Maintaining your home for summer is important, and a little prevention can go a long way toward avoiding unexpected problems. By taking steps now, like preparing your AC and checking your plumbing, you’ll be able to enjoy worry-free beach days later. This summer maintenance checklist outlines essential tasks to prepare your home for the hot weather ahead.
For expert home maintenance advice, trust the local pros at Mission Plumbing Heating & Cooling. Here’s what you need to know!
Summer Home Maintenance Tips From the Pros
Before you turn off the heat and fire up the AC for the season, run through our summertime checklist to ensure all of your home’s core systems are in excellent condition. Increased electricity use, high temperatures, and other factors put extra strain on your home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment.
We’ve divided up our summertime checklist according to each system.
Summer HVAC Maintenance You Can’t Ignore
Your home’s air conditioning system can make or break your summer. Fortunately, preventative maintenance goes a long way toward reducing the risk of unexpected issues. In Shawnee, summer is the perfect time to take a closer look at your equipment.
- Replace your air filter: To ensure clean, healthy indoor air,swap out your air filter every one to three months. It’s usually a good idea to replace your filter more frequently if you have spring or summer allergies from tree or grass pollen.
- Schedule AC service: Schedule an appointment with Mission Plumbing Heating & Cooling to get your AC ready for summer now. Most homeowners schedule routine maintenance at least once a year.
- Clear the outdoor unit: If you have central air conditioning, inspect the outdoor condenser unit for debris and obstructions. Clear away leaves, branches, weeds, or sticks that may restrict air flow.
To prepare your AC unit for summer, follow these simple steps. This can help you avoid common problems, such as frozen evaporator coils, dirty condenser coils, or refrigerant leaks.
Read More: How to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Summer Plumbing Maintenance Checklist
Especially after a long winter, homeowners may find leaks or other issues during the transition from frigid temperatures to high heat. Preparing plumbing for summer can help keep your water bill in check by addressing leaks and preventing equipment failure.
- Check for leaks: Inspect faucets, showerheads, and toilets for leaks. Listen for drips and look for water stains or other visible signs of water damage. Don’t forget about appliances; check beneath and behind your dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator, too.
- Inspect your water heater: In addition to leaks, make sure your water heater doesn’t have signs of damage, such as bent valves, discoloration or rust, or sediment buildup. The best way to check for sediment is to listen for rumbling when water is running anywhere in the house.
You can prevent summer plumbing problems by rinsing off sandy feet outside and keeping outdoor water use in check. Avoid using too much water at the same time, such as washing clothes while watering the lawn, to reduce strain on pipes.
Summer Electrical Maintenance Checklist
Air conditioning units, heat pumps, even your trusty ceiling fan: they all use electricity. That means your electricity bill is likely to follow rising summer temperatures. Addressing potential electrical systems will keep you safe and may lower your bills! Here’s what to do:
- Test your GFCI circuit interrupters (GFCIs): Press the “test” button on allGFCI outlets to make sure it trips. This will cause the “reset” button to pop up. If it works, simply press the reset button again to restore power to the outlet. If a GFCI outlet doesn’t trip, contact Mission Plumbing Heating & Cooling for replacement.
- Inspect outlets and switches: Check for cracks, loose plates, or signs of damage. If you notice evidence of melting, smoke marks, or other issues, stop using the outlet and contact an electrician.
- Examine outdoor outlets and lighting: Especially if you haven’t used exterior electrical components since last summer, inspect outdoor components for damage. Clear any vegetation that might grow near outlets.
Remember, only trained electricians have the skills and tools to fix damaged or faulty electrical equipment.
More Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Here are a few easy ways to prepare your home for summer’s heat and save you time, money, and energy in the future:
- Switch your ceiling fan direction: Take a moment to reverse your ceiling fan direction to counterclockwise to cool down spaces efficiently!
- Tidy up the lawn: Trim trees and brush away from your home, remove dead plants and weeds, and pick up any sticks. This will make mowing easier.
- Look for pests and rodents: Inspect the outside of your home for signs of insect damage or pest infestation. Critters love to make space for themselves in exterior vents, window ledges, and cracked foundations.
Make This Your Best Summer Yet
There’s nothing quite like summer in Shawnee. Stay ahead of unexpected HVAC, plumbing, or electrical problems by tackling summer maintenance basics. For everything else, count on Mission Plumbing Heating & Cooling for prompt and professional home services. We’re proud to serve you!
Contact our friendly team or call 913-347-5425 to schedule your appointment today. We look forward to helping you!