Summer is finally here! Warmer temperatures mean memorable vacations, manicured lawns, and time by the pool. This time of year also often means a bit of neglect when it comes to homes. Who wants to focus on home maintenance when the weather is wonderful? Unfortunately, a lack of proactive care, even for one season, can create a host of future problems—ones you as the builder will field as repair requests. Luckily, with a little guidance from you, summer maintenance doesn’t have to mean sacrificing fun in the sun.  

We’ve prepared this article for you to share with homeowners full of summer home maintenance tips. These easy actions will help them maintain a terrific home and enjoy a topnotch summer. For additional tips and recommendations, include PWSC’sSummer Home Maintenance Checklist.

Want to offer buyers even more time to relax? Add a HomePRO system and appliance warranty as another valuable home perk (with spa and pool coverage available).  

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Temperatures are heating up and so is the need for preventative home maintenance. A few simple tasks will keep your home cool on the inside and looking great on the outside. Before you start sipping piña coladas by the pool and packing for that perfect vacation, get your home in summer shape.

Here are some tips for maintaining your home without compromising all those summer vibes.

Security

• Check locks on windows and doors – Colder months impact lock lubricants affecting how smoothly metal parts work together. Winter months and dry air also can cause window and door frames to contract leading to poor fits that make locks difficult to operate in the summer.
• Secure window wells and crawl spaces – Covering window wells and crawl spaces prevents burglaries. Securing covers also ensures no unwanted animals take up residence and prevents children from falling into the wells and getting injured.
• Change garage codes – Best practice is changing your garage codes at least twice a year. Smoke detector batteries should be replaced with the bi-annual time change. A good way of remembering when to swap garage codes is during the greatest temperature changes—summer and winter.

Cleaning

• Clean the flue – Don’t wait until winter to inspect your fireplace. Have any cracked or damaged masonry repaired. Mortar and other masonry equipment requires a warmer temperature. At the same time, clean the flue to prevent fires when the cold rolls back around.
• Inspect for insects – Summer rains bring ants indoors. Warmer weather has hornets and wasps busy building nests around your home. And termites get even hungrier when things heat up. Treat for insects inside and around your home.
• Give ceiling fans a scrub – Dust and debris on fan blades affects speed and strains the motor. Get off the gunk to keep them in great condition. While you’re up there, check the direction of the blades. In the summer, the fan should turn counterclockwise to push cool air down. 

Ventilation

• Check air ducts – Hot weather taxes your HVAC system. Dirty air ducts make it work even harder by preventing cool, clean air from easily circulating throughout the home. Cleaning air ducts improves comfortability and air quality while reducing allergens, dust, and pollutants. Plus, you’ll avoid the musty smell clogged ducts create.
• Visit the attic – Attic temperatures can reach north of 140° in the summer. When hot air cannot escape, the temperature keeps rising. The trapped air affects the entire house by making it more difficult to achieve a cooler temperature. Make sure there is adequate ventilation to reduce hot air and that nothing blocks vents.

Moisture

• Survey for mold – The typical summer brings two things: heat and rain. That creates higher humidity, which most of us hate but mold colonies love. Summer is the most common time of year to see mold growing around your home. If you catch the problem early, a simple bleach and water solution can kill the mold. However, a larger moisture issue may be lurking, so be on the lookout.
• Look for septic tank leaks – Water around the septic tank or leach field is a sign of a bigger problem. Search for clogs or blockages. If the issue goes unrepaired for too long, the entire system can fail.
• Inspect gutters – Head up to the gutters to see if any clogs or damage exists. When gutters collect debris and water, they can malfunction under the mounting weight. That can mean misdirected water that hurts your home. Damaged gutters also rust and corrode. Gutters that receive regular maintenance and cleaning can last 20-plus years.

Structure

• Investigate wood structures – Look for any signs of rot or deterioration on steps and decks. Make sure stairway treads, risers, and handrails are solid. A quick way to ruin a summer get-together is having someone fall off the deck. Party foul.
• Check the roof – While inspecting the gutters, mark the roof off your list too. Look for loose roof tiles and missing shingles. Remove any debris that could cause water to collect.
• Look at floors, walls, and ceilings – Dramatic changes in temperatures and moisture can affect foundations. Ensure everything is straight, plumb, and level. Some settling is perfectly normal but major cracking, sagging or unevenness needs attention.

And just like that, your home is summer ready! Now bring on the sunshine!