What Should Be on Your Summer Prep Checklist

Summer is a time a lot of people look forward to. It’s a time for vacation, barbecues, and other forms of fun in the warm sun. However, summer is also something you should make preparations for long before the temperature starts to heat up. This is especially the case if you are a homeowner responsible for their own amenities or utilities. Before summer rolls around, there are certain home maintenance tasks that you should think about taking care of well before summer actually hits. Doing so can save you from a lot of serious problems later on when it’s hot and harder to deal with them. Below is a short checklist.

Plug Up Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows

Summer is a time when you’ll be running your air conditioning a lot. However, if there are gaps around your doors and windows, a lot of that hot air from outside will simply seep inside anyways and the cool air will be able to escape. This will force your air conditioner to have to work even harder, possibly not getting a chance to stop. However, if you do some simple fixes with things like caulk and weather stripping, these air leaks can be plugged.

Get Your Air Conditioner Serviced

An air conditioner is much like a car engine. It must be serviced from time to time to ensure it’s in good working order. Hire an HVAC company to perform air conditioning services well before summer. You can do some maintenance tasks on your own like replacing filters as well. Doing so will help protect you from the nightmare scenario of your air conditioner failing during the hottest days of the year, which can be anywhere from incredibly inconvenient to possibly deadly.

Keep the Humidity in Check

Beyond the heat, one of the biggest annoyances of the summer can be the humidity. Humidity, in many cases, can even be dangerous to your health. Humidity is when the moisture in the air heats up, making the area feel hotter than it really is and making it impossible to escape the heat unless you’re standing in front of a fan or somewhere with air conditioning. It can help breed mold in your home, and that can badly affect those with allergies. Mold can even devalue your house. Overall, do what you can to keep the humidity in your home below 60 percent. This is especially the case in damp areas like the basement. Purchasing a dehumidifier is probably a good idea. You can even install one that can dehumidify the entire house.

Remove Pests

The summer is also the time when pests like insects and rodents are most active. Part of your prep list should be inspecting your house for signs of pest infestation. Look for sawdust-like material near things like baseboards and other areas with exposed wood. This could be evidence of termites. Rotting or wet wood should also be kept as far away from your foundation as possible.

This is only a starting list of the different kinds of prep you should perform before summer. Overall, keep in mind that your home and its systems require routine maintenance. Neglecting this responsibility could cause you serious problems during the summer.

Home Maintenance Checklist for Summer's Warm Weather

Everyone is looking forward to summer. However, just because it’s getting warmer outside does not mean you can forget about home maintenance. Preparing for summer means preparing your home for some of the changes that will be coming. With that in mind, below is a home maintenance checklist for summer’s warm weather.

Test and Service Your Air Conditioner

Something you are likely to need during the summer is air conditioning. To get ready for the dog days of summer, ensure that your air conditioner is operating properly. Proper maintenance should also be performed such as installing new air filters and cleaning coils. Doing so will extend the life of your system with less need for air conditioning repair.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Something that absolutely must be done long before summer is cleaning all the leaves, dirt, gunk, and grime out of all your gutters and downspouts. If these gutters and downspouts get clogged, water could be redirected to inside your home where it will do massive damage.

Check Windows and Doors for Leaks

During the hot summer, you want your air conditioning system running as efficiently as possible. However, this will not be the case if you have significant leaks around windows and doors. Find these leaks and repair them through the use of things like caulk and weather stripping. The U.S. Department of Energy also suggests having a blower door test performed.

Inspect Your Foundation

Each year before summer, closely inspect your foundation. Look for cracks or leaks. These can allow water into your home where it can do a lot of damage. A failing foundation can also put the entire structure at risk. A poor foundation is a major problem best discovered early.

Reseal and Clean Your Deck or Patio

Something that will likely get a lot of use during the summer is your deck or patio. However, without proper maintenance, your deck or patio may end up lasting a lot shorter than you thought it would. Each year, you should wash each piece of wood on your deck. You should also consider re-sealing your deck or patio every few years. Doing so will help prevent the wood from cracking or splitting. This will allow it to last much longer than it would otherwise.

Summer is a time to have fun and relax. However, don’t ignore your home’s need for routine maintenance. Performing these maintenance tasks early will help you prevent problems and frustration later on.

Guest Post - 4 Summer Safety Tips for Children

Summers are for bonding and creating memories as a family. However, it’s difficult to relax if you’re worried about your children’s safety. Luckily, the following precautions can protect your kids and put your mind at ease.

1. Apply Sunscreen

With so many fun outdoor activities to enjoy, your kids will likely be outside all summer. Protect them from sunburn by applying sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before they head out to the pool or trampoline.

Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply about every two hours. If they’re swimming or sweating, apply another layer or put on some protective clothing to prevent burns.

2. Secure the Pool

Every day, about two children aged 14 or younger die in unintentional drowning incidents. Therefore, whether you have kids or not, it’s important to put a fence or other barrier around your pool. Doing so will prevent the neighbors’ youngsters from wandering onto your property and accidentally falling in.

3. Mind the Garage Door

Children and parents should also practice safety when playing in and around the garage and driveway. At least 85 kids have suffered permanent brain injuries or died in automatic garage door accidents. However, teaching kids to be aware of their surroundings and keeping the door’s path free of toys can effectively keep your family safe.

4. Protect Against Bugs

While observing backyard bugs can provide a unique learning opportunity, insects can also bite and sting curious children. If you want to minimize the number of dangerous creepy crawlies in your yard, try sprinkling your garden with diatomaceous earth or natural, non-toxic pesticides.

These simple solutions will keep insect populations in check so your kids are less likely to encounter six-legged threats.

Fun in the Sun

By taking the right precautions, you and your kiddos can have a safe and memorable summer. Take advantage of the bright sunshine, cool breeze a

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.nd slow-paced lifestyle now, because your little ones will be back in school before you know it!