Summer is a great time to get things done. The weather is warmer, there is less rain, the days are longer, and you generally have more time away from work.
Whether it is your home, your beach house, or rental property with tenants, you need to look after a property.
Regular home maintenance is key to maintaining the look, function, and value of your home, and will ensure that you detect any potential problems and deal with them before they get worse. Simple maintenance tasks can quickly snowball into costly repairs when avoided.
Fixing The Little Things
Summer is the time to fix all those things on your to-do list – the wobbly tap, the leaking pipe, the dodgy toilet seat, any of the little things you have been putting off.
Wash The Exterior
The exterior of your house, including the external paintwork, take a real battering from the elements and the surrounding environment. Your home can be exposed to road dust, traffic pollutants, plant pollens, and seaspray, depending on your location. This debris will build up if left unwashed, compromising your home’s exterior both structurally and aesthetically.
Double the lifespan of your paint job and prevent any structural damage by washing the exterior of your house once a year.
Wash Your Roof
Allowing a build-up of moss, mould and lichen on your roof can halve its life expectancy. It can cost upwards of $10,000 to replace a roof; this is not a cost you want sneaking up on you before it is due.
If you are on tank water, it is paramount that you maintain a clean roof. If not, you will compromise the quality of the water supply to your home.
Clear The Gutters
Clearing your gutters at least once a year can prevent leaks and water damage. Blocked drains can cause a backflow of water into your property and lead to leaks inside your home, the initial damage of which is not visible to the naked eye. By the time you notice you have an issue, you are in for some costly repairs.
Prune And Trim
Trees and plants can grow incredibly fast in our fertile soil. Keep your trees fruiting and prevent them from taking over your garden by pruning them regularly.
Repaint Interior Walls
Summer is the perfect time to paint any walls that need some attention. Open the windows and doors to let the breeze through, and the paint will be dry in no time. Not to mention the warm winds will sweep those paint fumes away almost instantly.
Reseal The Deck
Just like your exterior walls, your deck also takes a lot of pressure from the sun and rain. Resealing or restaining it will prolong the life of the wood, prevent splinters, and keep it looking great. The same applies to any outdoor furniture you have.
Annual Cleaning
Summer is an excellent time to shampoo carpets and rugs, clean those super high windows, deal with the tired-looking grout in the bathroom, and water blast your paths. All of these jobs refresh your home and deliver a high level of satisfaction when complete.
Safety
Check all smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning and still valid.
Security
The summer holidays are a prime time for burglaries, so this is an excellent time to check that your home is secure. Fix any broken window latches, ensure doors bolt as they should and check your alarm is in working order.
Sweep Your Chimney
If you have a fireplace, you must get your chimney swept annually. An unswept chimney is not just a safety hazard, but if you can’t prove you have had it cleaned each year professionally, your insurance policy will be void in the event of a house fire.
Jobs To Prioritise For Sale
All maintenance jobs are essential, but if you are planning on selling your home, then you should focus on the following:
- Address any issues in the bathroom or kitchen – invest in anything that will improve functionality or aesthetics
- Fix any damage – both major and minor
- Fill holes and repaint walls
- Replace non-functioning doorknobs and window latches
- Improve your kerb appeal
- Spring clean – carpets, windows, wash house exterior
- Tidy the garden