Can your home and yard handle the summertime heat and humidity? Don’t neglect certain tasks that will protect your home and let you enjoy it to the fullest this season.
Keep It Cool
Get your A/C system serviced professionally. Get you A/C checked out before it starts to get hot. Even if your system is relatively new, you want to get your heating and cooling system maintained at the change of seasons. This preventative service can help you avoid any emergency problems or costly repairs.
Consider a yearly maintenance contract with a HVAC company. Having a service contract with a cooling and heating company means that they will reach out to you before the change of every season so it gets serviced on time and often at a discounted rate. Plus, if you do have any emergencies in the middle of the season, your service call will be a priority and move to the top of their list. Email me at melissa@melissazittrealtor.com for a list of recommendations.
Clear away debris around your outside air conditioning unit. Make sure you don’t have shrubs, weeds or other growth too close to your unit. You want it to work properly and be as efficient as possible.
Clean and replace your unit’s return vent filters. Don’t forget to do this and stick to your manufacturer’s recommendations. Your A/C unit will be working in overdrive to keep you cool, so do your part to make it work effectively. You can order air filters online to keep it simple and easy.
Prevent Moisture and Mold
Summer means higher levels of humidity. This excess moisture in the air causes mold and mildew which can damage your home, belongings, and health!
Measure humidity levels. Aim to keep the humidity inside your home under 50%. Your programmable thermostat may indicate your home’s relative humidity or you can purchase inexpensive hydrometers.
Check your basement and crawl spaces. These areas are often ignored and can become overly moist or poorly ventilated. Take time to inspect for signs of mold or a scent of mustiness. Contact a professional (you can ask me for recommendations) to help remediate or prevent further issues.
Get a dehumidifier to remove moisture. If your home’s humidity stays above 50%, you can reduce it with a dehumidifier. Look for one that is the proper size for your home’s square footage. Also consider a unit with a tube for continuous emptying or a safety shut off when the catcher bin is full to prevent overflow.
Ventilate high moisture areas in your home. Make sure that bathrooms or kitchens have vent fans or at the very least, an open window. Run the fan during showers and when boiling water and for about an hour afterward.
Run the A/C. Cooler air holds less moisture. Keep the temperature reasonable (below 80 degrees) when you can to curb moisture.
Yard Work for Summer Days
Your yard should be in pretty good shape by summer but the heat can take a toll on your lawn, trees, flower beds, and pots.
Have your trees trimmed … period. Summer storms and trees full of leaves with unstable branches can only bring disaster. No one wants a tree to crash though their home or hit their car. Call today to make that appointment if you haven’t done it for a couple of years. Remember to budget for tree service and possible removal in your maintenance plans so that you’re well prepared.
Check on exterior drainage systems and consider improvements. Summer means big thunderstorms. To prevent costly water damage to your home, now is the time to make sure all of your drainage systems are operating properly and that they move water away from your home. Consider getting downspout extenders for gutters, clearing debris from gutters, having your landscaping slope away from your home’s foundation, or installing storm drains in your yard or even a French drain system.
Add a splash of color with some annuals that can withstand the summer heat. Work with your local garden center to see what will thrive best in your yard, especially if you have direct sunlight or if want more low maintenance plants.
Keep Watering. Water your plant beds and containers if we’ve been without rain for a few days. Don’t water in the middle of the day with the hot sun, but do it in the early evening when it starts to cool down. And if you head out of town, don’t forget to ask a neighbor to continue to water as necessary.
Clean, power wash or stain/seal your deck and patio. Brighten them up and make them sparkle for your summer entertaining. It’s also a good time to protect them with new stain or sealant. And, don’t forget about having your home’s siding power washed or cleaned, depending on what the manufacture recommends.
Keep Pests at Bay
It’s good to be vigilant when it comes to mosquitos, ticks, rats and other summertime pests. Make it a standard practice for your yard, and continue to monitor and adjust during the summer months.
Keep mosquitos from breeding in your yard. Mosquitos love standing water – any amount! So do your part to cut down on places where they can breed. Double check for standing water in your yard and any outside containers – such as wheelbarrows, flowerpots, buckets, watering cans, garbage cans, kids’ toys. Even the little bit in your gutter drain can lead to breeding. Store items in your garage and shed as much as possible.
Be proactive about mosquitos – both larvae and adults. Take protective measures for mosquito control to prevent larvae from flourishing. Look into non-toxic solutions such as nonchemical larvicides (Mosquito Dunks for larvae; Mosquito Bits for adults); goldfish, koi, and mosquitofish that prey on these pests; and solutions to make the water “move” more. Put the Dunks or pellets in your gutter drains to prevent larvae.
Repair door and window screens. Walk through your home and check all of your screens. No one wants a buzzing mosquito nearby while trying to sleep! You can purchase replacements or patch a screen yourself if you like … check out DIY instructions on YouTube.
Hire a pest control service to manage any summertime problems (rats). The summer means more spiders and, yes, rats in some more urban areas. Do your part and keep your garbage contained and clear out debris in your yard so you don’t have a tempting “home” for critters. A pest service can offer suggestions and solutions on how to deal with any problems, inside and outside of your home.
Avoid having long grass to prevent ticks. Mow your lawn regularly and remove leaves and debris, where ticks can thrive. Check yourself, your kids, and pets after being outside.
DIY Projects in the Sun
Take advantage of summer mornings or late afternoons for some outside projects that need ventilation or sunny weather. Fumes won’t bother you and items can dry in the sun.
Spiff up inside or outside furniture. It’s a perfect time to strip, sand, or stain any flea market finds. You can even spray paint something a fun, bright color without worrying about the mess (still put down newspapers or covering to protect your grass or patio).
Clean windows and screens. If you haven’t done this yet, a summer morning is the perfect time before it gets too hot. Spray wash your screens with a hose and the summer sun will dry them quickly.
Remember to enjoy your summer! Please contact me for any recommendations for service providers.
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I'm Melissa and I love helping Knoxvillians achieve their homeowner dreams. Whether you are looking to move into a home that is a better fit for your lifestyle or make your first purchase, I am here to help you be successful with the least amount of stress.
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