TOP 10 TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SUMMER

People often remember the importance of preparing their homes for the cold winter months but neglect to plan for summer. We remember to take care of spring cleaning inside the home and fall cleaning outside, but summer is overlooked. Yet there are several important steps you should be taking care of before or as summer approaches. Some of these are seasonally appropriate and others are just tasks that should be done annually so this is as good a time as any to take care of them.

Change the direction of your ceiling fan – Many homeowners are not even aware of the fact that they should be using the directional operation on their ceiling fan. In the summer you want to be sure that the direction of your ceiling fans will create a breeze which makes the room feel cooler. This is the opposite of what should have been done in the winter when it was changed in order to circulate heat.

Replace your HVAC filters – Your filters should be changed or at least cleaned every month, 60 days at the most. So the start of summer is the opportune time to start the season with a fresh filter. It is especially important this time of year because of the increase in allergens in the air.

Plant or trim existing tree by outside air conditioning unit – The shade helps your system run more efficiently by directing already cooler air inside. If you have already been growing one, this is the ideal time to trim it and make sure it, or other debris, are not blocking or affecting the ability of the unit to work properly. We buy houses in Hialeah

Inspect the roof – Flashing, caulking, shingles and other elements of the roof should be checked thoroughly. This is especially important if you had any severe spring storms. If so, check the roofing sooner or let a professional have a look. If you have damage that might be covered by your home owners insurance, you have a small window of time in which to file a claim.

Check around windows and doors for caulking etc – Summer is the ideal time for bugs to start to find their way into your home. Prevent insects or warm air from getting in by inspecting all the possible ways the outside elements can sneak into your home.

Prepare the pool – If you are fortunate enough to have a pool then now is the time to get it ready for another full season of use. If you do not have the time then pay a professional to come over for cleaning it and getting the water levels where they should be and ready for use.

Get other outdoor areas ready – Your patio, porch or outdoor kitchen or living area are all about to go into overdrive. You may have even used these areas some during the fall, winter or spring. But now is a good time to do a thorough cleaning and make sure there is no damage from previous seasons.

Check on the attic – This is especially important if you do not have a vent or fan to adequately circulate the air in this part of your home. Go through boxes and get rid of things you no longer need. And if you have valuables that may not fare well during extreme summer heat and relocate them to a more appropriate area of your home.

Switch over to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs – These bulbs give off much less heat than standard incandescent bulbs. Make the rooms feel cooler and help reduce strain on your cooling system by making the switch.

Consider your landscaping – Planting, mowing and all those other tasks that make the exterior of your home really stand out during this time year should be planned for. Decide if you are mowing or hiring a professional landscaper and the same goes for cleaning up your landscaping. Keeping the yard clean and organized now will make it easier for you to start leaf cleaning once fall rolls in.

Most of all, have fun and get ready to make more great summer family memories.

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SIX WAYS TO IMPROVE THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR FAMILY HOME

The outside of your family home is important for many reasons. First, it is a projection of the identity of your family to the outside world. Second, the exterior of your home adds to your family’s enjoyment of its living spaces. Third, the curb appeal of your residential exterior is an immensely important factor in determining the value of your property.

The following is a short list of ways that you can improve the look of your residential exterior. Some of these tasks can be conducted simply by you. Others are projects that are best conducted with the help of professional exterior remodelers. Either way, conducting any of the following tasks can vastly improve your family’s enjoyment by beautifying the exterior of your home.

Manage Roof Water Runoff

One common problem that negatively affects almost all aspects of your residential exterior is overflowing gutters. When your gutters are clogged or dirty, water cascades down on the siding and landscaping of your property. This situation can cause water damage and facade deterioration on you room, siding, landscaping, and foundation. Performing routine gutter maintenance goes a long way in improving the look of your family home. Moving Arizona

Routinely Clean Vinyl Siding

One of the beauties of vinyl siding is the supremely low level of maintenance that is required by this material. If you have not cleaned your vinyl siding for an extended period of time, chances are that dirt and grime have accumulated. The first time you clean your vinyl siding, this accumulation may be somewhat difficult to remove. Consider using a power washer the first time. After you clean your vinyl siding, if you give it a quick washing once or twice a year, you can feel confident that the exterior of your home will always look amazing.

Install Landscape Lighting

When you embark on a project with the goal of beautifying the exterior of your home, it is always a great idea to think of improvements that will have other benefits. Landscape lighting is one of the best multipurpose projects that can really improve the look of your family home. Landscape lighting improves security and safety on your property. It allows your family to use the outside of your property for activities even after the sun has gone down. Best of all, landscape lighting can give your home an elegant or ethereal look during the evening.

Design Residential Hardscaping

Another multipurpose exterior improvement is residential hardscaping. If your property has all gray concrete footpaths and driveways, you can consider revitalizing your property by resurfacing or decorating the concrete. If you are working with a blank canvas, you can use a wide variety of materials to achieve whatever look you would like. Cobblestones are a great choice for garden footpaths. Interlocking brick can provide a classic look to any driveway.

Revitalize Your Front Door

If there is a center focal point to your residential exterior, it is the front door. Although it is a small amount of your exterior surface area, the front door is vitally important for exterior aesthetics. Your front door should be welcoming to friends and family members alike. If you have a solid wood door, consider stripping the paint and staining and sealing the wood. The natural warmth and beauty of a wooden door could really set off the outside of your family home. During your door refurbishment project, you can also consider energy efficiency augmentations as well.

Clean Your Residential Roof

After revitalizing the small surface area of your front door, you should put your mind to sprucing up the largest surface area that is your residential roof. Homeowners often fail to consider the fact that roofs can get dirty too. A metal roof often times has oxidation or rust stains. Asphalt shingles can be discolored and grow mold or mildew. By cleaning your residential roof, you can improve the largest area of your home’s exterior. Remember to do some research or consult with a professional; certain roof cleaning processes are better for different materials.

Lastly, in all of these projects, you and your family should remember to have fun. The exterior of your property is a reflection of you and your family. In design projects, be open minded and creative. In maintenance projects, enjoy helping each other beautify the exterior of the place where your most precious family memories are made. If you keep these in mind, your project will be a success.

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