenance around the house!
9. Check doors and windows for leaks, gaps, and broken seals.
Properly sealing your windows will help you to keep cool air in and hot air out. Take a walk around your home and check the caulking on your door and windows. A tell-tale sign of a broken window seal is condensation between window panes. One problematic window might not make a world of difference, but if the issues are widespread, contacting a professional for a second opinion may be in order.
10. Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct.
This is a good one to address each season, specifically due to the potential for safety risks. Clogged lint and dust in your vents can increase the risk of a house fire, so maintaining them can help put your mind at ease!
11. Inspect outdoor play equipment and fencing.
Cold weather and rain can wreak havoc on play equipment. If the spring rains have kept you from getting out and maintaining yours, now is a great time to conduct a bit of maintenance. Reinforce and re-seal or paint as needed to add years of life to your existing play equipment.
12. Refill cracks in your driveway or sidewalks.
Standing water and fluctuating temperatures are less than friendly to your concrete. If cracks have formed and are not resealed, you’re risking future damage from the elements, which can become costly in a hurry when compared to the cost of maintenance. Here’s a great article from Home Depot that covers how to repair a concrete crack.
13. Clean and adjust your ceiling fans.
If you’ve always wondered what the switch on your ceiling fan is for, now is the time to use it! During the summertime your home’s ceiling fans should run in a counter-clockwise direction which forces air downwards creating a cooling effect. The small switch that may be on your ceiling fan allows you to make that adjustment. While you’re up there, be sure to clean the dust off your fan blades — the build-up can be unsightly, and changing the fan direction may result in spreading that dust around the room.
14. For pool owners: keep an eye on your water level.
The water level of your pool can be just as important as its chemical composition. As temperatures rise, you will likely start to see increased evaporation and decreasing water levels. If left unchecked, the water can recede below the inlet to your skimmer and cause your pump to run dry, which can lead to costly damages and a pool that is not filtering debris. It is recommended that you maintain a water level that is halfway up your skimmer to ensure proper function.
With your list complete, kick back, relax, and enjoy the summer months ahead! If you have any maintenance tips of your own, we’d love to hear them!
