Summer is near, so it’s time to make a few adjustments at home to keep yourself comfortable, safe, and healthy. Before planning your backyard barbecues and pool parties, ensure your house is ready for the season. It’s essential to prepare for the summer with a few home improvement ideas so you won’t have to worry about the heat hindering all your fun summer plans. Read this article for tips to help you make the most of the sunny weather without sweating buckets!
Update Your Plumbing Fixtures
During summer, you may use more and more water throughout the day, from more frequent baths to cool you down to filling up the pool a few times because the water evaporates too quickly. This can strain your plumbing system, which can cause different issues like leaks, drips, low pressure, or even clogs. To avoid these problems, you should call an experienced plumber to help you upgrade your plumbing.
Plumbing issues, especially in older houses, are expensive damages that can drain your wallet with every wasted drop of water. Leaks can go undetected for weeks, leading to higher utility bills. Working with a plumbing professional will help you fix these problems as soon as possible, helping you to prepare for the summer and ensure a comfortable stay at home.
Upgrade Your Electric Panel
The summer heat can easily get to you. You’ll keep the AC working overtime, open and close your fridge throughout the day for frozen treats, and constantly charge your devices to keep yourself occupied. All of these will contribute to higher electrical consumption and put a strain on your electric panels. Ensure you prevent electrical issues at home by upgrading to a more modern and sophisticated electrical system.
In this digital world, almost every device is connected to the walls for continuous power, from televisions and desktop computers to refrigerators and HVAC systems. While some are more energy-efficient than others, they can consume a lot of energy simultaneously. With this, you must ensure your electrical panels can withstand this increased consumption to prepare for the summer. You’ll thank yourself later as you’re relaxing on your living room couch and not dealing with electrical issues.
Don’t ever try to DIY this task. Electrical upgrades should only be done by a trained electrician from your electrical company. They’ll have the experience and the equipment to do the job as quickly and safely as possible. Even if there’s a serious issue with your home’s wirings, they can fix the problem immediately so you can stay cool and happy during summer. With some investment in this essential home system, you can avoid many headaches as the heat worsens.
Clear Your Drains
Clogged drains are also commonly discovered during the summer as you take more showers to cool yourself down. It can be gross to fish out clumps of hair or soap debris from your shower drains, but it’s a sign to clean them. Cleaning your drains will relax better when showering or bathing, as you won’t have to worry about stagnant water at your feet. You also won’t have dirt and grime backing up occasionally.
Drain cleaning is relatively simple. Remove as much blockage as possible with something you can push down your drains, like wooden skewers or a drain snake. Then, pour some baking soda and vinegar on it, which can help absorb the stench and sanitize the drain. After an hour or so, you can pour boiling water down the drain until you no longer see grime or smell funky smells. But if there’s still something lodged in there, try using your trusty plunger to pump it out.
Remember to do this with the kitchen sink as well. That drain will be full of oil and food debris, so don’t be surprised if you see various food bits backing up while cleaning it. Clearing your drains is one of the best ways to prepare for the summer, so you should do it a few times throughout the year. Some preventive maintenance will help you avoid badly clogged pipes and ensure an enjoyable summer experience for you and your family.
Get Your Roof Inspected
Although the rain greatly threatens your roof, the summer sun can pose a risk. The roof keeps you dry during the rainy month, but it’s also crucial in keeping heat out of your home during summer. Many people take their roofing for granted when the sun is out, but you should still do roof maintenance to prepare for the summer.
Regular inspections let you catch roof problems before they can significantly damage your house. You can find gaps, cracks, dips, and other issues that let water in. You should also look for drafts where warm air can seep into your house, making the indoor air much hotter. Get up on a ladder and closely examine your roofing to scan for these issues. You should also check your ceilings and attics from the inside for other problems.
Call your roofing contractor immediately if you find any damage. These professionals can more easily fix a detective roof during the warm season than in the rainy months. They will help you catch issues, remedy them, and prevent them from recurring later. Of course, their expert advice on roofing maintenance will give you peace of mind that you don’t have to deal with repairs later. Always give your roof a bit of TLC to keep it in the best condition for summer.
Restore Your Floors
Aside from the roof, you should also look down and pay attention to the floors. You might not think much of it during the summer because you’re always outside and finding other ways to cool down, but your floors keep the home from getting too hot. For example, dingy carpets can harbor dust and dirt, which retains heat inside the house. To prepare for the summer, you should consider restoring your floors to their former glory.
