7 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

Summer is finally here with longer days and warmer weather. It’s time to get out the barbecue grill and spend some fun evenings and weekends with family and friends out on the deck or patio. Here are 7 tips to get your home ready for summer so you and your family and friends can kick back and enjoy the summer.

1. Have HVAC system serviced and cleaned
   You definitely want to stay cool this summer so make sure your HVAC unit is working at peak efficiency. It’s a good idea to have your HVAC system cleaned and inspected each year and summer is a great time to get this done. Your AC condenser is outside your house and can get really dirty and gummed up with leaves and other debris especially during the winter months. Make sure to clean any debris on and around the condenser and have it inspected by a pro to keep it running efficiently through the summer months. If you decide to clean the condenser unit thoroughly yourself, make sure to turn the power to the unit off first and be very careful not to damage the condenser fins which are fragile and easily bent or crushed.
2. Clean the gutters
   The gutters on your home are probably full of leaves, pine needles and other gunk from the winter season. Now that it’s warm, find a sturdy ladder and clean out the gutters and down pipes, or better yet, hire someone to do it for you.
3. Inspect and repair roofing and siding
   Summer is also a good time to inspect the roofing, siding, windows and exterior doors of your home to find any damage that may have occurred during winter or spring storms. Remove and replace caulking as necessary on siding windows and doors and repair or replace any damaged roofing.  If you aren’t comfortable doing this type of work you can always hire someone to do it for you.
4. Clean deck and patio
   You’ll probably want to spend a lot of time outside this summer with family and friends so make sure your deck, patio and porch are ready for entertaining. Pressure-wash concrete patios and wood decks to get rid of all the grime that may have accumulated from the winter months. Summer is a great time to reseal or repaint your deck and porch so it looks like new again. Don’t forget to inspect and clean your outdoor furniture and wash cushions so you are ready for summer entertaining.
5. Clean and repair driveway and walkways
   Rent or buy a power-washer or hire someone to clean these areas. It’s amazing how a good cleaning can make the exterior of your home look like new again. Summer is the perfect time to repair cracks and joints in concrete walkways, stairs and driveways. Check with your local home improvement store to find the best products for your needs or hire a professional to do any needed repairs.
6. Weed and mulch flower beds
   Weeds can take over flower beds and planted areas around the home in the spring and summer months so make sure to keep on top of weed removal before it gets out of control. This will help your flowers and shrubs grow healthier and look better. Add some fresh mulch to protect the plants and make your landscaping look great again.
7. Fertilize and reseed lawn
   Depending on the type of grass you have in your lawn, summer may be the perfect time to reseed and fill in bald patches in your lawn. Make sure to remove leaves and twigs and de-thatch dead grass with a rake before reseeding your lawn. Check with a landscape supplier or home improvement store to make sure you get the right seed for your lawn and don’t forget to fertilize and keep it watered while the new seed is germinating and growing.

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