Now Is the Time to Prepare Your Home for Summer
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| Now is is a great time to spruce up your home and do annual maintenance that will improve longevity and energy savings, plus increase enjoyment of your home all summer long. Here’s my short list: Clear out the gutters Water is the biggest culprit of home deterioration, and nowhere is your home more susceptible to water damage than from your roof and gutters. If gutters and downspouts are clogged with debris, that forces water over the edges and onto the sides of your home and into the foundation and basement. While cleaning the gutters, inspect the roof for curled shingles or damaged flashing. Climbing up a tall ladder can be dangerous. You can hire someone to do this! Wash the windows Washing windows, while sometimes tedious, is a way to welcome summer views and improve the overall look of your home. Check for misalignments or cracks in the casements. Caulk them to stop air leaks or water damage. Clean the outdoor AC unit Vacuum or hose out the condenser coils and check under the fan for debris or mice and squirrel nests. Critters love to eat the coating on wires, so look for broken or damaged wires and have them repaired before you turn on and test the unit. Prepare the deck Outdoor living is such a big part of summer, and much of it happens on your deck. To get rid of dirt, mold and mildew, apply a power washer and deck cleaner to the surface. If your deck is wood, you may find dry rot that will require board replacement. Re-staining or sealing and re-painting seem to be needed more often as the years go by. Bug proof your home Insects and critters can penetrate the smallest cracks and be a nuisance at best or do real damage (think termites) at worst. A pest control company or chemicals at the hardware store help seal your home. Many products now are environmentally friendly. Rake the lawn De-thatch dead spots and re-seed. There is nothing like a healthy lawn to make your home look good and help you enjoy your green space. JANICE HOVORKA RE/MAX 303-324-4705 janice@janicehovorka.com http://www.janicehovorka.com Six-Year Five Star Real Estate Agent |