Summer Maintenance for Your Home

Take advantage of the warm weather to do maintenance on the outside of your home and improve your landscape. Here are 20 tasks you might want to consider adding to your summer to-do list:

1. Conduct an energy audit: It is possible to save 20% by plugging gaps and leaks. Beginning inside the house, remove and check switch-plate covers, check around window air conditioners and your attic door. Walk around the outside of your home with a notepad and make note of any gaps or cracks.
2. Insulate hot water pipes: This will save on heating costs next winter.
3. Clean patio furniture: Check for items that need to be repaired or replaced.
4. Clean concrete of any oil residue.
5. Inspect and patch cracks in concrete.
6. 6.     Reseal your asphalt driveway
7. Prune trees; remove dead trees and shrubs.
8. Clean exhaust fans.
9. Mend broken fencing.
10. Check exterior walls for peeling or cracked paint.
11. Inspect bricks and masonry for missing or cracked mortar.
12. Inspect roof for cracked or missing shingles.
13. Inspect foundation walls for signs of termites: tunnels or dirt bridges.
14. Check your home fire extinguisher and replace if necessary.
15. Flush out, drain and refill your water heater.
16. Clean out the septic system.
17. Take paint cans, solvents, and other toxic materials to your city’s free disposal day.
18. Divide and cut back spring bulbs.
19. Fertilize rose bushes.
20. Clean the bird bath.

Links:

Energy audit

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/DIY-home-energy-audit

Insulate hot water pipes

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-insulate-pipes/index.html

Reseal your asphalt driveway

http://lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/videos/clean_reseal_asphalt_driveway_0709.aspx