Have You Missed To Prepare Your Home For The Summer Ontime Like You Should? Then Follow These Steps Now!

Summer is already here! Depending on where you live, it feels different due to the global weather change. However, here in New Jersey, it’s indicating some very hot days ahead! And with all of the benefits that long days and sunny weather provide, there are several things that every homeowner should be aware of. If you haven’t prepared your home for the summer yet, you should take the time to do it now, before delving into pool parties, summertime BBQs, and resting with a good book in your garden.

Here are seven tips to help you prepare your house for a cozy summer, and will save you on your energy bill and prevent system breakdown and expensive repairs.

1. Check the area for mold and mildew: 

Mold is a difficult issue to deal with, especially for renters insurance. If pipes rupture and mold forms within walls, the damage is usually covered. But mold and mildew damage caused by maintenance difficulties or floods is unlikely to be covered by insurance. Mold has certain unpleasant side effects that might last for a long time. Mold exposure can cause stuffy noses, wheezing, red, itchy eyes, fever, and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mold may develop at any time of year, but the hot, humid conditions that generally comes with summer can accelerate its growth, so keep a watch out.

Whether you rent or own a place, there are things you can do to restrict, decrease, and prevent mold growth:

• Vacuum and dust your home frequently to eliminate mold’s main feeding supply.
• Dehumidifiers should be used, especially in basements.
• Examine the ventilation in your air conditioning system.
• Make sure your washing dryer vents outside your home and uses exhaust fans.
• Repair roof, window, and pipe leaks as soon as possible.
• Bathrooms, basements, and other rooms with a lot of moisture could benefit from carpet removal.
• If you see or smell mold, contact a specialist to inspect it.
• The greater your ability to manage the moisture level in your house, the more likely you are to avoid mold problems.

2. Clean out your garage:

For many homeowners, the garage is mostly used for storage. But when was the last time you took a good look at everything inside? Summer is an excellent season for a thorough cleaning. This minimizes possible fire concerns while also reminding you of the five uninflated pool floats you had buried there previously.

You probably have a lot of goods in your garage that you don’t use anymore. Assemble a pile of such objects, which should include tools, clothing, toys, and storage containers. Either toss them in the garbage can or donate them.

Once there’s more room to use, sweep the floor and use a mild cleaner to remove dirt. Hose down the floors and use a mop or squeegee to get rid of the excess water. Clean your garage windows and pull off any leaves or dirt that may have gotten caught in the garage door.   You may also check if you have the right equipment for any home remodeling tasks or if you need to stock up on more supplies by cleaning out your garage.

3. Keep the air quality high:

Replace your air filters and furnace filters every three months as a general guideline. Dirt, dander, dust, and allergies are collected by filters. Their efficiency diminishes after three months, but the amount of particles in the air does not.

If you have dogs or live with family members who are allergic to certain things, it may be necessary to replace your air filters more regularly. You’re eliminating some of the additional buildups that can lead to more serious implications down the line, such as mold or asbestos, in addition to improving your air quality.

When possible, use ceiling fans as well. Fans not only circulate air around a room, but they also allow your air conditioner to rest. You’ll save money on electricity while keeping a comfortable temperature in your house.

4. Be prepared for the unexpected:

When heavy weather strikes, it seldom comes as a surprise. Even though a storm is forming thousands of miles away, we don’t usually expect it to hit us as hard as it could. Storms are more likely in the summer because of the warmer temperature. When severe weather occurs in the region, FEMA has a smartphone app that delivers SMS.

It’s also a good idea to put together a home emergency pack in case you lose power, water, or experience any other temporary disruptions to your house as a result of bad weather.

Here are a few things you should have in your kit:

• Non-perishable food and bottled water
• Kit for first aid
• Batteries 

• Flashlights and lanterns
• Whistle.
• Dust masks
• Wet Wipes
• Sheltering in situ using plastic or metal sheets and duct tape

These essentials should be included in every home kit, but you may get more suggestions here.

Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a serious disaster at home. However, if one does strike, it’s important to be ready.

5. Determine what you can do yourself or not: 

Summer is a popular period for home improvement work. One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is whether you can complete a project on your own or whether you need to hire a professional.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects provide a number of advantages. They are often less expensive; for example, the average cost of a DIY kitchen makeover is $16,000, but a professional kitchen redesign would cost at least $25,000 – a difference of roughly 56%. You can also do DIY projects on your own time, and you’ll probably pick up a new skill or two in the process.

Of course, there is more potential for mistake with a DIY job. Installing a new toilet or shower, for example, might be difficult unless you happen to be a plumber. You may put yourself in danger, and you may wind up spending more money correcting new problems caused by a DIY remodel than if you had just hired a professional in the first place.

Hiring a professional has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. When you hire a professional, you can expect high-quality outcomes, especially if the firm is insured. If you need a permit, it’s usually quicker to get one from a professional firm or contractor than it is to get one on your own. Professional projects, on the other hand, are frequently more expensive and need you to change your schedule and lifestyle to accommodate the construction schedule.

A blend of DIY and professional is frequently the best option. Smaller jobs around the house, such as replacing a toilet or refrigerator filter or painting a new nursery, may be possible to do yourself. Larger repairs, such as repairing a garage door or replacing an HVAC unit, may require expert assistance.

Don’t know where to begin? We’ve got you covered: utilize our flow chart to figure out if you should DIY or hire an expert for your next job.

6. Double-check that your insurance is up to date:

This one doesn’t exactly need any homework, but it’s still necessary to complete every year. While some insurance providers need a yearlong commitment, others merely charge on a month-to-month basis or enable you to cancel your policy at any time.

Check to see if your insurance is up to date. Have you recently made any changes to your property, such as constructing a new outbuilding or installing solar panels on the roof? Such items must be reported to your insurance carrier in order for them to be included in your coverage.

Consider how your lifestyle fits in while you’re looking at insurance possibilities. Do you have a habit of throwing a lot of parties? Do you live in a location where poor weather is common? Is it possible to combine your house and vehicle insurance?

Every six months, it’s a good idea to look around for other options. You may discover a better bargain elsewhere, or another firm may offer better savings that suit your driving style and house rental or ownership objectives. Don’t be afraid to try something new.