Summer brings green grass and tall hedges. There’s no time like the summer to start tackling some items on that home maintenance checklist, especially with the peak of hurricane season quickly approaching. There are all sorts of little things you can do to spruce up your home, both inside and out, while the weather is warm. Take the time to perform some basic home maintenance tasks and help keep your home protected.
- Inspect All Points Of Entry: Make sure all door locks are functioning properly, and all windows latch correctly. Repair any damaged or broken latches.
- Check for Water Damage: Water damage can cause areas to rot and become unsafe. Make sure the spring showers don’t bring unwanted damage. By checking the hoses to your washer, refrigerator, toilets, dishwasher, and/or icemaker and dehumidifier for any signs of leaks, cracking or wear and tear, you’ll be able to quickly access and fix any damage you may have. You should replace these hoses once every 3-5 years with non-burst hoses, but it is important to regularly check for any signs of leaking.
- Grill Safely: Only use the grill outdoors; position the grill well away from siding, and deck railings, out from under eaves and overhanging branches, and a safe distance from play areas and foot traffic. A good rule of thumb would be enforcing a 3-foot “kid/pet-free zone” around the grill, keeping them away from potential dangers.
- AC Tune-Up: Summer is the best time to schedule an AC tune-up with a professionally licensed HVAC Contractor, who inspects refrigerant levels and ensures your fan is functioning well. You can keep your AC bill running smoothly by changing out your air filters often. Experts advise changing them once a month when using your unit on a daily basis – as we all use AC in the Florida heat all year long.
- Roof Check: assessing your roof regularly will assist in finding a small problem before it becomes a large, leaky one. Based on the type of roof, you may also want to clean your roof to avoid any permanent water damage.
- Check All Lighting: Are all motion lights in working order? Make sure all pathways are well-lit and shine a light on all points of entry.
- Trim Trees: Trim all of the overgrown trees that could potentially get blown over onto your roof, power lines or near anything that the tree could destroy like a gazebo or screened in enclosure. Trimming your trees now will also help you with clean up if there is a hurricane this season.
- Keep lawn maintained: Keeping your lawn mown and hedges trimmed provides a natural line of sight into your home, which helps deter burglars.
Maintaining your home can be one of the simplest ways to prevent claims and deter crime! We hope these tips help you enjoy more of your summer!