6 Home Maintenance Tasks for the Summer

This is the time we prefer to spend on walks or on vacation, or just somewhere lovely with our friends and family. Most people just connect this time of the year with the beginning of the warm days and all the fun and rest. 

However, many people don’t consider that summer can also be a great season to fix some things around the house. After all, it’s raining a lot less in the summer, which could make some repairs a lot less complicated without worrying that the weather will ruin it all. 

You probably wonder what is so important around the house that needs to be repaired during summer instead of a more boring season? 

Here are the six home maintenance tasks that are perfect for the summer season and will help you prevent more significant issues on the way.

The Kitchen Range Hood Filter

The kitchen is one of the rooms where the humidity level is high. It’s because we cook often and food produces many water emissions, leading to mould and smelly water stains on walls and surfaces. The range hood, or the exhaust hood, as some people call it, has to be in perfect condition all the time. 

When you have the time, you check if your kitchen range hood works properly and if it’s not clogged by dust and small particles. Check both ends of the system, and turn it on to observe it for strange noises, which can be a sign of clogging. The same is true for commercial kitchens. It is critical to inspect and clean kitchen hoods on a regular basis. The reason being, dirty hoods are one of the leading causes of fire in commercial kitchens. Over time, the grime and grease that accumulates under the hood may drip onto the stoves and ignite a grease fire. As a result, it is important to hire a professional cleaning company that can provide Commercial Hood Cleaning Services in Charleston, SC, to thoroughly clean the kitchen hoods and fans.

It’s recommended to clean the kitchen exhaust fan at least once a year, to remove the grease build-up. Every exhaust is specific, so it’s best to refer to the model-specific documentation for further maintenance advice.

The two most important parts you need to take care of are grease filters and fan blades. You can clean reusable grease filters via boiling water and scrubbing them with a soft brush and hot soapy water. 

Before proceeding to the fan blades, remember to shut off the power at the circuit breaker to avoid accidents. Consider a professional electrician (similar to an expert electrical contractor in Atlanta, GA) for residential services to help you cut the risk at home..

Check Gutters For Leaks

Clogging by falling leaves and tree branches is easy to spot other signs of blocked gutters are not. All debris inside a blocked guttering system can cause many potential issues, like damage or pest infestations.

Regular maintenance of your gutters prevents clogs, leaks, and other damage to the structure of the building. 

Once the system is free of dirt and debris, it’s essential to test for leaks and schedule repairs. Here’s how: 

1. Find the right position. Go around the house and find a location where you can easily place and climb a ladder without endangering your life. If you live in a one-story house, you just need to find a spot with easy access to the top of your gutters.
   
2. Run the hose. Pick a garden hose, turn the water on, and climb with it to the position you’ve chosen. Then put the hose inside the gutter and wait for the water to run through. After that, you should either tie the hose to the top of the gutter or find someone to help you and hold the hose while you fulfil the next step.
   
3. Check the perimeter. Once the water has gone through the entire guttering system, you can walk around the house and observe everything closely. Look for water that is not draining correctly or if it flows where it shouldn’t. Once you check a section, you can move the hose to a new position to be able to check all the sides of your guttering system. If there are any dark areas, you can use a flashlight to help you see better.
   
4. Take notes of all problems. Pay extra attention to your gutters while you’re performing a leak check. Note down possible issues you notice. Problematic areas should be repaired as quickly as possible to upkeep integrity.

Inspect the Foundation of the House

The property’s foundation is the most important part of the entire structure. It’s important to ensure that this part of the house is always in good condition and protected from pests and moisture. If there’s something wrong with the foundation, there is something wrong with the entire home. 

Summer is the perfect season to do this because, during the other seasons, there is always a risk of rain, while summer is the most predictable season of all.

There are four things to look for during the foundation check-up: 

1. Check the grade around the house. The soil around the house should be sloped away from the building to divert the water away from the foundation. If the grade of the land around the house is too flat, this will cause flooding and ponding, which leads to future severe damage. 
   
2. Examine the foundation walls. Cracks in the walls are a certain sign of foundation damage. Vertical cracks signify shifting and settling, while horizontal cracks usually indicate a lateral settlement. 
   
3. Look for cracks in the home. The abovementioned settling and shifting can also cause cracks along walls and door frames. Most people associate them with malfunctions on doors and windows, but they can also indicate a problem with the crawlspace or foundation. 
   
4. Use a laser level to detect foundation issues. Sometimes if there are issues with the foundation, this can lead to uneven property settling on the ground. An easy way to determine if this is the case in your home is to use a laser level in the basement or crawlspace. If different areas of the space are highly uneven, you have a problem on your hand. 

Prevent Pest Infestations

Summer is the season when everything comes back to life, including pests. All kinds of creatures like to infest our homes because it provides them with all the needed primary life conditions – food and shelter. They start nesting, and soon enough, you can find your home completely infested. 

Start pest prevention from your backyard. 

Trim the shrubs and branches that insects and rodents may use to reach your house or shed to look for shelter. Pests love piles of leaves and grass. Another favourite is the firewood, so move it to an elevated area away from your house or shed. Then check the fence for any entry points and seal them to prevent rodents from entering. 

Inspect for possible entry spots to the house, such as cracks and crevices around the windows, pipes, vents, chimneys, and your home’s foundation. Licensed pest controllers Fantastic Pest Control advise filling all small holes with caulk and the larger ones with steel wool or a spray foam product to prevent insects and rodents from entering. 

Clean The Ceiling Fan

This is another crucial home maintenance task when summer is already here. Many people have ceiling fans in their homes, which provide fresh and cool air during this hot season. So, if you have one, make sure to check if it works properly before the warm days arrive. Turn it on and observe for strange noises and other signs of potential damage. If you don’t know how to check it, you should probably consider hiring a professional to do it for you. 

Cleaning the ceiling fan is also pivotal for the well-being of the device because these things gather a lot of dust. You can quickly dust the blades using a pillowcase. Turn the fan off and spray the inside of the pillowcase with an all-purpose detergent. Then carefully climb on a ladder, place each blade in the pillowcase and wipe it clean. 

Clean The Outdoor Cooker

Almost every Australian has a barbie in their backyard, waiting impatiently for the summer season. The beginning of the season is the perfect time to give the grill a deep cleaning. You can use these simple steps, depending on the type of barbecue you have: 

• For gas grills – Turn it on and leave the grill to heat up with the lid closed for at least half an hour. This will loosen all the dirt. Allow it to cool down a little and scrub it off with a grill brush. Use a damp sponge and a gentle cleanser to wipe the exterior. Clean the drip pans as well using hot water and dish soap. 
  
• For charcoal grills – Empty the grill and wipe it clean from any ashes. Clean it both inside and out using a scrub sponge, hot water and dish soap. You can also use an abrasive cleaner for any stubborn dirt. Allow for the grill dry completely before using it again.