In an ideal world, home repairs would be infrequent and remain complete. However, with changing seasons and unpredictable climates, maintaining the home is getting harder to plan. Unexpected accidents can also be costly, particularly in peak seasons.
One way to maximize the efficiency of your maintenance is to time it with the seasons. This means repairs are being done at the times that matter and will have a longer-lasting impact. We take you through an easy to use home repair cycle specially adapted to the change of seasons.
Change of Seasons: Spring
Spring is one of the most unpredictable seasons of all. As you thaw from the ice of winter and move toward the heat of summer, it pays to protect your property from the ever-changing weather of Spring.
On the first clear day, check your home for any damage that has been caused by changing seasons. This could be roof based or come from sills in doors and windows. Check for any crack in pavements of outer walls.
Begin to prune your garden and get it prepared for all the parties and BBQ evenings. Clear away any winter debris and start any planting you may need to do. Inside the house, do a thorough spring clean.
With summer approaching, it will be beneficial to get your air conditioning serviced. Call a professional to give it a clean and replace any parts. If you leave this until summer, they will be hard to get hold of.
Finally, take any vehicles you may use over summer and give them a service, including bicycles or boats. If your car has winter tyres, replace them for summer ones. Make sure the body of your automobile has not been damaged by grit and road salt over winter and consult a professional if they have.
Summer
The dry summer weather makes it a lot easier to plan and implement home maintenance. However, the heat and sun can cause damaging themself, so you should implement a regular check on your property.
Begin by doing any painting of outside surfaces such as walls and fences. Try to do this in the morning, as in the afternoon sun, paint fumes and sticky lacquers are not fun. Repair any damage to woodwork, such as patios, gates, and fences.
Summer is also a great time to check any water systems in your house. Clean drains and gutters, then make sure all faucets, taps, and showerheads are working efficiently. Do a check on your sprinkler and hose system to make sure that lawn will stay well fed.
Finally, when Labor Day comes around and summer begins to fade, think about closing down your pool and doing any maintenance. Check the chemical levels in the water, turning off any pumps and valves. Make sure it is thoroughly cleaned of any debris, then either drain it or attach the pool cover.
Fall
At the beginning of fall, it is a good idea to prepare your property for the hardness of winter. Start by packing away any outdoor summer furniture, such as chairs, tables, and BBQs.
As leaves begin to fall, you will need to conduct regular maintenance of gutters and flues. Clean them thoroughly, removing debris, and clean the wider area around them. You should sweep the garden free of clutter on a weekly, if not daily basis.
Unfortunately, for many in the U.S., summer has come to be a time of flashing flooding and downpours. Now is the best time to check for this in the form of mould or structural damage. If this gets wet and freezes in the winter months, it could cause irreparable structural damage.
Inside the home, check that all heating is operational and effective. Do an inspection of plumbing and furnaces and clear any humidifiers. Now might also be a good time to power down your air conditioning, depending on your location and climate at this time of year.
Finally, prepare any vehicles for the arrival of winter. Boats and bicycles can be stored away, while winter tyres can be affixed to the car toward the end of the season. If you do have a car, take it for a service or at the least give it an oil and filter change with brake check.
Winter
At the start of winter, you should begin making preparation for ice and snow. Collect any sand, salt, snow shovels, or dock deicer that may be useful in the coming season. You should also drain any outdoor features that may be at risk of freezing, such as ponds, hoses and pipes.
To ensure energy efficiency, do an inspection of your house’s insulation. This may mean going into the attic and basement. Replace any insulation that has worn away or been damaged by water.
As you will be spending a lot of time indoors, check all internal safety features are working well. These could include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, or security cameras.
After all this, it will be just about the right time to prepare for the holiday season. You can start to pull out all of the old cheesy decorations and see the year off in style.
Unwelcome Surprises
Hopefully, the guide above will take you through the year without any unwelcome surprises. Remember that should they arise, it always helps to call a professional to assist you as they have experience and often have the necessary tools that you may not have.
Should you need any more assistance in the change of seasons, Estile Tendances is always here to help. We have tips ranging from lifestyle, health, beauty, and more all year round. Let us help you make the best choices today with our daily articles!
