Check Roofs and Exterior walls for leaks and damage -Inspecting the Roof: There are two great ways to examine your roof for leaks and damage. The first and most obvious is to get up on the roof or get to a good vantage point to see and inspect it. If you notice damaged tiles, repair or replace them. The second way is to go to the attic on a sunny day. With the lights off, inspect the roof’s internal paneling for points or rays of light. If the light is getting through, water will too. If you determine that your roof is leaking, take action immediately. Damages from this type of leak can cause major structural damage and can become very expensive to fix. 

If you determine that your roof is leaking, take action immediately. Damages from this type of leak can cause major structural damage and can become very expensive to fix. You can also use an air leak detector to find your leaks. Turn the device on and point it at the areas where you suspect leaks. A small light coming from the device will scan the area you are pointing at. 

Give your deck a once-over - 

Check your insulation - Adding a little more insulation can go a long way towards making your home more energy-efficient, not to mention more livable at the height of the winter and summer months. If you need to check your insulation, the following offers a few ways you can do just that. 

 You can find insulation issues pretty much anywhere throughout your house, from your front door to your attic, to cracks in your garage door (especially if yours is attached). With higher cooling costs in the summer, now’s a great time to take a look around, and seal up any insulation gaps you may encounter. 

Note that: Checking your insulation in the walls can be a bit trickier because you won’t have a way to visually confirm how much insulation exists. Most professionals use borescopes and infrared imaging cameras to check insulation levels without disturbing the wall, but chances are you won’t have that equipment Lane around. Instead, you can remove the protective plate from your wall switch and peer into the gap between the electrical junction box and the surrounding drywall. Sometimes you’ll be able to see if you have any insulation, but you may have to go a step further. You can use a thin wooden or plastic stick to snag a small amount of insulation if it’s there. Avoid using wire coat hangers or other metal objects, since this could pose an electrical hazard. 

Protect your home against unwanted guests- 

Check your detectors - While you should be checking these routinely, taking a look at your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector every few months is crucial to your entire family’s safety. You’ll need to make sure that they’re functioning properly, that they have sufficient batteries, and that they’re fully capable of detecting an issue efficiently and immediately. 

One of the most important smoke detectors benefits is that they are a vital part of any home security system. If you have a home or family, it is important that you have the necessary amount of these detectors installed and ensure that they are always functioning properly. 

Inspecting appliance water supply - Principally, the refrigerator (if it dispenses water), dishwasher, and washing machine will possess water supply and drain hoses. If the hoses are showing signs of wear or have started leaking, take immediate action and get them replaced. The failure of any of these hoses may result in the flooding of your home. 

 These hoses should be checked to make certain that they are:  

Clean out gutters and downspouts -  Your gutters bear a lot of responsibility when it comes to maintaining your property: first, they contribute to the curb appeal and aesthetics of your home. Second, gutters effectively guide water off the roof during storms and away from the porous foundation of your home. Gutters shield these areas from potential pricey water damage, which goes a long way toward preserving the integrity of your roof and home. 

Over the months, debris builds up in your gutters. Make sure they are secured firmly to the roof’s framing and cleaned out. Double-check the filters on the downspouts to ensure they are clean and able to function properly when needed. Take the time to pressure-wash, repair, and/or repaint any damaged areas of the gutter and downspouts. 
 

So, there you have it – our summer home maintenance tips. The above thirty tips will help you clean up and take care of your home this summer. If you’ve got some time over the summer, tend to your home. Preventive home maintenance can even help you save money on home insurance.