Summer home maintenance tips

Lee

June 2021

Summer is here! And that means it’s time to take some important measures to prepare your rental home for the hot months ahead. The following are tips that every homeowner (or their trusted property manager) should follow:

Do a test of your smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detectors

• Replace the batteries if needed.

Get your cooling system ready

• Consider getting your HVAC system serviced. Proper air conditioner maintenance can help your HVAC system last longer. This one is especially important for summer home maintenance since you don’t want to be stuck without air conditioning.

Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans

• If your fans spin counterclockwise, it’ll push the air straight down and keep your home nice and cool. To do this, turn off the fan, wait for it to stop, find the direction switch, and check that your fans are spinning counterclockwise.

Check your attic and basement

• In your attic, look for signs of dampness, mildew, leaks, holes in the roof, and pests.
• In the basement, check for leaks, pests, mold, and mildew.

Change the filter in the air conditioner

Give your deck a once-over 

• Check your deck to see if there are any boards that look like they’re rotting. Have them replaced.
• Hammer any nails that are loose.
• You can also check if your deck needs to be resealed by pouring a little water on it. If the water beads into little puddles, you’re good. If it sinks into the wood, you should get your deck resealed against water.

Add a layer of mulch

• If you have plants, the extra mulch will help fight off weeds and help your soil retain moisture during those scorching summer months.

Check for outdoor leaks

• Go on a hunt for leaks by checking all outdoor faucets. Then look at your hose. You can waste a lot of water if there’s even a tiny hole in your hose. Use electrical tape to repair any small holes in your hose.

Protect your home against unwanted guests

• Cover any holes that are more than a quarter-inch wide.
• Get your tree branches trimmed back so they don’t create a highway for squirrels – a squirrel-way if you will – to your attic. Branches should be at least 8 feet from your roof.
• Make sure your outdoor trash bins are tightly sealed to prevent a buffet for pests.
• Do away with yard debris. Leaves and twigs are a haven for animals that might decide to invade your home.
• Tend to your lawn frequently by mowing.

Clean out the gutters and downspouts

• You should clean the gutters at least once a year, perhaps twice if you have a lot of trees around your home.

Inspect the caulking around the windows and doors of your home

• You can keep ants and bugs at bay in the kitchen by adding fresh caulking to your windows and doors.

Trim bushes and plants

• Pay special attention to the area around the HVAC system.

Check your fence

• Have it repainted, resealed, or repaired as needed.

Do you find yourself lacking the time needed to properly care for your rental investment property? If so, hiring a great property manager may be in order. At Omni, we take the preservation of your investment property seriously. We have the experience, knowledge base and systems in place to ensure that your investment will thrive in our care. Click HERE to find out more about our top-notch property management services.