With June now upon us and the official start of summer only a matter of weeks away, now is the perfect time to get your home in order to help you enjoy the season ahead. As temperatures start to rise, you may be itching to head off on a staycation. However, it’s important you don’t neglect your home in the process.
Between spending time with loved ones and going off on holiday, taking some time to give your home some TLC will make sure you can enjoy the warmer weather and improve the safety of your property. To help, here are some essential summer maintenance tips that all homeowners can benefit from.
Prepare Your Patio and Decking
While the weather in the UK is notoriously unpredictable, the chances are there will be some sun coming your way over the next few months. Understandably, millions of brits will want to spend as much time outdoors as they possibly can. If this sounds like you, it’s time to get in the garden and prepare your patio and decking for the season ahead.
If you have young kids especially, you need to ensure your patio and decking aren’t too slippery during the summer. Simply scrubbing or jet washing your patio and decking will minimise the risk of injury, not to mention enhance the look of your garden. After you’ve finished cleaning, it’s wise to apply a chemical sealant that acts as extra protection to your decking.
Clear Drains and Gutters
One of the best home maintenance tips you can do for the summer is cleaning your gutters and drains. Surprisingly, this task tends to be last on most homeowner’s to-do lists, but it’s an essential task that will save you any hassle later down the line. Any debris like mud and leaves can quickly clog up your drains and, before you know it, leaks can occur and find their way into your walls and roof. Naturally, this can be costly to repair and potentially damage your property’s structure, so you must clear any build-up from your gutters to lower the threat of water damage.
Revamp Your Windows
There are lots of things you can do to your windows in the summer months to stay cool and enjoy the sunshine. Whether you seal up any draughts, upgrade to energy-efficient windows to help the environment, or purchase blinds to make your space feel airier and more welcoming, revamping your windows should be near the top of your to-do list.
What’s more, blinds are great at reducing heat in a room, meaning you and your loved ones can feel comfortable throughout the soaring temperatures outside. Make My Blinds specialise in blinds, but they also have a guide on window dressing ideas that can get your home ready for the summer. Whether you want to attract attention with prints, install shutters, or try out floor-length blinds, there are numerous window dressing ideas you check out. Make My Blinds have covered hundreds of thousands of windows across the country, earning their place in the blind industry.
Take Care of Plants
If you’re a homeowner who loves all things plants, those that grow up the wall of your house may become a nuisance if you’re not careful. While wisteria and ivy may look fantastic from the outside and boost the aesthetic of your home, they can also cause major problems. Make sure you trim and cut back these plants, as while they may look pretty, you could find damage to your guttering, walls, and even foundations.
In addition to ivy and wisteria plants, you will need to pay close attention to your garden plants. If a heatwave strikes, you mustn’t fertilise or re-pot during this period. Above anything else, ensure your plants are watered well and if you have any sensitive plants, they need to be shaded from the sun. For those who aren’t avid gardeners, it’s wise to contact a professional to maintain your plants and garden space.
Check Your Heating System
During the warmer months, it’s likely you won’t be reaching to turn on the heating. Although it may seem early to do so, switching on your heating before and during the summer can be a good way to check if your boiler and radiators are working correctly. Once we move into autumn and winter, you will find that millions of homeowners are scrambling to get their boiler serviced, so it’s advised to contact a heating engineer around July or August instead.
All homeowners like to save money where they can, so checking your heating system early and getting everything sorted in advance can help you cut costs. With the high demand in the colder months, it may cost more to get an engineer out, which is why it makes total sense to examine your boiler in the summer.
Inspect the Roof
If you haven’t inspected your roof in a long time, it’s wise to take a look now. A roof inspection can flag up all different things, such as collapsed roof cladding and broken shingles. During the summer and beyond, your roof needs to be safe and secure to protect you and your loved ones. When the hot, sunny afternoons strike, the weather isn’t the kindest to your roof. When temperatures soar, stormy weather isn’t too far away, meaning there is a chance of high winds and rain. It’s not recommended to climb onto the roof yourself, so make sure you contact a professional who can come out and examine any problems like cracked tiles.
Boost Kerb Appeal
The exterior of your home can say a lot about what’s on the inside. If you’re planning to entertain guests during the warmer months, boosting your property’s kerb appeal can be beneficial in all sorts of ways. For example, giving your exterior walls a lick of paint can protect your doors and window frames, as well as increase the value of your property.
Warm, dry weather is a fantastic opportunity to get painting as it can make the finish more durable and long-lasting. Keeping your windows clean, adding door accessories, and keeping on top of your front garden are all great ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal.
De-Clutter
Throughout the summer, you will want to make the most of the weather and factor in plenty of time to relax and unwind. If your home is filled to the brim with clutter, the chances of being able to de-stress are slim. Decluttering can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, boost sleep, improve productivity, as well as rid your home of allergens.
If you’re having family and friends over for BBQs and gatherings during the summer, decluttering will make your home feel more friendly and lively, allowing loved ones to relax from the moment they walk through the front door. While it can be hard to get rid of possessions, you will notice a huge improvement in your mental and physical wellbeing once you’ve tackled the problem.
Before you sit back and take in some much-needed vitamin D, now is the perfect opportunity to endure any projects you have been putting off for months. The sooner you complete them, the more time you can have relaxing at home and making the most of the glorious summer days and nights.
