It’s important to keep up with home maintenance repairs. Peeling paint and a window screen a hole may seem like small eyesores but if you put off maintenance and repairs too long, it can undermine the structural integrity of your house and lead to much bigger, more expensive repair jobs.
In Michigan, it’s especially important to regroup and do summer maintenance, after surviving yet another punishing winter and the heavy rains of spring. Following are some of the key items that should be on your summer home maintenance checklist:
Roof
After the hard cold seasons, you should clear your gutters and downspout of debris, and tighten them if they’ve been loosened. Inspect your entire roof, repairing any damaged shingles. If there is extensive damage, a lot of discolored or missing shingles or leaking, you many need a professional quote for roof repair or replacement.
Check your roof shingle warranty so you can keep track of the recommended time for how long the roof tiles are rated. When the warranty expires, it’s usually a good time to get the roof replaced.
Paint and Siding
Check the paint of your home exterior, including window frames and doors, to see if you need any touch-ups.
No matter what type of siding you have, it needs to be cleaned once a year, perhaps with a power hose. If there is damage to your siding, then you should repair it. If you are lucky, you thought ahead to keep some extra pieces of siding when it was installed.
If your home is natural or painted wood, you might want to paint or re-stain it if it is looking worn. If the exterior, including door and trims, needs a full paint job, consider hiring professionals to handle the task, ensuring the best results.
Also, if your energy bills have been going through the roof, then summer is a good time to replace windows and doors with energy-efficient alternatives.
Deck
Outdoor structures such as decks and porches will need to be cleaned with a power hose. Depending on the type of wood they are made of, they may also require an annual application of sealant.
Landscaping
Inspect gardens and lawns for insect infestations. Remove weeds, as well as dead plants and tree branches, and add mulch. Keep in mind that during hot weather it’s better to water gardens and lawns before sunset, so the water is absorbed and not evaporated by the heat.
Inside the Home
Change your HVAC filter monthly, especially since it gets year-round use with the furnace and air conditioning running. Touch up paint inside the house and repair caulking when wear is apparent.
Check doors and windows for leaks and cracks to ensure your cooled air stays inside during the summer months. Also monitor humidity, checking condensation on the windows or using a digital hygrometer. If the humidity is too high, then consider purchasing a dehumidifier.
If you need home maintenance or repairs, contact us to schedule a free consultation. As one of the most experienced siding and exterior remodeling companies in Michigan, John McCarter Construction is dedicated to your service, offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
