10 Tips for Maintaining Your Home in Colorado This Summer

Home maintenance is important, no matter what time of year it is. But when you live in a place like Colorado, where the summers are hot and the winters are cold, it's especially important to make sure your home is in good shape! In this blog post, we will discuss 10 tips for maintaining your home this summer. Follow the tips on this summer home maintenance checklist and you can rest assured that your home will stay in good condition all season long!

 

1. Make sure your gutters and eaves are clear of debris to prevent water damage.

Colorado winters can bring lots of snow! Unfortunately, this extreme weather can wreck havoc on your gutters. Gutters and eaves are crucial for keeping water away from your home's foundation. If gutters become clogged with leaves or other debris, they can't do their job properly. As a result, water can seep into your home's foundation and cause serious damage. That's why it's important to clean gutters and eaves of accumulated sediment regularly, especially before the start of summer.

You can clean gutters and eaves yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. Whichever option you choose, make sure to do it at least twice a year (spring and fall) to prevent water damage.

 

2. Trim any overgrown branches or shrubs 

Maintaining trees and shrubs are an important item on the home maintenance checklist. Overgrown trees and vegetation can not only be unsightly, but they can also be a fire hazard, especially in Colorado. Pruning trees for fire prevention and to create a defensible space around your home is an important step to creating fire-resistant landscaping. To learn more about landscaping defensible space around your home, visit the Colorado State University Extension page on Fire Resistant Landscaping. So take some time to trim any overgrown vegetation around your home. It's a simple task that can make a big difference in the event of a fire.

Remove any branches or shrubs that are blocking your windows or doors. Pruning trees and maintaining shrubbery around the home can allow more light to come in the windows.

Remove any diseased, damaged or injured branches or plants and consider xeriscaping or replacing with newer and healthier plants. Falling branches can be a hazard for people and property. 

Trimming overgrown vegetation will also help improve the appearance of your home. And if you have any bushes or shrubs that are getting too big, trim the plants back to size. Shaping trees and shrubs can encourage plants to grow more vigorously and produce flowers and fruits more productively. 

Trimming overgrown vegetation is also important for maintaining the appearance of your home. So take some time to trim any overgrown branches or shrubs around your property today!

 

3. Inspect the roof

The roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so it's important to inspect it regularly for any damage. Have a roofing professional look for any missing or damaged tiles or shingles and replace them as soon as possible. They will also check the roof for any signs of leaks or water damage. If you find any, make sure to repair them immediately to extend the life of your roof.

Regular roof maintenance is important for keeping your home in tip top shape. So take the time to inspect your roof today and make any necessary repairs. Your roof will thank you!

 

4. The attic's insulation should be checked to ensure it is still adequate.

During the summer in Colorado, your home's attic can get extremely hot. This is because heat rises, so the attic is one of the hottest parts of the house. If the insulation in your attic is not adequate, it will not be able to keep the heat out. As a result, your home will be hotter and your energy bills will be higher.

To prevent this, it's important to check the insulation in your attic regularly. If it is not adequate, you should add more insulation or replace deteriorating insulation. This will help keep the heat out and save you money on your energy bills.

So if you haven't checked the insulation in your attic recently, now is the time to do it. 

Solar attic fan:

A solar attic fan is a great investment because it will help keep your home cool in the summer. solar attic fan uses the power of the sun to ventilate your attic and remove heat. Solar attic fan is also energy efficient, so it will save you money on your energy bills.

 

5. The exterior of your home should be given a fresh coat of paint, especially if it's showing signs of aging and wear

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the exterior siding of your home. If your home is starting to show signs of aging and wear, a fresh coat of paint can help it look new again. Not only will this improve the appearance of your home, but it will also protect it from further damage.

If you're not sure whether your home needs a new coat of paint, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional. They can inspect your home and give you their opinion on whether or not it needs to be painted.

If you decide to paint the exterior of your home, be sure to use high-quality paint. This will ensure that the job is done right and that your home looks its best. 

 

6. Sweep and mop all floors, inside and out, to get rid of any dirt or dust

Sweeping and mopping your floors is a great way to get rid of dirt and dust. This is especially important in the summer, when there is more dust and pollen in the air. By sweeping and mopping regularly, you can help reduce allergies and keep your home clean.

When sweeping, be sure to use a soft-bristled brush. This will prevent damage to your hardwood floors and make it easier to remove dirt and dust. When mopping, be sure to use a clean mop head (we like the O-Cedar spin emop) and warm water. This will help prevent the spread of dirt and bacteria.

Sweep dust, debris and cobwebs from your garage floors and basement floors as well. Use a power washer to power wash exterior walkways and patios (follow manufacturers instructions if you have a wood patio as power washing at a high setting can cause damage to the wood). 

7. Service your AC / Central Air Conditioning

It's important to tune up your AC unit so it can run efficiently all summer long. This means changing the air filter, cleaning the coils, and making sure that the unit is properly charged and in working order. By doing this, you can help ensure that your AC runs smoothly all summer long.

Your AC unit requires an annual inspection and maintenance. If you're not comfortable servicing your AC yourself, you can always hire an HVAC professional. They will be able to do the job quickly and efficiently. A dirty or damaged AC unit can become very expensive to operate.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your home is cool and comfortable.

8. Weatherproof windows and doors

Weatherproofing your windows and doors is a great way to keep your home cool in the summer and is an easy and affordable way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. This involves adding weather stripping or caulking around gaps and cracks. By doing this, you can help reduce drafts and keep cool air in the summer from escaping your home (we believe that a nice breeze should be experienced outdoors not indoors!).

Consider replacing old windows if necessary. While this may be a big investment, this can help you save money on your energy bills and keep your home cool all summer long and for years to come. 

Lastly, take a close look at your garage door to ensure it's working smoothly and that no gaps in the weather stripping seal are evident. 

 

9. Test smoke detectors & CO alarms

To prevent a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, it's important to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. This will help ensure that they are working properly and that you and your family are safe.

If it has been more than 6 months since you last replaced the batteries, change them now. Follow manufacturer recommendations for device testing, and battery changing instructions and frequency. 

 

10. Check sprinklers and irrigation

It's important to check the sprinklers and irrigation system regularly in Colorado homes. The extreme winters and fluctuating temperatures in the spring can cause pipes to freeze and sprinkler heads to become damaged. This will help ensure that they are working properly and that your lawn is getting the water it needs.

To check your sprinklers, and to make sure there is no damage from frozen pipes last winter, simply turn them on and watch to see if they are spraying evenly. If you see any areas that are not being sprayed, or if the spray is weak, it's time to adjust the sprinklers or replace broken sprinkler heads. If you notice any leaks or water pooling, it's time to repair the irrigation system.

Look over all the outdoor faucets and check the garden hose for leaks.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your lawn is healthy and green all summer long. In early fall, don't forget to winterize your irrigation system to reduce the risk of pipes freezing. 

Summer is a great time to get your home in order for the colder months ahead. By following these 10 tips and creating a summer home maintenance checklist, you can ensure that your biggest investment stays in good condition all season long. Thinking about selling your home or need tips on home maintenance to increase your home's value? Don't hesitate to contact us! Thanks for reading!