8 TIMELY TIPS FOR AUGUST HOME MAINTENANCE

– Well, it’s the middle of August, this month comes with the opportunity to get ahead of some end-of-season preventative maintenance.

We’re not going to mention the “F” word that comes with the changing of the leaves just yet but there’s some prep that could be on your August Home Maintenance todo list by the end of the month.

You may be thinking: “I don’t really have the time or money for this kind of thing.” But we’re here to tell you that it’s important to think about it now, rather than waiting until something breaks or leaks. As they say, an ounce of prevention…

Here are our TOP 8 TIMELY TIPS for August Home Maintenance:

EXTERIOR

• Tip top roof. If you have a flat roof, check for leaks and make sure it’s properly sealed. If you have a pitched roof, check for damage or missing shingles.
• Down in the gutters. If you didn’t already do this in the spring… make sure they’re in good condition and aren’t leaking or clogged with debris. Clean out your gutters regularly so they don’t overflow with rainwater during storms—this can cause damage to your house!
• Spa Day. If you have an outdoor spa, check that all equipment is working properly, including filters and pumps. You should also check for any leaks or cracks.

INTERIOR

• Check and detect. Make sure your home’s smoke detectors and CO2 detector(s) are in working order and replace batteries if necessary. Smoke detectors also have an expiry date so make note of these so you’re ahead of the game.Unfortunately, you might still get the inevitable low battery chirp at 3am… we don’t have any great suggestions to eliminate that besides proactively changing the batteries before they get low.
• Breathing clearly. Check your air intakes and exhausts for any blockages – this includes your furnace and air exchange units. Clean out your air exchange unit, if you have one, and check or change your furnace filters. Also, check your clothing dryer exhaust for lint blockage.
• Get a handle on things. Fix any exterior door handles that may need adjusting or replacing now before having to do it in the winter… trust us, we’ve been there! And double check that your window latches are closing and will have a good seal for colder weather.
• Clear the air. With summer humidity in the air, a bathroom fan has to work even harder to clear air following a shower. Remove the plate and clean any mildew and dust that may have built up over the last few months. A good clean will ensure the fan is working at maximum capacity.

GET BACK OUT THERE

• Soak up it up! Enjoy these final days of summer. Take advantage of the sunny season and enjoy August to the fullest. Get out there and soak up the summer sunshine!

In conclusion, we’re always here to help point you in the right direction if you notice anything past your skillset to maintain or fix.