Summertime Home Maintenance

It’s important to put some extra care into your home as we transition into summer. From being energy efficient indoors with your air conditioning, to taking care of outside safety measures for your pool – keep the following things in mind to gear up for an enjoyable season.

Your air conditioning unit will be the hero of your hottest days. For homes with window or free-standing air-conditioning units, make sure to remove and clean their filters. If you haven’t done this before, here’s a quick how-to:

• Power down and unplug your window or stand-alone A/C unit
• Get a putty knife to separate the grill from the mesh filter screen
• Prepare warm, soapy water to wash both the grill and the screen
• If mold is evident, it’s wise to add a safe amount of bleach to the cleaning mixture (best to do this cleaning outside of your home rather than release mold spores inside)
• Allow the grill and screen to dry completely before reattaching them to the unit

Any homeowner running their A/C, whether it’s central A/C or a window unit, should take care of a few energy-saving tasks. The caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is a major contributor to conserving cool air. If parts are not properly sealed, then fill gaps and replace old weather stripping with materials from a local home store. Ceiling fans can aid in air circulation when it’s cool enough to turn the A/C off. If you’re in the market for a new ceiling fan or stationary fan, go with a product with an ENERGY STAR sticker for optimum energy efficiency.

Fire season is expected to be strong during these summer months when the weather is hot and dry. To keep your home safe, take preventative measures to reduce chances of fire damage. Keep leaves and yard debris cleaned up and make a conscious effort to clean your gutters.

If you are fortunate enough to have a pool during these hot, sunny days, then make sure the access gate to your yard is secure. If children are around, you’ll really benefit from peace of mind if you have fencing along the pool’s perimeter with latches that are in working order.

If you encounter a home emergency or need a repair this summer, call SOS for referrals to contractors who will put as much care into your home as you do. Call 888-589-1868 or access our online service request form.

Have any tips to share with other homeowners? We’d love to hear them! Comment below or visit SOS on Facebook to tell us how you take care of your home during the summer months.