Now that we are well into the hot summer months, it’s better late than never to begin your summer home maintenance projects. Working on your home in the heat isn’t ideal, but you’ll want to finish as much as you can before it’s too late. We know with the start of a new season, homeowners often feel overwhelmed by the need to make improvements and upgrades, and, at times, they can become unmanageable.

We’ve prepared a checklist of summer maintenance tasks so that you can enjoy your home to the fullest before it gets cold again and so you can feel more prepared for the summer season. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Test Your Smoke Detectors

There are many ways you can maintain your smoke alarm systems and ensure they’re in working order. According to the National Fire Protection Association, it’s important to replace your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries twice a year. You should also test that your smoke alarms are still operating properly by pressing the test button once a month. It’s important that everyone living in the home is aware of how the smoke alarm works and what the alarm sounds like.

Patio or Deck Maintenance

There’s a good chance you didn’t use your patio or deck a single time during the winter. And with good reason! But now that it’s summer, it’s time to get the deck cleaned and, if necessary, treated, and re-stained. According to Architectural Digest, it is recommended to pressure wash your deck to remove any mold or debris. As a result, this will extend the life of your deck.

If you want to get an even deeper clean, you can fill a bucket with a non-ammonia dish soap, such as Murphey’s, and warm water and use a scrub brush to get the rest of the grime. Once the deck is cleaned, it’s time to make it aesthetically pleasing for guests and family. Clean any seat cushions from outdoor furniture, deep clean the BBQ grill, and debug all the porch lights. Doing all of this is sure to get your deck or patio in great shape and impress guests.

Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Cleaning your gutters is one of the most effective ways to maintain the lifespan of your home. This involves removing any debris, leaves, or sticks from the roof gutters and downspouts to ensure the free flow of rainwater from the roof to the ground. According to Axium’s Premier Partner, Ableman Gutters & Ice Dam Services, “Proper flow of water through your gutters is important to eliminate the risk of costly damage to the interior, foundation and siding of your home or business.” At the very least, gutters should be cleaned once a year and for optimal performance, two or three times a year is ideal.

When cleaning your gutters, make sure to be extra careful on the ladder as there were more than 580,000 ladder-related injuries in 2018 in the U.S. according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. If you are unable to clean your own gutters, consider hiring a gutter cleaning service, such as Ableman, to help get the project complete and your home in better shape.

Check Your Drainage 

It’s vital to ensure you have effective grading, properly positioned downspouts, and well-performing gutters to avoid potential issues caused by seasonal rains. According to Connect2Local, “the ground should always drop a half inch for every 1 foot that you move away from the home, for at least 5 to 7 feet.” It’s important to ensure that your ground never slopes towards the home which is how structural issues can begin with water draining into ground directly underneath the home.

If any drainage issues with your house need addressing this summer, it is recommended to reach out to a professional and certified structural engineer. Axium’s Premier Partner, Level Engineering & Inspection, is Colorado’s top structural engineering firm with a focus on commercial properties, homeowners, foundations, special inspections, emergency response, architecture, and much more!

HVAC Systems

Regularly cleaning your vents and maintaining the HVAC ducts can be a great way to keep the air clean, your HVAC running smoothly, keep unwanted pests out, and save you money! According to Home Advisor, “on average, duct cleaning costs $376, or between $268 and $489. As dirt collects on furnace and AC parts, it hurts their performance…and efficiency.”

For any serious issues with your HVAC system, we recommend calling a technician to plan a biannual checkup and service maintenance.

If you are unsure of something or notice a serious potential issue during your summer maintenance, call Axium Inspections at 720-740-2338 or schedule online at axiuminspections.com so that you can get a professional 2nd opinion.