Staying on top of home maintenance projects is always a great habit. The best way to prevent “deferred maintenance”–a dreaded term in real estate–is to attend to problems as soon as you notice them. For example, letting those gutters stay plugged will eventually lead to roof and foundation problems, both of which are much more serious and costly than a clogged gutter. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So, in the spirit of efficient home maintenance here are 7 timely home maintenance tips for July:
#1 SHOW YOUR BASEMENT SOME LOVE
If you are lucky enough to have a basement, you already know that it can be one of the most useful areas in your home. Make your basement a place you want to spend time in. The beauty of basements is that they tend to be the coolest room in the house in the heat of summer. As well, they provide a safe place to go during storms. Easy ways to spruce up the basement include painting the concrete floor, adding area rugs, comfy furniture, a TV, and gaming centers.
#2 POOL PERFECTION
Got a pool? Lucky you. Keep in sparkling by staying on top of cleaning and chlorinating. As the heat increases, so does the necessity of keeping effective chlorine levels in your pool to fight algae invasion. Summer is the time to enjoy the pool, and nobody wants to swim in a pool that’s turned green.
#3 BE PREPARED FOR NATURAL DISASTERS
Ironically, all that beautiful summer weather can result in a number of natural disasters. Whether you live in tornado alley or a high fire risk area, make sure you have a plan and your “go bag” is ready to go.
#4 SECURE YOUR HOME
Statistically, July is the most popular month for people to take vacations with 42% of us leaving home for some fun. Meanwhile, summer months show the highest incidence of home burglaries and break-ins. Make sure your house continues to look occupied during your absence. Continue yard maintenance, put mail on-hold, use automatic light timers, and an outdoor security camera system that can be remotely accessed.
#5 DON’T LET BUGS BUG YOU
July is a great month for outdoor gatherings and hanging out on the porch or deck. Don’t let dirty light fixtures filled with dead bugs kill the mood.
#6 CLEAN THE FRIDGE
There is no better time to address this odious task than during the blazing heat of summer.
#7 FEED YOUR OUTDOOR PLANTS
After the initial blush of spring, your yard plants will appreciate some extra help during the long, hot days of July. Remember to reset your sprinkler and drip systems to address watering needs. Outdoor plants in the dead heat of summer will continue to look good when they receive weekly deep waterings. And adding some fertilizer to your lawn, flower beds and trees will keep your plants extra happy and beautiful through the long, hot summer months.