Calling your flooring company to do your floors is always a good idea. Their services may extend to different rooms of your home, giving you various options. They can help you change out your bathroom floor tiles or add epoxy coating to your garage floors. Make sure you communicate exactly what you want to achieve with your contractor so they can make your floors functional and aesthetically pleasing just in time for the summer.
Revamp Your Garage
Many homeowners turn their garages into storage spaces, which is fine, but they’re often forgotten and neglected. However, the garage has so much potential that you should pay more attention to it and see the many possibilities for this space. With a bit of creative thinking, your garage can become your favorite spot in the house, where you’ll spend most of your days just relaxing during the summer.
Focus on the garage door first to prepare for the summer. You want your garage door to do its job well: keeping out intruders and sealing the space for security. But if it creaks and groans, doesn’t close fully, or is full of rust, you should contact your local garage door services for some maintenance. These people can check your garage door and repair it for better functionality. They can also repaint it and add automation technology to make it more beautiful and convenient or replace it entirely with a better model.
Next, think about adding some relaxing features. Maybe you’re ready to turn it into a game room or workshop, so bring in some comfortable furniture, some air conditioning, and the necessary technology for your activities. Again, pay attention to the floor! Depending on what you plan on doing in there, you should seek the right flooring that can withstand your activities, whether woodworking, exercising, or plain lounging.
Clean Your Gutters
You might only think about your gutters when it rains, but you want to prepare for the summer with a clean home from top to bottom, including your gutters. Your gutters collect rainwater from your roof and divert it to your downspouts to prevent the water from stagnating and getting inside your house. If they’re clogged, they won’t do their job well and can cause more severe water damage once it rains.
You can work with gutter cleaning companies if you don’t want to do gutter cleaning on your own. These companies are professional gutter cleaners who understand the complexities of gutter systems and ensure a deep clean for any season. They will take care of simple clogs and stubborn blockages, so you don’t have to deal with them when the rain starts pouring. They may also offer other services like gutter guard installations and repairs to improve the functionality of your gutters.
Refresh Your Siding
You’ll usually see the siding when you imagine your home’s curb appeal. This part of the home adds to its beauty, but it can easily be damaged by the sun and rain, making it look dull and lifeless. To prepare for the summer, you should consider refreshing your siding to boost curb appeal and increase your property’s value.
If the siding is dirty, you can easily clean it with soapy water and a soft brush. This will remove dirt and grime that makes it look old. For more stubborn stains, you might have to use a pressure washer with enough power to blast away extra-difficult blemishes. If you find any damage like cracks, peeling, or loose planks, you should call your siding company for help. They can fix these issues and refresh the look of your siding. These professionals can also help with maintenance. They can do cleanings, repairs, and replacements when needed.
Invest in Fence Maintenance
Another essential element of your property is the fencing. Your fences keep passersby out of your yard while preventing children or pets from dashing out to the streets. They also add to the aesthetic of your home with their charm and appeal. However, constant exposure to the sun and rain can make them look sad and worn out. With some care and maintenance, you can make it look better instantly to prepare for the summer heat.
Start by cleaning it. Depending on the material, you can wipe or scrub it to remove dust and stains. If the paint looks old, you can also repaint it with a new color to change things up. This will also add a new protective layer to the fence and prolong its life. If there are any missing panels, boards, or pieces, you should seek professional help to repair or replace them.
Local fence contractors can help you do this. They can restore old or broken fences to spruce up your property and improve security. Their expertise also allows them to install new fences that will better suit your home design. Depending on what you need and can afford, they can offer various fencing materials like iron, wood, vinyl, or aluminum. With their help, you can maintain beautiful and functional fencing around your land.
Seal or Replace Windows
Lastly, check your windows to prepare for the summer. These structures are always exposed to the sun, so they can look tired or get damaged over the years. These fixtures are also prone to gaps and cracks that let in warm drafts you don’t want when trying to cool your home. You should seal these issues to conserve energy and stay comfortable throughout the season.
If the issue is beyond repair or you’re tired of the look of your windows, you can replace them with newer, more efficient models. Work with a reliable window company when replacing your windows. They can offer different window types that will add some interest to your home while ensuring a good fit with your home needs and budget. You’ll surely enjoy your summer more with new windows!
Always prepare for the summer to ensure your family’s comfort. Your home should be the best space for beating the heat, so invest in a few improvements that offer better livability, energy efficiency, and security. You should also hire the right people to help you make these changes. They can do the job quickly and ensure you don’t go out of your budget to create a beautiful and relaxing house. Start your preparations now for a more pleasant summer experience!
