Summer has arrived in full force, which means the outdoors are almost unbearable. Manual labor is probably not on your to-do list, but there are many home maintenance chores to tackle in order to save major repair costs down the road. Use this heat as an opportunity to spend some time indoors improving your home.
Seal Your Home.
Over time, houses shift and move. This allows hot air to leak in through small cracks and waste large amounts of energy. Windows, door frames, electrical outlets, and switch plates are common places that air is lost. To get started, purchase some high quality, clear caulking material. Run the caulking material along your window and door seams. To ensure you apply the material in a straight line use a caulking tool. Once you seal these cracks, hot air will stop creeping into your home and your wallet will thank you.
Clean Up Your Pool.
With the scorching summer sun, you want to enjoy your crystal clear pool. Nothing ruins a summer day like a pool full of algae. Keep your pool in tip-top shape by testing the pH level weekly with a pool water test kit to ensure chemicals are balanced and safe. For the cleanest and safest water, the pH level should remain between 7.2 and 7.8. If you need to destroy contaminants, you’ll have to shock the water. The best time to do this is at night so that the sun doesn’t burn the chemicals. Be sure to dissolve the chemical shock in a bucket of water before pouring it into your pool. Do not directly pour the shock into your pool.
Drain Your Water Heater.
It’s easy to forget to drain your water heater. Flushing your water heater is necessary to improve the unit’s efficiency and life span. Plus, this will keep your showers as hot as you want them. Drain your water heater once a year to release build-up that is harming its performance. To drain, turn off the electricity or gas, close the cold water supply valve, and attach a hose to the drain valve. Snake the hose outside and open the drain valve followed by the pressure relief valve. Once all the tank is completely drained, open the cold water valve again until the water runs clear. Close both valves and allow the tank to refill before you remove the hose. You may now turn your water heater back on. If this is too complicated, call a professional.
Check Your Washer and Dryer.
Seems like there’s always more laundry to do in the summer, but can your washer and dryer handle the large loads? Take care of your appliances to ensure they last longer. Add a bit of diluted bleach or white vinegar into your washer to give it a nice cleaning and prevent mold from growing. Avoid using an overload of detergent. Detergent can create a build up in your washing machine and result in clothes that aren’t completely washed. Over time the detergent can cause machine components to fail altogether. Remove and wash the lint screen in your dryer, especially if you use dryer sheets. If the automatic cycle isn’t getting your clothes completely dry, check for lint in the dryer vent tube.
Take care of your home and your belongings! If you need assistance tackling all your home maintenance chores, call One Man & A Toolbox at 205-823-2111 or fill out the form below.