As warmer weather creeps in, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of spring and forget that another summer is just around the corner. Being proactive before the warm weather arrives means you can make the most of it when it’s finally here.
Prepare the Patio
Your backyard patio is a great place to relax, soak up the sun and wine and dine with family and friends. After the cold of the winter takes its toll, your patio probably looks a little worn down. It only takes a few simple steps to get your backyard getaway ready for another summer of fun!
- Loose debris can be removed from your patio with a firm-bristled broom.
- Stubborn stains and grime trapped between stones and boards can be blasted away with a pressure washer. If your patio is made of stone or cement, look for cracks and crumbling areas – they can be repaired with stone-patching compounds.
- If you have wooden deck, you can get a jump-start on seasonal showers by applying a fresh layer of stain and sealant to protect the wood against rain. Splintered or rotted pieces of wood can be sanded or replaced as needed, and loose nails can be hammered down.
- Modern patio furniture is designed with weather-resistance in mind, which makes it easy to clean. A few rags and a bucket of warm, soapy water are all you need. Remove excess water and soap residue after cleaning. If you hose down your furniture as well, most outdoor upholstery will dry quickly in the sun.
Get Your Pool Ready
There’s nothing better than a dip in the pool after a long, hot summer day. Make sure things go swimmingly by preparing well in advance of summer.
- Start by removing your pool’s cover and pumping out standing water. Let the cover dry in the sun, then fold it up to store it until the swimming season is over. Add water to the pool as needed.
- Remove any freeze plugs or other winter-proofing devices and, if you didn’t do so last season, thoroughly clean your pool’s water filter. Prime the pump, release excess air pressure and purge air from the system.
- Inspect your pool, checking for leaks and removing floating debris, algae, dirt and sand. Allow the fresh water to mix before checking pH and add water treatment chemicals as needed.
- Keep your pool safe by inspecting or replacing ladders, handrails and the diving board.
Keep Pests Under Control
Throughout the summer, there are pests, scurrying hither and thither, crawling, climbing and scratching their way through what was supposed to be your backyard paradise. These small creatures can be a big problem, but a few preventive measures will have them taking flight and turning tail!
- Pests can be controlled with bug-repelling flowers and plants, such as lavender, chrysanthemum, lemon grass, rosemary and mint. These fragrant plants smell great to people, but insects loathe them.
- Pests are opportunistic eaters, meaning they’ll consume any food within sight. Keep scavenging creatures away from your patio and out of your home by clearing away food leftovers and sweeping up crumbs.
- An unkempt yard is a haven for pests both large and small. Rodents can nest and hide in tall grass, while standing water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.
- Keep garbage cans, especially those containing kitchen waste, tightly sealed against larger animals such as raccoons.
- Ensure that screens are free of holes, and remind guests to close doors when entering and exiting your home.
Inspect Your Appliances
Summer can be a whirlwind of activity – make sure you’re ready for it by maintaining your home’s appliances. A few preemptive measures will keep everything running smoothly.
- Virtually every appliance benefits from a regular cleaning. Wiping away grime from fridge and microwave door seals, vacuuming dust off of condenser coils, shaking crumbs out of toasters, removing stuck-on food from stove elements, cleaning coffee maker carafes and running self-clean cycles on dishwashers, ovens and washing machines will improve appliance lifespan and performance.
- Inspect your appliances – loose gaskets in microwave, dishwasher and washing machine doors, dull blades in garbage disposals and leaky gas lines should all be repaired or replaced.
- Air conditioners run only part of the year, but are used intensively during that time. Keep your AC running smoothly by following this checklist:
- Clean the condenser coils.
- Check the refrigerant charge.
- Inspect all controls.
- Replace loose wires and worn-down contacts.
- Inspect the crankcase heater.
- Test capacitors.
- Lubricate the bearings and motor.
- Inspect and adjust belts and pulleys.
- Clean out debris.
- Replace dirty air filters.
- Check and calibrate the thermostat.
- Clean and inspect the motor.
Follow these tips to get your yard in tip-top shape for the summer season!