Summer is on the way and its no secret that temperatures in Dallas and Plano will soon rise. Although it is important to maintain and prepare your home for the extreme summer heat, it is also important to tackle a few summer interior home maintenance jobs. Ensuring your home is prepared for summer can help prevent, water, storm, and fire damage. Check out Mr. Restore’s ultimate checklist of indoor summer home maintenance tips that can help you give your home some needed TLC.
Air Conditioner
You don’t want to be stuck without air conditioning when the temperature rises. You should check that your cooling system is ready to take on the summer heat. It might even be worth it to get your air-conditioning system serviced. Doing proper air conditioner maintenance can help your AC last longer. It can also prevent air conditioner fires or a leaky HVAC system.
Ceiling Fan
It's always good to dust the ceiling fan blades, an easy thing to forget about. Before you clean them, check to be sure they are working properly and all wires are in good condition. Unkept ceiling fan wires are at risk for electrical fires. Simply attach a dryer sheet to a paint roller to make the reach easier. While you’re up there, you should also check that the fan is balanced and working properly. If your fan is not cleaned before summer starts, it can spread unwanted dust particles throughout your home.
Your fans will push the air straight down if they spin counterclockwise, allowing your home to stay nice and cool. You should reverse the direction of your ceiling fans if they don’t spin counterclockwise. Here are the steps to do this:
- Turn off the fan
- Wait for it to stop
- Find the direction switch
- Check that your fans are spinning counterclockwise
Chimney
Consider getting your chimney cleaned. True, you might not use your fireplace again until fall or winter, which makes this the perfect time to call a chimney cleaning service. They won’t be as busy! Remember, an unkept chimney causes particles to build up and creates a fire hazard.
Bathroom and Laundry Plumbing
There are plenty of simple bathroom and laundry tasks that are great for home maintenance. If your bathroom and laundry appliances are working properly and are cleaned, it can easily prevent unwanted water damage. Some of them are:
- Clean or replace your showerheads and faucets
- Clean bathroom drains
- Carefully inspect your toilet
- Look for the leaking or issues with the toilet float valve
- Check all pipe connections
You can go ahead and inspect washing machine hoses, while you are at it. Replace any hoses that show signs of cracking, wear, or leakage.
Dishwasher
You should inspect the dishwasher door seal to ensure that it’s intact. The seal prevents water from leaking out of the dishwasher while it’s running. Also, consider looking under the dishwasher to check hoses for holes or blockage.
Baseboards
It's easy (but a little time consuming! ) to clean the baseboards of your home. Just use a damp cloth to wipe off all the dust and grime.
Attic
It’s important to look for signs of:
- Dampness
- Mildew
- Leaks
- Holes in the roof
- Pests
Vents and Filters
You will also need to clean the vents of your bathroom fans. Next, clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct. Make sure that you clean out all of the dust and lint in the vent and exhaust duct. Call in a professional to clean and service your washer and dryer if needed. Clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if they’re not cleaned and maintained.
Change the filter in the air conditioner, too.
Electrical Outlets and Cords
It’s important to check electrical outlets and cords for potential fire hazards, like frayed wires or loose-fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, circuit breakers, or extension cords to avoid a potential fire.
Smoke Detectors
You should test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This will ensure that they are in working order in the event of a fire. You may also consider replacing the batteries if needed.
There you have our summer home maintenance tips. These tips will help you clean up and take care of your home’s interior. If, while repairing issues with your home, you find you have water damage, give Mr. Restore a call. We are ready to help you get your home back to normal.