Hot Home Prep Tips To Do Before Summer Hits
The end of Memorial Day weekend unofficially marks the beginning of summer which means plenty of beach sand, pool time, and vacations. Take care of your home’s summer weather needs now, and you’ll have more time for fun in the sun with these summer home prep tips!
Things To Do Inside
Nothing can ruin your day like a broken air-conditioning unit on a summer day, so keep it running smoothly by keeping it properly maintained. Every three months change the filter, and flush out the drain lines with a cup of bleach. Clog prevention is key to proactively stop flooding or causing the system to stop cooling altogether.
Many folks rotate their ceiling fans clockwise during winter and run their fans at a low speed to pull cool air up. When the warmer summer temperatures hit, you should rotate your ceiling fans counterclockwise to push cool air down to the floor. So, how you can you tell if your ceiling fan is set for summer? Turn on the fan, stand directly under the fan blades and watch the blades rotate. The blades should move from the top left, then down to the right, and then back to the top. You should feel air movement while standing under the fan. If you do not feel air, the fan is spinning clockwise.
If you love decorating your home with plants, now is the time to re-pot them while they are actively growing. Slip the mass of roots and potting mix out of the pot, gently tease apart the roots, remove rotted pieces and replace it with fresh potting mix. If the leaves are turning pale from too much direct summer sun, move them to a slightly shadier place.
Things To Do Outside
Your exterior unit for your air conditioning needs just as much attention as your interior unit. Ensure that the outdoor unit has good air flow by cutting back any nearby vegetation and keeping any dirt, leaves or grass clippings from building up around your unit.
It’s common to expect occasional downpours from summer thunderstorms, so be sure to inspect your gutters and downspouts. Make sure that they are soundly attached to your roof, seal any gaps with silicone caulk, and remove any obstructions at the base of the downspout.
What’s summertime without breaking out the grill and charcoal? Prevent flare-ups and cooking fires by giving your grill a good cleaning. Ideally, you’d clean after every use, but you can start fresh with a grill brush, nozzle and wet rag. Now is also an appropriate time to stock up on charcoal and make sure your tools are ready for grilling season.
After checking these items off your to-do list, you’ll be ready to kick your summer into high gear! Thinking about buying or refinancing this summer? Contact one of our Loan Officers today to learn about all your options!
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