June Home Improvement Checklist & Tips
Summer is here! We just enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day and everyone is loving the sunshine and barbecues. Spending time with family and friends is very important to use and we are here to help you enjoy the summer season by keep your home in working order so you don’t have to worry.
1. Empty Standing Water Regularly
Louisiana and other southern states are notorious for vicious mosquitos that feel like they will pick you up and take you back to the mothership. Help keep the mosquito population down by eliminating standing water sources on your property. Bird baths, buckets, backed up gutters, etc are all breeding grounds for mosquitos and can really put a damper on your summer goals.
2. Organize Laundry Spaces
Laundry seems to pile up more than ever during the summer months. Clean out your washing machine and dryer to prevent machine failures and potential fire hazards. While organizing your cleaning supplies is super popular on social media, we suggest creating dedicated spots for your laundry. Create a hanging space to help dry wet towel, swim suits and more when outdoor water activities come into play. This will help contain the mess and prevent slipping on wet floors. You can also create a space for your laundry baskets to go to organize your clean laundry if you rotate multiple loads of laundry at one time.
3. Check Screen Doors
We did advise you to check your screens last month but anything can happen. Storms, kids, critters, and more. Make sure your screens are connected properly, especially around the corners. Screen repair kits can be found at most hardware stores if there are any holes or you can call your retailer to review the warranty. Most will fix the screens if the frames are not damaged.
4. Check Outdoor Furniture, Toys, and Decks For Safety
While you’re doing your routine safety checks, look at your outdoor furniture on your patio and porch. Make sure they are stable and all connectors are fitted properly. You don’t want any accidental falls or tip-overs that could result in a hospital visit. Toys should be checked for damage and creepy critters that could pose a potential threat. Wood, ropes, fasteners, even some plastics will degrade over time. Look around your deck to make sure there are no issues with railings, deck screws, or broken boards. Any rotting board or unstable railings need to be replaced as soon as possible.
5. Reorganize Your Kitchen
During the summer months, there may be some smaller appliances you do not need. Make sure to unplug all appliances not being used consistently and store them in a safe place until you need them again. Bring out the summer appliances, such as blenders and ice cream makers, so they are easier to access during get-togethers. Make a safe space for grab-and-go snacks for the kids and visitors to keep your space open, clean, and energy-efficient.
6. Update Your Sunroom
If you are interested in a sunroom, now is the perfect time to create the perfect sunroom. Take addition to your home and add beautiful windows to it or you can create a sunroom out of a current space by opening up the outside facing wall with new windows. During June, we want to help you create that beautiful sunroom experience by giving you a FREE AC Unit with the purchase of a sunroom.
7. Clean Air Ducts and Fan Blades
Keep your home cool and running efficiently by having your air ducts cleaned. Take some time to clean off your fan blades. Dusting the areas will help prevent allergens from causing health issues. Try to have air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years depending on where you live, if your family has respiratory problems and how often you use the HVAC system.
8. Add Window Treatments
During the summer, windows let in a lot of sunlight which can warm up your home. Adding certain window treatments to your energy efficient ProVia windows can help cut out some of the excess heat. Window treatments are optional and customizable to your home. Blinds are a great option to add to homes where you want to control how much light is let in. Blackout curtains are great for rooms where you need to cut out all excess light sources, like living rooms and dens with large TVs, or bedrooms for those who tend to sleep during some of the daylight hours.
9. Check Irrigation Systems
If you have an irrigation system to water your landscape, check it occasionally for any leaks. Leaks can cause damage to your property and landscape, as well as, raise your water bill. Check around exposed valves and pipes around the exterior of your home for leaking water. Wet spots, small holes, or depressions could be a sign of leaking water around your water meter and shut-off valve, as well as, underground pipe leaks. Sprinkler heads that are not running may have leaking water, broken seals, and cracks in the surrounding area.
10. Bathroom Refresh
With school out, outdoor play, the Louisiana heat… needless to say, those bathrooms will be used a lot during the summer months. Check your faucets and pipes to make sure water flow is good and there’s no leaking. Swap out your old shower curtain for something light and vibrant. Update your towels but eep your old towels for outdoor play and to dry pets. Keep new towels in a cabinet or roll them up in a woven basket for an aesthetically pleasing addition. And don't forget to stock up on those extra toiletries. Keep those travel-size samples you never use in your guest bathroom for last-minute guests.
Other Safety Checks:
Update First-Aid Kits
Check for Expired Food Items in Pantry
Toss Old Cosmetics and Toiletries