Owning a home is no simple feat. Each season comes with its own to-do list of upkeep, but with the right tools and an action plan in mind, maintaining your home can be simple! This summer, keep your home in tip-top shape by checking things off of this list:
- Check your smoke detectors. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can help prevent tragedy from striking, so make sure the ones in your home are in working order. Hold the test button down monthly and wait for the beep to confirm that they’re working. Replace the batteries if necessary and make sure a detector is present on every floor of your home.
- Polish your porch. During the summer, most people like to enjoy the great outdoors. If your home features a porch, patio, or deck, you’ll want it looking its best during the time you spend on it. Newer patios will only require a simple sweep, but if you’ve had your patio for some time, have it restained by a painting professional. They’ll ensure the surface is properly sanded and evenly stained, leaving your porch looking refreshed!
- Touch up your exterior paint. A quick fix that can work miracles, touching up areas of your home’s exterior that might be cracked, chipped, or worn from the elements is best done on cooler summer days. If you’re unsure of the color that was used to paint your home’s siding, contact the professionals that handled it. They’ll be able to give you the name and brand of the paint color or provide you with the closest match if the color is no longer sold.
- Wash your windows. Summer is the best time to wash your windows, but make sure to do it early in the morning or at sundown to avoid those pesky streaks! Use your favorite streak-free cleaner or a washcloth, warm water, and soap to remove the pollen and debris buildup from the spring. Don’t forget about your screens. They can collect just as much, if not more, dust and pollen, so give them a gentle scrub with a brush and soapy water.
- Pressure wash your driveway. Most homeowners don’t consider giving their driveway a good clean, but it’s an area of your landscape that receives a lot of foot (and car) traffic! Dirt, debris, and even oil and other liquids from your car can seep into a porous driveway. To give yours a good clean, start by removing any weeds that you might see in your driveway, inspecting for cracks or holes along the way. Repair or repave any damage, then use a pressure washer to remove set-in dirt, grease, and grime.
Looking for help with your home’s exterior maintenance? CertaPro Painters of Cape Ann can help! Contact their team of experts for exterior painting and pressure washing this summer.
