As the scorching Florida summer rolls around, ensuring your Jacksonville home is ready to handle the heat is essential. Proper maintenance can keep your home in tip-top condition and contribute to a cool and comfortable indoor environment. Here is a comprehensive list of summer home maintenance tips for inside and outside your Jacksonville, FL, home.
Inside Your Home
Check the Air Conditioning System
Start your summer maintenance by inspecting your air conditioning system. Ensure that the filters are clean or replace them if necessary. Contact a professional if you notice any unusual noises or issues with cooling efficiency.
Seal Doors and Windows
Prevent warm air from seeping in by checking for gaps around doors and windows. Proper sealing can improve energy efficiency and keep your home cooler. Some gaps aren't as easy to detect with the naked eye. If you would like a more in-depth scan of your windows and doors, you can schedule an infrared scan with a certified home inspector to identify any potential areas of concern.
Inspect Insulation
Check the insulation in your attic and walls. Proper insulation can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce energy costs. While it may not be possible to make changes to insulation in your walls, understanding what rooms might be lacking can help you make adjustments to how you heat and cool certain rooms in your home.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With the increased use of air conditioning and ventilation systems, it is essential to ensure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working condition. These systems can create airtight environments in which harmful gases can accumulate without proper detection. Regular maintenance and testing of detectors can help ensure the safety of occupants in such environments.
Clean Ceiling Fans
Dust accumulated on ceiling fans can circulate throughout your home. Clean the blades to ensure they operate efficiently and provide a cooling breeze. Fun fact: Ceiling fans still collect dust while in motion due to the blade's built-up charge from static electricity in the air.
Outside Your Home
Inspect Roof and Gutters
Summer storms are common in Florida. It's important to inspect your roof for damage and clean out gutters to prevent water buildup and potential leaks.
Maintain Exterior PaintÂ
Summer sun exposure can cause exterior paint to fade or chip. To protect your home's exterior, consider repainting or conducting touch-ups in affected areas. Chipped paint can expose wood, making it more susceptible to damage from inclement weather.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Overgrown trees and shrubs can damage your home's exterior by rubbing against the walls or roof, causing scratches and potentially damaging the paint or siding. They can also interfere with air circulation by blocking vents and creating pockets of stagnant air, which can lead to moisture issues and potentially mold growth. Regular maintenance and trimming of trees and shrubs can help prevent these problems and keep your home in good condition. Trim them back to maintain a neat appearance and improve ventilation.
Service Your Irrigation System
Ensure your irrigation system is functioning correctly to keep your lawn and garden looking lush throughout the summer. Faulty irrigation systems can result in dead grass and plants, posing a potential fire hazard and incurring high costs for replacement.
Pest Control
Summer is a peak season for pests in Florida. You can schedule a Wood-Destroying Organism (WDO) inspection today to check your home for unwanted pests. Early detection is key to preventing major repairs down the road.
Hurricane Season Tips
Make a Detailed Inventory
Compile a detailed list of all your personal belongings including furniture, electronics, jewelry, and any other valuable items to assist with the process of filing insurance claims in case of loss or damage. This list should be maintained annually before every hurricane season to include any updated or new items in your home.
Review Your Insurance
Review your homeowner's insurance policy to confirm that it includes coverage for damage from flooding and strong winds. Keep in mind that many Florida insurance agencies suspend the ability to make changes (or purchase new policies) a few days before, during, and after a storm hits land. Don't wait to make sure that your home has adequate coverage, or you might be out of luck.
Plan for your pets
Keep your pets' vaccinations current and ensure they wear collars with identification. Prepare an emergency kit for your pets with food, water, medications, proof of ownership, and vaccination records.
Seasonal Maintenance Guide Conclusion
By following this seasonal maintenance guide for your Jacksonville home, you can ensure that your oasis remains in top condition throughout the hot summer months. Regular upkeep not only enhances the longevity of your home but also contributes to a comfortable and energy-efficient living space. Stay proactive and address any maintenance issues promptly to enjoy a worry-free summer indoors and outdoors.
Remember, a Certified Home Inspection can provide thorough insights into your home's condition and help identify any potential maintenance needs for a stress-free summer!