For too many homeowners, home maintenance is something they think about when they see something wrong, or maybe just hear or feel it, like when the AC breaks down in the middle of summer.
Point is…that’s often too late, and it’s always more expensive. Rytech Restoration has some suggestions for maintenance in the month of August.
Best approach? Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or someone who likes to rely on professionals, you should at least think about (and budget for) home maintenance every 30 days.
Ask yourself, “What do I need to do this month to maintain my home and keep it, its’ contents and its’ occupants safe?” There’s always an answer, and for the month of August, Rytech Restoration has six suggestions to put on your list.
1. Check your washing machine connections
With the kids home from school and loads of sweaty garments to clean, your washing machine has likely taken a major beating this summer.
With all that extra use, be sure to check the water supply hoses. If they are older black rubber hoses, check for any bulging in the hose or any parts that look worn. You can swap them out for as little as $25. See www.diyornot.com for some “how to’s” and pricing. If you hire a professional, it should cost around $150. If your hoses are made of rubber, consider upgrading them with the rupture-proof, braided stainless-steel kind.
2. Prune dead wood from your lawn and garden
Ask any home insurance company, and they’ll tell you now’s the time to tidy up any branches, bushes, weeds, vines…any plant growth that is touching the exterior of your house, or worse, growing into parts of the house or siding.
Not only will your home have greater curb appeal, but you can start next summer from ground zero with a better idea of what needs to be done in the winter season to keep it looking nice.
If you are not an experienced professional, consider hiring one should your “pruning” involve a chain saw. Costs vary, of course, based on the size of the yard and the nature of what needs to be “pruned.” In fact, it could cost several hundred dollars or more. But remember, anything touching your roof or hanging over your roof should be removed.
3. Clean out your gutters.
Especially during the rainy months of summer. gutters get clogged with leaves, pine straw, small limbs, and more. When left there, it can degrade to clog your gutter, which then overflows, defeating its purpose. In extreme cases, small plants can spring up that can be seen from the street. Water can collect around your home’s foundation and seep into basements. Often clogged gutters attract rodents that will damage your home or create openings to get inside.
Often an attachment to your garden hose can unclog gutters and is available at local hardware stores. A safer alternative is to hire a company to do this for you at least once a quarter. This is available for as low as $75 every three months and usually includes removing debris from valleys and cleaning skylights. Larger jobs could be as much as $150, depending on the size and slope of your roof.
4. Insects, wasps, mosquitoes, Oh No!
Bug activity is the worst during summer when it’s the hottest, like August. Wasp activity peaks in late summer, and they become more aggressive and likely to sting. Learn how to keep their activity and existence down here.
Be sure all of your screens and doors are in proper operating condition. Broken or loose siding, particularly wooden siding that has begun to rot, often attracts nest building, as do garbage cans, wood, or trash piles.
Regular maintenance can be helpful here, but wasp sprays available from a local hardware store can help you keep a safe distance and should be reapplied every few days until the activity ceases and the nest becomes inactive. Wasp removal professionals can help with big jobs and usually cost less than a few hundred dollars.
For mosquitoes, remove any stagnant water found in potted plants, birdbaths, and other containers--they are breeding grounds for mosquitos. For outdoor gatherings, you can buy some repellants like citronella or basic bug zappers. Many local companies provide a backyard spraying service that you can procure just before a backyard gathering or have as a service all summer for less than $500.
Finally, check the seals around your home, including doors, windows, and dryer vents. Caulk or apply expanding sealants to keep all vermin, insects, and rodents out of your attic or crawl space.
The national average cost of wasp removal ranges between $100 and $400. The cost of mosquito control depends on a variety of factors, including property size and treatment frequency. An entire summer of mosquito treatment could run $500 or more, but you’re more likely to get a deal during later months.
5. Clean outdoor stone and concrete surfaces.
After a series of summer cookouts and gatherings, your patios and steppingstones can show some wear. Sometimes, especially around the barbecue grill, they can be downright disgusting.
Natural stone, too, should be cleaned regularly, whether it’s outdoor granite countertops, stone walkways, or patios. Remove the dirt and oil stains to keep them from setting in and leaving permanent damage. Garden hose attachments that direct powerful sprays along with approved detergents can be helpful--usually available from your local hardware store. Avoid using harsh cleaning products on natural stone and apply with a soft cloth. For a longer-lasting finish and better protection against stains and grime, consider applying a water-based penetrating sealer.
In serious cases with mold or permanent damage, you may need to call in a professional, in which case it could cost up to $1,000 depending on the size of the job and degree of damage. Consider covering your valuable outdoor natural stone when it’s not in use with waterproof tarps or form-fitting covers.
6. Prep your furnace or HVAC for winter.
Whether you live in the north or the south, Air Conditioners and winter heating equipment like furnaces fail during the winter months, usually on the coldest days.
That’s why August is the perfect month to have them checked. An annual inspection can save money, maintain consistent temperatures, and keep units safe when they are turned on after long periods without use. For those who want to be ahead of the game and reduce anxiety, most professionals dealing with HVAC systems provide semi-annual check-ups as part of their overall service package.
And, if you ever need the assistance of a professional company, call Rytech Restoration. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of customers pick up the pieces after disasters since 1995 for both residential and commercial. We also do fire cleanup, mold remediation, and decontamination services.
