Even though we’re halfway through the summer, there’s still time to complete all the items on your summertime home maintenance checklist. Before the temperatures begin to drop and the leaves begin to fall, make sure you follow these tips:
Clean up the yard.
Go out to your yard on a Saturday morning and pull up any weeds that have sprung through the dirt. Make sure you are pulling from the root instead of just pulling the visible part of the plant. Then, once you have cleaned up the entire yard, spray a weed killer to keep these pesky weeds from growing back and harming your landscaping.
Check the gutters.
There tends to be a lot of wind and thunderstorms during the summer, so homeowners should always take the time to clean out their gutters to make sure everything is functioning properly. Make sure you have someone else with you when you clean out the gutters so he or she can hold the ladder and keep you steady. Then, climb up the ladder until you can see into the gutters. Throw out any large pieces of debris you see, and then grab a hose to flush out whatever remains afterwards.
Pressure wash.
Even if you don’t have a pressure washer, you should make the effort to rent one so you can check this off of your list. Mold, mildew, dirt and debris have probably accumulated on the sides and front of your house over the last few months. Get rid of this unsightly mess with the help of a pressure washer, which will make your home look brand new. Luckily, you won’t need a professional to get this job done, just rent the equipment and read the instructions carefully before you get started.
Make sure the sprinklers are working.
Although you won’t have to water your grass as much during the summer as you would in other seasons, it’s still important to make sure your sprinklers are working so you can call for repairs if needed. Turn all of the sprinklers in one area on at the same time, and then do a slow walk through as they run. Look for any water that is bubbling up or sprinklers that are shooting streams of water in the wrong direction. If you see this, order a replacement head and have it switched out as soon as possible.
Check the condition of your roof.
At least once every season, you should take a look at the condition of your roof. In fact, you should do this while you are cleaning the gutters so you don’t have to take two trips up the ladder. Check for any signs of damage such as curling, cracked or missing shingles. If there are any granules floating around in your gutters, this could mean your shingles are deteriorating. Make sure you call a roof repair specialist as soon as possible if you notice any of these signs.
For more advice on real estate and home improvement projects, talk to the pros. Contact our team of real estate experts at Coast 2 Coast Realty who have years of experience listing and selling homes in the Tampa area.
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