8 Tips for Summer Home Maintenance Before It Cost You Thousands

This is the time of year for celebrations and special moments: graduations, weddings, family reunions and oh so much more. All this excitement can feel like a whirlwind. So much so that you might be neglecting household problems that could drain your summer fund.

And with so many festivities, your home is typically the heart of family gatherings. The last thing anyone wants is for something to go awry. To avoid that from happening, here are 8 ways to tackle summer home maintenance before your celebrations begin.

PRO TIP: As we aren’t all home maintenance experts, some tasks are better left in the hands of professionals. Chances are if you don’t feel comfortable doing something yourself, even with YouTube tutorials, you are probably better off getting a professional involved.

1. Time to Tidy Up

Cleaning, tidying, and decluttering instantly comes to mind when expecting guests. Do laundry, set up the guestroom, leave out new towels; there is always a mini checklist we run though. As lovely as an organized and clean smelling a home is, there are always a few other things that may slip our minds.

2. Inspect and Clean Appliances

If home is the heart of the family, then appliances must be the arteries that help keep things functioning. Hot water tanks provide warm showers, while dishwashers relieve us of having to spend hours at the sink. We use our trusty appliances day in and day out. And with celebrations being synonymous with food, kitchen appliances need to be ready. Be sure to give them a little extra TLC by doing deep cleanings and inspections to make sure they’re in top shape for big assignments.

3. Check the Circuit Breakers

Appliances, lights, devices, check! Gatherings and extra house guests can easily leave your circuit box ready to explode. For everyone’s safety, it’s important to not over-exert your power usage. This could not only expose hidden wiring faults, but it increases the risk of house fires. Be sure to thoroughly examine your breakers to make sure they’re ready for peak performance. You might need to call in a professional for this one.

4. Is Your HVAC Running?

It’s hot outside. Plus, you’re cooking in the kitchen with a house full of people. The last thing you want to hear is that the air conditioning went out. Because of course that would happen at the most inconvenient time. Before your upcoming festivities, be sure to do some summer home maintenance on your HVAC system. Inspecting your unit while cleaning dirty coils and fixtures can go a long way. This can prevent potential damage that would certainly ruin your celebrations. Again, you might want to call a pro for this.

5. Power Up: Check and Replace Batteries

When was the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detectors? It’s recommended to replace batteries twice a year at the start and end of daylight savings time. Did you know that a smoke detector’s alarm sensors are susceptible to wearing out? Be sure to replace your alarm every ten years for best performance.

6. Replace Your Fire Extinguishers

From late winter into summer, the number of accidental fires rise. There are endless ways to practice fire safety, but it’s always advisable to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Like a smoke alarm, you should be mindful of the device’s lifespan. A rechargeable extinguisher can be used anywhere from five to twelve years until it needs to be serviced or tested. Non-rechargeable ones must be disposed of and replaced every twelve years.

After spending months inside our homes, everyone is longing to head outside. Get some fresh air and feel the warm sun on your skin. And why not take advantage of the nice weather and utilize your outdoor space as well? Here are a few outdoor summer home maintenance tips to add to your summer prep checklist:

7. Examine Your Grill

Summer. Party. Backyard. Put those three things together and that usually means someone is grilling something. And it’s going to smell delicious. To prevent your guests from leaving without your world-famous BBQ, be sure to examine your grill and gas tanks for any signs of potential problems. Proceed with caution, since dealing with gas and fire in any form can be dangerous. There are over seven thousand fires that occur each year due to gas grills. Avoid becoming a statistic.

8. Strengthen Your Fence

June is National Pet Preparedness Month. Now, with warmer temps, we can venture outside with our companions for fun in the sun. As much as we all love spending the afternoon outside with our furry family members, we must be mindful of their safety as well. If you do have a fenced yard, be sure to check for any gaps or loose boards that need repair.

Sometimes things don’t always go as planned. Check in with us for peace of mind.

It's always best to stay on top of your summer home maintenance before these things become problems that require a great deal of time, resources, and money to fix. But life happens in the most unexpected ways. Don’t let the stress get to you— your neighborhood Check Into Cash has your back.

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