Summer is about to hit its peak which means the sun is out and the heat is turning up. In order to beat the heat and fully enjoy the relaxation within the comforts of your home, you first should attend to some home projects you may have been putting off for months. Look no further though because LRG brings you 10 home maintenance tips that are easy and quick to follow. Help make this summer an absolute breeze for you and your family!

1. Check Your A/C

Having access to a functional air conditioning unit is a must, especially in Texas during the summertime. Use this as a reminder to check that yours is working at its best when those triple-digit temperatures finally make their appearance. Whether you do a complete unit check or only change the filter, prepare right now before it gets too late.

1. Check Your Insulation

Staying on the topic of airflow and cooling atmospheres, another potential issue to check out is your insulation. It’s really easy to find insulation problems in any part of your home, even your attached garage. Take a look around and seal up any insulation gaps you come across in order to keep those cooling costs down.

1. Clutter Clear-Out

For those who never fully completed their spring cleaning sessions, summer is another ideal time to deep clean and declutter your living spaces. Not only will you feel your best, but your home will also look its best.

1. Getting the Grill Ready

Summertime is all about backyard barbecues and before you host your next get-together, make sure you give your grill a good, thorough scrub. This may seem pointless for those reluctant cleaners, but cleaning your grill can actually help prevent potential safety dangers like grease fires and bacteria build-up.

1. Don’t Forget the Shutters and Window Sills

There are some areas in our home we may forget about during the weekly Sunday cleaning routine: our windows. Window sills and blinds are actually the prime places for grime and other unmentionables to hide within. By cleaning these spots, you can keep out pesky pests such as allergens, bugs, and dust.

1. Prepare your Patio

Spending time outside can be the ultimate bliss for many. Whether it’s enjoying a good book or kicking back with a beer and some friends, the most special moments are spent on your deck or patio. And in order to fully enjoy this space, ensure it’s in peak shape by checking for cracks or giving it a good hose-down with some power washing.

1. Gutters, Grouts, and Downspouts

Your home exterior is just as important as your interior. One tedious task that needs to be checked off your summer home care list is maintaining the area around your roof and gutters. Leftover objects like stains, leaves and overall dinginess not only diminish your curb appeal but can contribute to other household problems. Help lengthen the lifespan of your home and clean these places out.

1. Block Out Bug Hangouts

With warmer weather also comes the swarms of insects. Help maintain your land by simply spraying bug spray or call an exterminator to do a perimeter sweep with pesticides for more serious cases. You can also caulk your windows and doors as an added bonus to keep the bugs from infiltrating your home.

1. Elevate Your Yard with Landscaping

Make your yard look nice and fresh by beautifying it. You can start by trimming your trees, pulling out weeds, or even laying down fresh mulch in your flower beds. Another way to increase your curb appeal, remember that a little bit of lawn care can go a long way.

1. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Is it just getting too hot in your house? Before you go checking your A/C to see if it’s broken, sometimes all you need to do is reverse the direction of your ceiling fan. By spinning counterclockwise, the air gets pushed straight down, creating a cool breeze. To do this, start by shutting off your fan. Locate the direction switch at the top of your fan. Flip the switch and turn your fan back on. 

Added tip: make sure to dust your fan blades while you’re up there.

Once you’ve successfully tackled these tips, you’re now ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of your summer.