Outdoor activities beckon as summer comes calling, but so does the list of June chores for homeowners. Here’s what needs to get done before the fun begins.
Clean grill grates. Throughout the summer, keep those cooking grates clean. Using a mixture of water and vinegar, clean with a plastic dish scrubber. Afterward, use a clean paper towel to wipe down with fresh cooking oil.
Sprinkler maintenance. Your sprinkler system needs monitoring throughout the summer. Watch for any heads that may have been damaged while mowing the lawn. Replace or adjust heads, as needed. Use a moisture detector to bypass the system if there has been a good rain.
Eliminate standing water. Check for puddles and regularly empty landscape statuary and any toys that fill with water. This will help prevent mosquitos.
Inventory first aid kit. Outdoor projects and sports can lead to injuries. Make sure you have a first aid kit well stocked with bandages, antiseptic, cold packs and other necessities.
Prep the mud room. Have your mudroom ready with towels, mats for wiping feet, hooks for hanging shoes and sports gear, and a basket for tossing dirty clothes.
Gutter check. Some trees such as live oaks shed leaves in spring rather than fall. Spring storms may strip leaves and small branches from trees. Clean gutters as needed.
Car emergency kit. Before leaving on a car trip, stock an emergency kit with flashing LED lights (not flares), jumper cables, a set of wrenches and screwdrivers, a quart of oil, a flashlight, a jack, a tire-changing wrench and first aid supplies.
Time for an HVAC inspection. If you haven’t already, it’s time to have your air-conditioning system professionally inspected. HVAC companies are essential workers and most are well-versed in safety precautions and social distancing at this point. A service technician will inspect the air handler, clean the air conditioner condenser coils, inspect the evaporator coil and check the refrigerant level. Many companies offer an annual package deal that includes the spring check along with a similar fall furnace tune-up. Meanwhile, do your part to keep the AC system running smoothly. Change the filters on a regular schedule. Outside, keep bushes cut back from the condenser coils so they can breathe.
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