Don’t Forget Your Summer Home Maintenance!

By Kim Henderson

We have plenty of warm weather ahead of us yet. Now is the time to finish up those summer home maintenance items around the home before the cold winds start blowing. Here are a few things you should consider doing around the house now:

Roof check – Have your roof and gutters inspected by a professional to ensure that you don’t have any loose or missing shingles, leaks or other issues that may become a big problem with the rainy fall season or the cold winter weather.
Window check – take a moment to check all your windows for sealant, caulking and any weather stripping. Don’t share the comfortable temperatures of your home with the outdoors.
Exterior check – clean the exterior of your home and check for any issues with the brick or siding. Check the painted areas to see if they need re-painted. Routinely cleaning your home will remove dirt, stains and mildew for better curb appeal.
Clothes dryer vent pipe check – This is an overlooked maintenance item, but it is very important to preventing house fires. Have your vent pipe cleaned of any lint accumulation. Be sure to clean the pipe inside and out. Don’t forget to clean the lint filter with every load of laundry you dry.
Stair and Deck check – be sure to check all the exterior stairs, decks and patios for any deterioration that may need repaired. You should also check for any nail pops and loose boards.
Furnace and A/C check – if you haven’t had your air conditioner checked in some time, you may want to do that even though we are nearing the end of cooling season. You will also want to have your furnace cleaned and checked before the start of heating season.

As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Take some time to check these basic items throughout the home now and prevent having to pay extra for emergency calls for repairs later.

Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have on the cost versus the value of any home improvements you are considering for your home. I would love to help you with your decision. You can contact me by phone at 412-848-3907 or email at kim.henderson@pittsburghmoves.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Learn more about me aat www.YourPittsburghRealEstateAgent.com.

Roof check – Have your roof and gutters inspected by a professional to ensure that you don’t have any loose or missing shingles, leaks or other issues that may become a big problem with the rainy fall season or the cold winter weather.

Window check – take a moment to check all your windows for sealant, caulking and any weather stripping. Don’t share the comfortable temperatures of your home with the outdoors.

Exterior check – clean the exterior of your home and check for any issues with the brick or siding. Check the painted areas to see if they need re-painted. Routinely cleaning your home will remove dirt, stains and mildew for better curb appeal.

Clothes dryer vent pipe check – This is an overlooked maintenance item, but it is very important to preventing house fires. Have your vent pipe cleaned of any lint accumulation. Be sure to clean the pipe inside and out. Don’t forget to clean the lint filter with every load of laundry you dry.

Stair and Deck check – be sure to check all the exterior stairs, decks and patios for any deterioration that may need repaired. You should also check for any nail pops and loose boards.

Furnace and A/C check – if you haven’t had your air conditioner checked in some time, you may want to do that even though we are nearing the end of cooling season. You will also want to have your furnace cleaned and checked before the start of heating season.