Did you know that there are things you can do every season to prepare and maintain your home? Summer brings beach days, outdoor adventures, and fun in the sun; but it also brings thunderstorms, bugs, hotter temperatures, and sometimes more moisture depending on where you live. There are many things you can do to prepare your home for summer! Follow our tips below to learn more about ways to Clean and Refresh, take Preventative Measures and complete essential Seasonal Maintenance. These recommendations can make a big difference for your home’s long-term health and energy efficiency!
Clean and Refresh
We’re all familiar with Spring Cleaning, but what about summer? Follow the tips below to start the summer off with your home feeling clean so that you can make the most of the season.
1. Do your spring cleaning
This is a great way to reduce allergens and get rid of dust. While you are at it, open the windows and let the fresh air in to make your home feel extra refreshed! Use our Ultimate Home Spring Cleaning Checklist to get started.
2. Wash windows
Remove grime from the previous season by washing the inside and outside of your windows. If you don’t feel like going to the store, you can use distilled vinegar and hot water!
3. Give your grill a deep clean
If you own a grill you will want to make sure to give it a deep clean before hosting your first summer barbecue. Follow this guide from HGTV if you don’t know where to start.
4. Clean patio furniture
Make sure to give your patio furniture a refresh by cleaning cushions and rinsing surfaces that have collected grime during the previous season.
5. Clear out gutters
Remove any debris from your gutters that built up during the winter and spring months. That way, when it rains your gutters are clear and ready to flush water away from your home.
6. Pressure wash walkways
Summer is a great time to pressure walk your sidewalks, walkways, and driveway. Doing so will remove environmental build up from the previous season and make you house look fresh!
Preventative Measures
Check out the list below for recommendations to help keep your home in top shape during the summer months. It’s no secret that energy bills often go up in the summer as a way to cool down from the heat! These preventative measures can help you save on energy costs, protect your home from floods, and stop mold and mildew before they become a problem.
7. Inspect siding for post winter rot
Check your home’s siding and see if the wood is rotting or the paint is peeling. Summer is a great time to refresh these areas of your home!
8. Tune up HVAC system
Home Depot suggests tuning up your HVAC system at least twice a year to make sure everything is working properly. Regular maintenance can prevent larger problems that could be costly.
9. Install a smart thermostat
Smart thermostats are great at efficiently regulating temperatures in your home and saving energy. Plus, many smart thermostats make it convenient to adjust temperatures when you are away on vacation!
10. Watch your indoor humidity
Consider purchasing a dehumidifier if you live in a state like Florida where humidity soars during the summer. This will allow you to reduce moisture and prevent damage to your home.
11. Purchase flood insurance
Summer storms may cause unexpected flooding even in areas that aren’t marked as flood zones. Many insurance plans don’t include flood insurance, so speak to your insurance agent and make sure your home is covered!
12. Get a home energy audit
This allows you to assess your home’s energy efficiency which can lower energy costs in the long run. Cooling your home during the summer months can be costly if your home’s energy systems aren’t efficient.
13. Be mindful of mold
Did you know that there are many plants that can help reduce humidity and purify the air in your home? Peace lilies are a great option. This article outlines more plants that can help reduce moisture and prevent mold!
Seasonal Maintenance
Each season brings about changes to our routines and habits, as well as ways to keep our home and garden looking their best. Follow our tips below to ensure you are maximizing your energy efficiency and taking care of the inside and outside of your home!
14. Switch ceiling fan direction to counterclockwise
Prepare your home for warmer weather by changing your fan’s direction. When your fans are spinning counterclockwise, they are pushing cooler air down.
15. Change HVAC air filters
Your filters should be changed regularly to ensure that your HVAC system is working properly. Changing your filter is a great way to prepare your home for the summer months and ensure a fresher flow of air.
16. Reseal doors and windows
Prepare your home for summer by making sure there aren’t loose seals on doors and windows. This can cause cool air to seep out when you don’t want it to!
17. Fill in the grass
Colder months can be harsh on your lawn. As you are prepping your yard for warmer months, you may spot areas where the grass has receded. Take this time to fill in blank areas with new grass.
18. Aerate your lawn
Aerating your lawn during the summer months can help roots grow stronger and allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into your lawn. This promotes healthier growth for your grass!
19. Fix sprinklers & program system
Performing a general system test on your sprinkler system can help you determine if there are any leaks in the line. Once you know if you need to make any repairs, program your system’s schedule for the summer months. It is usually best to water your lawn in the morning or evening so that water doesn’t evaporate before being soaked up.
20. Prep for bugs
It is important to prepare your home for summer bugs. Inspect your window screens for holes, clean up piles of leaves and other debris near your home, seal cracked doors, and put out insect repellents.
21. Install rainhandlers or give your gutters a check up
It’s important to make sure your gutters are working properly so that summer showers don’t cause water damage to your home. Rainhandlers are an alternative option to gutters and actively work to direct water away from the edge of your home.
22. Get your garden ready
Clean up debris, prepare the soil, and plant summer flowers and vegetables before it gets too warm!
Preparing your home for summer and other seasons throughout the year is important. Doing so will help maintain your home’s structural quality and energy efficiency in the long run. If you would like to learn about other seasonal home preparations and safety tips, visit some of our other blogs:
- Your Ultimate Home Spring Cleaning Checklist
- Protect Your Home With These Fall Safety Tips
- 7 Home Safety Tips For You And Your Family
- Firework Safety Tips For The Fourth Of July
If you haven’t purchased a home yet and would like to get started on the process, contact us! We would love to help you get started on your home buying journey. Our experienced Loan Officers are here to answer any questions you may have.
Why Choose FBC Mortgage?
FBC Mortgage, LLC is a leader in helping home buyers with fast and simple loans. We’re dedicated to exceptional customer service and are always available when you need us most, even at night and on the weekend. We’ll help you navigate your new home purchase, and keep you updated along the way with weekly check ins, so you know you’re taken care of. That’s one of the many reasons why 95% of our clients would recommend us to their friends and family. It’s also why the nation’s top home builders and Realtors trust FBC to help their new home buyers.
Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will make. Understanding mortgages and the home buying process can help make it less stressful, and so can partnering with a mortgage lender you can trust. At FBC Mortgage, LLC, we’re dedicated to helping home buyers finance their dream home.
All information presented is for educational purposes only and not intended as financial advice. FBC Mortgage, LLC is a national mortgage lender headquartered in Orlando, Florida. Specializing in residential mortgage lending, including purchase, refinance, construction, and renovation loans. See what our clients have to say. NMLS#152859 EHL ©2023.
