Owning a home isn’t always easy. Projects arise and disasters can occur leaving homeowners with a hefty bill. But, with a bit of planning you can create a seasonal home maintenance checklist that will ward off disasters and save you money in the long run. Home maintenance services can cover all aspects of your home from plumbers to roofers and even lawn care. Consider dividing your maintenance services into these seasonal tasks and you will avoid a home maintenance emergency and make caring for your home much more manageable.
Summer
Warmer weather means more time can be spent maintaining your lawn and gardens. The list of summer home maintenance services is much shorter than other seasons which leaves you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the sun. The number one summer maintenance service is your lawn. Overall, your lawn care is a major contributor to your home’s overall marketability so you need to keep it maintained. Whether you simply invest in a lawn mower and weed wacker or you outsource your lawn care to a company, your lawn needs constant maintenance during the summer. If you choose to mow your own lawn you will want to service your lawn mower and ensure the blades are sharp enough to cut through grass the entire season. After you have trimmed your lawn you should also pull weeds from your lawn and garden areas. Next, take a look at your sprinkler system. Sprinkler maintenance begins with checking for leaks, damaged sprinkler heads, and damaged valves. Some sprinkler maintenance can be done yourself and is as easy as a trip to the hardware store. However, more advanced maintenance, such as replacing leaking underground pipes or fixing wiring, will need to be handled by a professional. Pest control is another summer maintenance that every homeowner will eventually need to deal with. Everything from mosquitoes to spiders and ants are more active during the summer months. Ensure that your home’s barrier is keeping pests away and consider a professional if pests are finding their way into your home.
Fall
Bright summer days are ending which means it is time to prepare for colder months. During the fall you should have your furnace, boiler, or radiator inspected. If you have a fireplace you will want to get it inspected and have the chimney cleaned to avoid a potential hazard during the winter. While you are preparing for the cold don’t forget to close down your pool and sprinkler systems. These tasks can be done on your own or with the help of a professional. Winterizing a pool can be extensive but it is necessary since it will extend the life of your pool. The same is true of your sprinkler system which needs to be prepped for cold weather. Finally, check your gutters and remove debris to ensure that you won’t have to deal with water dams in the winter. Other fall maintenance tasks should include checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, cleaning your dryer vent, and checking for and sealing drafts around your windows and doors.
Winter
Freezing temperatures and snow can wreak havoc on a home. But if you keep up with winter maintenance you will have a much better chance of surviving winter without a disaster. Don’t let snow pile on your driveway, walkways, or around your air vents. This is a huge safety hazard. If you are pressed for time or simply do not want to deal with snow removal you can contract a snow removal company. Additional winter downfalls are frozen pipes or ice accumulation on your roof. These can both occur and show very little signs to begin with and lead to water damage that could hinder your home’s value. Before the first snowfall you should cover your AC unit and check the levels in your boiler. If you are in an area that tends to have major winter storms you should consider purchasing a generator and make a winter storm emergency kit complete with extra supplies of wood, gas, canned food, bottled water, batteries, flashlights, etc.
Spring
You’ve made it through the cold dark days of winter. The sun is peeking out from behind the clouds and the ground is beginning to thaw. That means it’s time to start your outdoor home maintenance projects. Begin with a full lawn cleanup. Clear away fallen branches and dead leaves in your yard and around your landscaped areas. Consider planting new flowers or adding a fresh layer of mulch around your flowers. Next, it’s time for a full home inspection. These tasks will need to be undertaken by a professional. According to San Antonio roofing company, roof inspection should ensure there are no loose or broken shingles. If some are found they will need to be repaired before spring showers can cause water damage. Another important inspection that should occur at least once a year is your HVAC system. Have a professional maintain and inspect your system during the spring so that your system will continue working efficiently. Another home maintenance that should be done by a professional is a septic tank inspection. A professional will make sure sludge is removed from the system rather than allowing it to back up and cause a major septic issue. You should also check your foundation for signs of cracks that could be a symptom of your house settling over time. Additionally cracks can occur on your home’s siding. Any sign of cracks means a professional needs to be contacted. Your gutters also need to be inspected and cleared of fallen leaves or other debris. Finally check your pipes for rust or leaks and inspect your sump pump for strange noises that could signal an impending issue. Other small home maintenance tasks such as properly storing your snowblower, planting perennials, cleaning window screens, and checking the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors can be done on your own.
Maintaining a home can feel extensive and never-ending. But when you break down projects into seasonal tasks you will find that you can complete your home maintenance with ease and in the long-run avoid a major home emergency.
