Following seasonal home maintenance tips helps your home maintain and improve its condition as well as value. Use this summer home maintenance checklist to prepare the outside of your home this Wisconsin summer.
Clean Your Home Exterior
- Pressure wash heavier, dirty areas such as outside walkways, driveway, brick, decking and siding. This will help get rid of any dust, dirt, tree debris, or winter salt residue.
- Clean outside windows and window screens. This is a job that doesn’t get done as often so take advantage of a warm sunny day and get outside! In addition, remove all window screens, vacuum them thoroughly and wash with warm, soapy water.
- Inspect the caulk around windows and doors on the outside of your home. Adding fresh caulk can keep unwanted bugs and pests out of your home and increase your home’s energy efficiency.
- Clean your gutters of leaves, sticks and debris to prevent clogging.
These dirty areas not only take away from your curb appeal but can lead to other problems and even have longer lasting effects on the lifespan of your home.
Assess and Remove Unwanted/Unsafe Trees
- Evaluate the trees around your home if there are any you want to remove in anticipation for summer storms or even a tornado.
- Make sure larger trees are not too close to any house. In case strong winds knock down trees, your home or a neighbor’s home could be damaged. Specifically, look at trees that are leaning already (perhaps from a previous storm), dead or that block sun from areas of your home that need sunlight.
- Also, removing trees that are close to gutters can also reduce downfall into your gutters.
Service Your Air Conditioner
- Have your air conditioner serviced at the beginning of the season to make sure the filter and fan are cleaned, and it is working properly for the season. When the weather is hot and muggy, air conditioners work hard to keep your home cool. By keeping the equipment clean and serviced regularly, it will run more efficiently and may reduce the need for costly repairs.
- Did you know: Central air conditioning units cause less fires than window units.
Prepare for Grilling Season
Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, take time to clean it to prepare for summer grilling season.
- During grilling, the grates become coated with grease. Heat the grill up when it is empty and keep the cover closed for 15 minutes to burn off the grease. Afterwards, use a wire grill brush to clean the grill grates of any additional debris.
- If you have a gas grill, clean the drip tray to remove grease and buildup. If using a charcoal grill, clean out the ash catcher.
- Check for propane leaks. Make sure the gas tank hose is secure. Signs of a leak include smelling gas or a flame that won’t light. If you observe signs of a leak, turn off both the gas tank and the grill and have the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
- When the grill is off and cool, wipe down the outside with mild soap and water to shine the exterior.
Take the time to review your home insurance each year with your agent to make sure you are properly protected. Learn what exactly is covered under a home insurance policy and what can affect your home insurance rates as you review. For more home maintenance tips, contact your local Rural Mutual Insurance agent.
