Summer is upon us and there is no time like the present to prep your property for the best summer yet!
The Aitken Home Team presents thirteen steps to creating a more comfortable, budget-friendly summer around the house:
Inside
1. – AC prep is crucial to a successful, cool summer. Nothing is more irritating than a non-functioning AC unit on a 110-degree day. Be sure to have your AC serviced each spring and change the filter quarterly. Use bleach to flush out drain lines and trim back outdoor vegetation in order to ensure your AC has room to breathe.
Related: “5 Steps to Summer Savings”
2. – Replace those batteries! Be sure to change all smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries every six months. If your detectors and alarms are old than ten years, replace them entirely!
3. – A little rotation is good for the fan! Make sure your ceiling fan blades are rotating counterclockwise and pushing air down and not up. Most ceiling fans have a switch on them allowing you to reverse their direction. If yours do not, it might be time for a new fan.
4. – Spring clean! Pull out the stove, fridge, dishwasher, and other major appliances and deep clean behind each one. It’s a dirty job that will worsen with each passing year. Glove up and scrub down!
Related: “7 Thing that Aren’t Feeling the Love”
5. – Check your dryer vents! Make sure they are not clogged with lint and pose a fire risk. Purchase a vent cleaning kit and get to work!
6. – Replace your thermostat with a smart thermostat. Reduce energy costs with this purchase and enjoy a system that responds to your voice, can be operated from your phone, and provides you with weather updates while diverting cool air to occupied rooms. You’ll be glad you did it!
7. – Now is the time to spruce up those houseplants! Give them a fresh start by replacing old soil with a new potting mix and a larger, decorative pot. Plants need to breathe, too!
Outside
8. – Don’t wait! Plant new grass seed or sod wherever needed. If you wait too long, you will be overcome with aggressive weeds. Be sure to remove existing weeds prior to planting new grass and keep the area heavily irrigated for a week or two.
9. – Clean out gutters and downspouts and make sure they are attached where necessary. Seal gaps and address any obstructions.
10. – Unclog sprinklers and replace broken heads.
11. – Clean up your lawnmower, edger, weed whacker, and other yard appliances. Replace spark plugs, air filters, change oil, sharpen blades and give all machinery a solid scrub down.
12. – Inspect your property for beehives and hornet nests. Remove them now before they become larger and form a more aggressive colony. If you are allergic or unsure as to how to proceed, call a professional or spray at night when hives are less active. Be sure to wear long sleeves, pants, socks and shoes, a hat, and goggles so as to protect areas from stings.
13. – Most importantly, clean up your grill! Reduce fire risks and scrub the old Weber down with a grill brush, nozzle, and wet rag. Stock your charcoal supply (or gas tank) and load the freezer for the season!