The Ultimate Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

When the summer comes knocking, it brings along a great deal of problems, such as humidity, heavy showers and huge electricity bills. However, there are positive sides to this season as well, and one of the perks is that you can finally do your repairs and perform a large-scale house cleaning. Check out our ultimate summertime maintenance checklist for a neat and functional home.

Kitchen area

The stove and the refrigerator are two main kitchen devices that allow us to cook and store our food. Let’s see what it takes to keep them in shipshape state. For starters, tend to the refrigerator condenser coils. They’re commonly located at the back or behind the bottom kickplate. Plug out the fridge and carefully vacuum the coils using a brush attachment.

Next, move on to the old refrigerator door gasket. This flexible magnetic rubber frame can wear out over time and decrease the efficiency of the appliance. Search for tears or cracks on the seal. Proceed by washing the gasket with water and soap. Lastly, if you place a piece of paper on the door and close it, it should show resistance on reopening. If it snaps open quickly, it needs to be replaced.

The grease will inevitably build up on range hoods and on the microwave fans, but don’t let it linger for too long and risk a total malfunction. A citrus-based cleaner will swiftly get rid of the deposits and leave a wonderful scent behind. The range hood should be thoroughly scrubbed or placed in a dishwasher.

Bathroom area

Considering the number of fixtures it has and its high traffic, the bathroom needs a proper upkeep as well. Ventilation fans attract a lot of dust which makes them loud and low-performing. To clean it, detach the cover and vacuum the accumulated dust. To restore its standard humming sound, spray the movable parts with silicone-based lubricant.

Handling bathroom drains is no one’s chore of choice, but when the showers turn into foot bathing, the task can no longer be postponed. Disassemble the drain and clean the drain pipe with a specialized stick. Also, it’s recommendable you pour a bit of bleach and oust the moldy cultures.

You’ll know that your showerhead needs unclogging when the spray starts going bananas and only a few holes are fully open. To make your showerhead as good as new, put a plastic bag filled with vinegar around it, secure it with an elastic band and let it sit overnight. Rinse it in the morning and marvel at results!

Lastly, it’s paramount we maintain our heaters if we want an undisturbed supply of hot water throughout the year. Turn off the power and flush the tank sediments through a drain valve with a garden hose and a pump. In addition, test the device for leakage and check the vent pipe and pressure release valve.

Air conditioning devices

Begin with the old-fashioned ceiling fan, if you have one in your home. To prevent the dust from flying all over the place, sweep the blades with a band-secured cloth on a paint roller. When it comes to air conditioning installation and servicing, we should perform annual check-ups of the entire unit, in addition to replacing filters every couple of months for a more efficient performance and healthier environment.

Outdoor works

• Get rid of the mold and mildew by bleaching the key spots, but make sure to protect your shrubbery first.
• Launch a barbecue season with a squeaky clean grill. Utilize a specialized liquid cleaner and a wire brush.
• Fill up the holes and cracks in your driveway with an asphalt crack sealer or a concrete repair caulk and pressure wash it.
• Inspect lawn irrigation system for clogs and leaks and set up the sprinkler to ensure an even lawn coverage.
• The outside part of your AC device should be equally taken care off. Treat the AC drain line with bleach on regular basis and vacuum it when clogged.

Get welcomed by a clean and fully operational house after your well-deserved summer vacation. Follow our advice and take care of the major aspects of house maintenance beforehand.

Article written by Lillian Connors. If one thing is true about Lillian Connors, her mind is utterly curious. That’s why she can’t resist the urge to embark on a myriad of home improvement projects and spread the word about them. As the Co-Editor at SmoothDecorator, she cherishes the notion that sustainable housing and gardening will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit and what we eat, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. You can check her out on Twitter and LinkedIn.