Summer is a great time of year to pay extra attention to some often-overlooked areas of one’s home.
In a recent post from HouseLogic.com, Kelley Walters identifies five summer maintenance tasks to undertake during this season’s longer days and better weather that will save time and money this winter.
Update outdoor lighting
Winter nights are probably the last thing on your mind during the summer months. But this is the perfect time to plan for those “OMG, it’s only 4:30, and it’s already dark “ moments by adding or updating landscape lighting.
The most energy-efficient, easy-to-install option is solar lighting, but it won’t perform as well on dark or snowy days. For light no matter the weather, install electric lights.
Clean house’s siding
With a bit of preventive maintenance, your home’s siding will stay clean and trouble-free for up to 50 years. Fifty years!
Clean it this season with a soft cloth or a long-handled, soft-bristle brush to guarantee that longevity. Start at the bottom of your house and work up, and then rinse it before it dries to avoid streaks.
Focus on foundation
There’s no better time for inspecting your foundation than warm, dry summer. Eyeball it for crumbling mortar, cracks in the stucco, or persistently damp spots – especially under faucets. Then call a pro to fix any outstanding issues now, before they become an emergency later.
Seal asphalt driveway
Your driveway takes a daily beating. Weather, sunlight, cars, bikes and foot traffic all can damage the asphalt. Help it last by sealing it.
Tip: The temperature must be 50 degrees or higher for sealer to stick, making summer a good time for this easy, cost-effective job.
Buy tools
If it’s time to replace a bunch of tools or you’re starting from scratch, look for package deals that offer several at once. These can pack a savings wallop, offering 30% off or more over buying the tools individually.
The days are longer and the weather is warm – and using this time to make the most of your most valued investment is a great decision.
Realtors help their clients and community all year long with their homeownership needs. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serve Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The Association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations/board of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local Association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines – appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Working alongside Realtors are our Affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the Association. Our Affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control and insurance.