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 upcoming hot weather.
For expert home maintenance advice, trust the local pros at The Plumbing & Air Service Co. Here’s what you need to know!
Our Best Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Before turning on your AC, use our summer checklist to ensure your home’s systems are in good working order. The summer heat will increase your electricity use and put extra strain on your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
We’ve divided up our comprehensive summertime checklist by system to make your to-do list a little easier.
Summer HVAC Maintenance You Can’t Ignore
Your air conditioning unit is the hero of summer. Start the season with a little preventative maintenance that anyone can handle.
- 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 The Plumbing & Air Service Co. to get your AC ready for summer now. Most homeowners schedule routine maintenance at least once a year; in Greensboro, summer is the perfect time to take a closer look at your equipment.
- 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.
These simple steps for preparing an AC unit for summer can help prevent common summer HVAC issues, 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 as well.
- Inspect your water heater: In addition to leaks, ensure your water heater doesn’t exhibit signs of damage, such as bent valves, discoloration, 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
Since virtually all forms of air conditioning use electricity, you can anticipate higher electric bills right in line with rising temperatures. In addition to improving energy efficiency, ensure that your wiring and outlets can withstand the heat.
- Test your GFCI circuit interrupters (GFCIs): Press the “test” button on allGFCI outlets to ensure they trip. 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 The Plumbing & Air Service Co. 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.
Always rely on a trained and experienced technician to repair damaged or broken electrical outlets, circuits, or infrastructure. The electricians at The Plumbing & Air Service Co. are available 24/7 to ensure your safety and that of your family.
More Summer Home Maintenance Tips
Here are a few more accessible ways to prepare for summer at home.
- 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
Enjoy a stress-free summer by taking care of these common summer maintenance basics. For HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services in Greensboro, count on the highly trained team at The Plumbing & Air Service Co. We’re proud to offer reliable home services to our thriving community.
Ready to get started? Call 336-502-8540 or book online today!