How to Get Your Home Ready For Warm Weather​

It may seem like all you need to do in order to prepare for warmer weather is buy a new bathing suit and book your summer getaway, but beyond the traditional deep cleaning, there is no better time to get ready for summer than now! To assist you in the process of getting your home up to speed with the rapidly changing season, our crew at Executive Craftsman has created a list of the most important tasks necessary to prepare your home for warm weather, and save you time and money by doing so!

Inspect outdoor plumbing

Now is the perfect time to check your outdoor spigots and irrigation system to make sure that it made it through the harsh winter intact. Remove all insulators from the outdoor faucets and then turn on the water. A slow trickle could mean that you have a problem with your pipes. If water is not flowing correctly, we recommend calling a trusted plumber.

Clean windows and screens

Spring is the perfect time to remove and clean storm windows that have spent the past few months keeping out the cold and ensuring that the warm stayed in. To really make those windowpanes sparkle, fill a spray bottle with window cleaning solution and use a squeegee to leave the windows streak free. If you are someone with sensitive skin, always wear gloves just in case to prevent irritation. While you are cleaning, examine the windows to see how they have put up with the winter. If there are signs of dry rot and water damage, re-caulk or replace the damaged weather stripping where needed. This will make a major impact when you must keep the hot air out.

Don’t forget about the window screens! Inspect them and repair any damage and reinstall them in your windows. Use a hose and a mild detergent to clean your screens, but don’t pressure wash them. The more force, the greater the chance that something could be damaged. Window repair kits can be found at many convenient stores.

Service your air conditioner

To be truthful, there is nothing quite like having your air conditioner break when summer is in full swing. Because of this, now is the best time to check out your air conditioning system to make sure that it will be able to keep you nice and cool in the coming months. Change the system’s filter because clogged and dirty filters can make air conditioners work harder and will actually cost you money in the long run. If everything seems to be correctly functioning, it is still a great idea to call a professional. A properly tuned up unit will extend its life cycle and will keep it running efficiently.

Downspouts and gutters

During a heavy summer storm, there is nothing less convenient than having clogged gutters! Winter weather can be hard on downspouts and gutters and has the potential to lead to leaks that let water in your basement or crawl space and can cause serious wood rot. Since cleaning your gutters can be a tough job, consider hiring a professional! If your house is tall then it could be a fairly dangerous task. Some tool that you will need in order to properly clean your gutters are:

• Sturdy ladder
• Gloves
• A trowel
• Safety glasses
• A properly working hose

The trowel can be used to scoop the debris out of the gutters and then once you have gotten most of it out you can spray the remaining with a hose to get those clogs out. Be sure that your downspout flows away from your home!

Inspect your exterior

Take a quick look at your roof and home’s exterior to see if any minor problems have developed over the winter that could potentially turn into major problems. Even if your roof is too high, inspect your shingles, flashings, and chimneys using a pair of binoculars so that you can give them a proper inspection from the ground. Check for misaligned, cracked, or missing shingles. These could allow water to enter your home and cause some serious damage. Even after you have finished your roof inspection, examine the rest of your exterior for chipping paint or other damage that could have happened during the winter or early spring. Once you complete these important home maintenance activities, you will be all set to enjoy the warm weather and relax on your beach getaway.