How To Tell If It’s Time To Replace Your Old Siding
June 1, 2020
Summer is in high gear and you most likely are too! Vacations are calling. Playdates are waiting. There are adventures to be found. Busy families don’t have much time for home chores during these months. School’s out, travel’s in and it’s easy to let summer home maintenance slide.
Want to avoid waiting until the last minute to handle important household tasks? Summer will run more smoothly if you keep tabs on these important areas using our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist.
Interior
Make the season count. Late summer is a slow time for home maintenance and cleaning companies. Look for summer discounts from carpet cleaners, gutter installers, and window washing firms, and get a head start on fall cleaning!
Think ahead to fall’s cold weather. Schedule furnace maintenance now and beat the October rush. You’ll be snug and warm that first cold night and your wallet will thank you!
Prepare the medicine chest and first aid kit for summer’s little medical emergencies. In the bathroom, dispose of outdated medication as recommended. Be sure the first aid kit has ample adhesive bandages for scrapes, calamine lotion for insect bites, and hot/cold packs for strains or sprains.
Make an emergency list for baby-sitters and school kids on vacation. Create or print an emergency information page to post by each household telephone. Include phone numbers for the fire department, police, poison control, and ambulance. Don’t forget numbers for parents at work, a family contact, and nearby neighbors. Be sure to write the home address on the list; it will aid rescuers if help is needed.
Tackle patio and sliding door tracks. Summer is open-door season, so be sure your doors open smoothly. Grab a bottle of all-purpose (degreasing) cleaner, a screwdriver and lots of rags. Spray the tracks generously and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Wrap the screwdriver with a rag, and make several careful passes along the track to get out the gunk.
Check washing machine hoses. Replace them if you find cracks or bulges or if they’re more than two years old.
Hold a garage sale. Declutter house and garage to turn cash to trash.
The Exterior
Pest patrol: Inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. If you see telltale mounds, treat with grits or borax. Keep borax away from children.
Keep tabs on decks, siding and trim. Will you need to perform touch-up work before winter? Order paint and be ready for the first cooler days of early autumn.
Control garbage can odors with a can clean-out. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, then spray with disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. Turn upside down to dry.
Inspect gutters and clean out any leafy debris. Summer thunderstorms won’t faze you if your gutters are in good working order.
Make a safety inspection of children’s outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts and cover with plastic protectors.
A minute of prevention today can save significant cash in the future and help your home stay in tip top shape.
