While immersing yourself in summertime activities, it’s important to set aside enough time to take care of home and yard chores. Here are 10 must-do items while summer’s in full swing.
• Air Conditioning Summer Maintenance
If you haven’t already, it’s imperative to have a professional check your air conditioning system. It’s working full time now, and you wouldn’t want to suffer without it. In addition, be diligent about changing filters on schedule. Outside, keep bushes trimmed away from condenser coils so they can breathe. Finally, the condensation drain line can become clogged. Look for the open-ended, vertical piece of white PVC pipe and pour a quarter cup of bleach in it to keep it clear.
• Conserve Water
Keeping your lawn and landscaping hydrated is key, but not at the expense of water conservation. Set sprinkler systems for regular watering at specific times, which controls usage. If you use a hose, be consistent with the amount and times you water. Adjust sprinkler heads to prevent inadvertent watering of sidewalks. Follow local ordinances regarding water conservation.
• Sprinkler Head and Moisture Sensor Maintenance
Replace or adjust any sprinkler heads that may have been damaged while mowing or trimming. If you don’t already have one, install a moisture detector to save on water after a rain.
• Gutter Check
Spring storms may strip leaves and small branches from trees. Check your house’s gutters for debris and clear them to allow for easy draining.
• Make Vacation Arrangements
Ask friends or neighbors to tend to indoor plants and pick up newspapers while you are on vacation. Arrange to board pets. Go to the United States Postal Service website to set dates to stop and restart your mail.
• Water Heater Maintenance
Periodically, sediment needs to be drained from the bottom of the water heater. Summer is a great time to do this. Out of your comfort zone? Call a licensed plumber.
• Transition Time
Break out the backpacks, calculators, and lunch bags for back-to-school time. Prepare a place at home for the kids to study and access a computer. Set aside the coolers and beach chairs for weekend use.
• Have Carpets Cleaned
Traffic in and out of the house peaks in summer and so does the dirt tracked inside. Summer’s end is the perfect time to have your carpets professionally cleaned so they look and smell good for the fall holidays.
• Eliminate Wasp and Bird Nests
By late summer, pull down abandoned bird’s nests and scrub the area with hot soapy water. For wasp nests, wait until just after dusk when wasps are becoming dormant, then use wasp spray that projects a stream of 20 feet. The next day, inspect to ensure the wasps are gone before pulling down the nest. If you are allergic to wasp stings, call a professional exterminator.
• Plant a Fall Garden
Harvest the last of your summer vegetables and prep the soil for planting a fall garden. Visit your garden center and choose vegetables that do well in your autumn climate.
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