Issue link: https://nest.uberflip.com/i/1114177
Get your air conditioning system ready for summer; consider having it serviced. This one really depends on your individual home, and even which part of the country you live in. Some places mostly just use window air units, while other places use a big swamp cooler up on the roof — these are fairly basic machines where a quick internet search can help you fix any issues that come up. Also refer to the user guides for specific regular maintenance. Central air is obviously a more complex system. Getting it serviced by a professional should be around $100 or less, and it will save money and headaches down the road. Repair/replace damaged window screens. You don't want bugs making their way in because you missed a hole in a window screen. And no, duct tape doesn't count. It can be a quick fix, but don't leave it for long. It just looks bad. Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house. This could double as a gardening tip, but if you didn't trim trees or shrubs in the fall, do so now. Plants can weasel their way into cracks and holes on the exterior of your home, causing damage and shortened longevity. Nip that in the bud before it's an issue. If you have decorative vines on the exterior, pay close attention. Check trees for interference with electric lines. Have professionally trimmed if necessary. Inspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc. Repair as needed; you may need a professional. S u m m e r S ummer is a great time to focus on the exterior of your home, as well as your lawn and garden. It's also perfect for having that garage door open and utilizing the prolonged daylight to work on any manly projects you've had on the backburner. Check grout in bathrooms, kitchen, etc.; repair as needed. This will prolong the life of your tiled surfaces and just looks better. Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on faucets. Go around to all your faucets and toilets and check for any small leaks. If you have poor water pressure out of a faucet, the aerator is the likely culprit and it's an extremely easy fix. Take care of any insect problems you may have. Summer is their playground. You probably won't have to look too hard to notice any insect problems. Ants, spiders, moths, etc. are all common, and fairly easy to take care of. Keep cobwebs clear, have ant poison handy, make sure all doors are tightly closed, etc. Clean and repair deck/patio as needed. It generally just needs a good washing. A deck may also need re-staining. Also check for any loose boards or posts and repair as needed. Clean out window wells of debris. If you have a basement, you also have window wells. All kinds of things can get down in there from leaves, to trash, to animals.