Summer Home Maintenance Tips

It’s important to take care of your home all year long and to keep it in the best possible condition. The summer is a great time for homeowners around Bristol and Warren, Rhode Island and throughout New England and the Northeastern states to give your home a little TLC.  Home maintenance can protect your home and also prevent major repairs when the foul weather of fall and winter return. Homeowners insurance can cover you for a lot of accidents and incidents, but it doesn’t cover a home that has been neglected. The following is a checklist to make sure home is protected throughout the summer months.

You can also view other tips from one of our carriers – Travelers Insurance.

HVAC Maintenance

Your air condition unit will get a lot of use during the summer. Make sure it works efficiently and will work when you need it most by having it serviced early in the summer. The technician will clean your unit, repair small problems before they become big ones, and make sure that everything is working properly.

Change Your Filters

Changing out your air filters regularly will also keep your unit in good shape. Depending on how much you use your AC, you’ll want to change your filter anywhere from every 30 days to every 90 days. Clean filters keep the air flowing easily and efficiently in your home so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work quite as hard. In the summer, be prepared to change filters once a month.

Check your Gutters

Summer rains can hit hard and fast. When they do, give that water a place to go with clean gutters and downspouts. This is also a good time to repair broken or worn gutters and downspouts. When water can’t easily be moved away from your home, it can create long-term problems like rot and mold. Summer downpours can wash away a lot of the dirt and grime that collect during the more damaging months, which can reveal cracks, breaks and holes in your gutters.

Review Your Roof

Once a year, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional to ensure there are no small problems that could become a big issue during the rainy season.

Clean Out Vent

One area of home maintenance that gets overlooked frequently by homeowners is to check the dryer vent and hose. Neglect in this area could potentially cause a house fir that your homeowners insurance might not cover. According to statistics released by the Fire Administration here in the United States, approximately 16,000 dryer fires occur each year due to clogged hoses and vents. Clear out lint and dust with a special vent cleaning tool that can be purchased at a local hardware or home improvement store.

Check Decks, Balconies and Other Structures

After a harsh winter, do an inspection of your deck, balcony or other outside structures for cracked or rotted boards, chipped paint and loose nails.

Inspect the Paint or Siding on Your Home

Walk around home to make sure paint and siding is not cracked or peeling. If so, touch up any possible areas.

Check Landscaping Elements

Do a walk-around on your property to make sure that trees, shrubbery and other landscaping elements are properly trimmed and in good condition. Remove any dead, rotting or broken branches – especially if they are hanging over your roof, garage, walkway, fence or any other important structure

Clean Your Exterior

Maintain your house’s exterior by power washing the walls this summer. This will help remove stains and mildew. Cover doors, windows, and electrical outlets before you power wash.

You put a lot of working into keeping up your home. To ensure you have sufficient homeowners insurance to protect your home and your hard work, please contact one of our agents at John Andrade Insurance. Check in with us from time to time if you make any changes to your home, such as put on a new roof, upgrade your HVAC equipment, remodel your kitchen or add a swimming pool. We are here to help you safeguard your house and all of its contents this summer and through the rest of the year.