HELPFUL INFORMATION FROM WISE HOME INSPECTIONS
Summer is the busiest season for many. When most families are on a beach vacation, friends have beer and barbecues, and others get married. Now that the heatwave is soon over, it’s never a done deal for home improvements. While there may not be many swimming and grilling days left by the time August rolls around, it’s not too soon to get some work done to get your home ready before cool weather hits in.
Homeownership comes with an unending list of remodeling and maintenance projects. Being able to do them timely can be tricky, especially when you’re enjoying the outdoors. The best time for your home improvement projects is when the kids are back at school; pretty much when your hassle and stress will be at a minimum.
Check Out These 6-End-Of-Summer Home Improvement Tips .
1. Clean Out The Gutters:
The end of summer or early fall is the best time to clean out your gutters. Twigs, wet leaves, and other debris will weigh down gutters over time. These are major culprits of clogging drains and can cause leaks or water to infiltrate your home. Avoid these problems by cleaning out all debris and rinsing the gutters using a water hose to ensure they are entirely clear. It is also good to check for any leaks, loose joints, corrosion, or bent downspouts while cleaning them out.
For safety, if you clean gutters yourself, be careful on that ladder. Better yet, consider hiring a professional gutter cleaner. You are better off paying for a professional than for ladder-related injuries.
2. Update Deck And Fence:
Summer is over, and your house has likely collected quite an amount of dust and grime, just about time to give your deck and fence a good look. Power washing your deck and railing will remove dirt buildup, debris, mold, mildew, and more. Use the right amount of water pressure, and your deck and fence surfaces will appear new once again. Remember that too much water pressure can damage your deck or fence.
If you plan to update your deck or fencing, the end of summer is a great time to get that done. Staining or painting decks and fences can be fussy. The temperature needs to be warm to complete any staining or painting needs. Drying times vary depending on the different stain and paint types/brands and where you’re located.
3. Paint Your Home’s Exterior:
Everyone needs a little change to keep a fresh perspective, and the new paint will freshen up the look of your home’s exterior. Painting the exterior walls is best done at the end of summer. That way, you could work around it on a cooler day with lower humidity, so the paint dries properly. Understanding your local weather patterns is key, so plan for painting.
4. Roof Repair And Replacement:
If you need your roof repaired, now can be a great time to get it done or get a new one installed. You don’t want your roof contractor working in icy or wet conditions. A roof replacement can be very costly, so make sure you have a professional inspect the roof for any damaged gutters, shingles, and siding, as water leaks can wreak havoc on your home. Be sure to plan the roof replacement process to take 1-3 weeks, and be sure to hire a contractor you trust.
5. HVAC System Repair and Maintenance:
Laying out at the beach and sunset barbecues are just some of the joys of summer. But many of us may not enjoy the heat, and air conditioning provides just the comfort and convenience every homeowner needs to stay cool.
Now that the summer heat is soon to be over, it is time to do repairs or preventive maintenance on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. It is recommended to schedule a professional HVAC contractor before you’ll need to turn on the heat for the coming cool weather. Have your HVAC system cleaned, air filter replaced, drainage line cleared, thermostat tested, and more. That way, your HVAC system will be more cost-efficient, and an inspection will alert you to any problems.
6. Windows And Doors:
Summer is a great time to do many family events, and you will want to choose the right time for your home improvement projects. Over the summer, you’ve likely collected dust on your doors and windows, and cleaning them at the end of summer is ideal. Home improvement projects can make things easier and worry-free for contractors to do the job without the cold, moisture, and elements of the other seasons taking effect.
Walk around the house and check the windows and doors. Clean out dust with a bucket of water mixed with a few drops of liquid dish soap. Wipe clean using a microfiber cloth or sponge from top to bottom, including the frames, finish off with a vinegar and water solution spray and a lint-free towel for a streak-free clean.
You can seal cracks and prevent warm or cool air from leaking into or from your home by caulking and weather stripping door and window frames where necessary.
You can also replace windows with more energy-efficient and money-saving options. It may cost a little more upfront, but updating doors and windows with impact heating and cooling options can reduce energy use by up to 30% per year. That’s more energy and money saved than what is spent, to begin with.
Home improvement tasks are much easier to achieve the best-finished results when you plan for and start scheduling at the end of summer. Nonetheless, planning when to get your home improvement projects done is more about researching and having a thoroughly thought out plan and less about the weather.
What is the most important end-of-summer maintenance project that will have you enjoying the fall and, hopefully, cooler weather? Plan for it then enjoys it.
