We say it every year. Summer flies by and it’s time to begin a new school year once again! It seems like just yesterday we were giving you ways to prepare for summer and tips to beat the heat. This time of year is the perfect time to get your home back in order to prepare for not only a new school year, but also a new season! Take a look at our back to school home maintenance checklist below.
Garage Clean Up
Your garage has been doing double duty lately – with bicycles coming in and out and pool toys thrown around from days spent at the pool. Take an afternoon to put away summer toys in totes and bins that are labeled accordingly. If you’re in the attic putting away summer toys, you may consider saving yourself a trip later and bring down fall decor. While you’re in the garage, check the weather stripping on the bottom of the door. If it looks worn away, reapply to prepare for cooler weather to come.
Inspect Your Roof
After the storms we had this summer, it’s more important than ever to check your roof. Inspect for missing or lose shingles and repair where necessary. If it looks like a replacement might be in order, or if you’ve noticed your neighbors getting new roofs, then it could be time to call in to the insurance company. It’s best to proactively deal with repairs at the end of summer/beginning of fall than to discover a problem in the winter!
Prepare The Porch
Your outdoor furniture may have seen its’ fair share of a good time this season, so it’s time to clean it up! Spray down the furniture itself to get rid of any rust, cobwebs, or dust. Take a microfiber cloth to the cushions and clean off any dirt or stains. After cleaning, make any necessary repairs. Cover outdoor furniture and barbecue grills, and store them in a protected area ready to use next year!
Appliances
Now is a good time to clean out your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven.
Refrigerator – Make room for school lunches! Get rid of any expired foods or condiments. Sort the items in your fridge into sections, like you would your pantry. Also, be sure to vacuum your condenser coils to make your refrigerator extra efficient!
Dishwasher – A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is the perfect solution for a good dishwasher cleaning. Mix equal parts and put onto a rag or sponge. Clean the walls and racks of the interior and the buttons and front of the exterior.
Oven – Use the self cleaning feature of your oven.
Fall Clean & Check
It’s important to make sure all the electrical and heating systems and devices in your home are working properly when you get back into the school routine. Our licensed electricians can help with anything you need, including the following heating and electrical services:
- Adjusting any necessary connections
- Replacing filters
- Checking heat exchanger & thermostats
- Lubricating motors
Back To School
Hopefully, these back to school home maintenance tasks will help you prepare your home for back to school! The kids have a couple of weeks before homework, so why not make it a family event? (Wishful thinking?)
If you need help preparing your home for fall and winter, schedule our service today!