8 Things You Should Do To Your Home Before Summer
Although this past weekend felt like Winter was back, the truth is, Summer will be here before we know it. As we all know, in Houston we can have chilly 40 degree weather one day and the next day it’s a sweltering 90 degrees. But before summer makes it’s way to Houston make sure you and your home are prepared for the summer heat. Here are 8 quick tips to get your home summer ready.
Give Your Air Conditioner a Checkup
Now’s the time to make sure your air conditioning is in perfect working order. Replace your air filter to make sure the whole system runs smoothly. Clear any debris on or around your vents or exhausts, and clean off any dirt from the main unit outside. If your AC unit is more than 15-20 years old, you might consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient, Energy Star unit (bonus: you get a tax credit).
Test for Ventilation Leaks
Probe the weather stripping around the door with a screwdriver and caulk any post-winter gaps before tightening hinges that may have come loose due to shifts in temperature.
Set Up a Barrier for Bugs
Summer weather seems to bring out the bugs so make sure everything is properly sealed. Spray your outdoor perimeter with a pesticide, along with baseboards, sinks, windows, and doors.
Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction
Your ceiling fan is designed to rotate differently depending on the season. In winter months, it should rotate clockwise to help distribute heat that’s risen. In the summer, you should run your fan counter-clockwise at higher speeds to get a breeze going. To switch the direction simply hit the small black switch near the base.
Prevent Water Damage
Hurricane season hits in the summer months, and with it often comes flooding. Make sure your house is protected with flood insurance.
Clean out all your Gutters and Downspouts
Turn on your garden hose and place it inside the gutter so water begins to run. Then, walk around your home’s perimeter and check the gutter. Look for water coming out of any places it shouldn’t.
Redo the Driveway
Sweep away debris, patch cracks, then use a squeegee to apply a sealer. For concrete, try Quikrete Concrete Crack Seal. It’s usually about $10 for a quart.
Fix the Sprinklers
Check for any winter damage, including broken heads and cracked pipes, by running your sprinkler one zone at a time.
