Here is a list of 5 household checks you simply can’t afford to skip in summer.

1. Prevent Water Damage

In many parts of the country, summers can bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Hence, ensuring that your house is protected against water damage is one of the most important things to do. Starting with the foundation and the basement, check for any leaks or cracks. Building grates around the house is also a good way of directing water away from the basement where it can otherwise pool and cause numerous problems. A grate of one inch per foot is usually enough to ensure proper water runoff.

Inspecting your doors and windows or any other place with trims for leaks/cracks in the caulking is also a good idea. Ideally, you should replace the caulk from time to time as this can protect your house from potential leaks which can lead to wood rot and mould. Also, check your roof for any damage and signs of necessary repairs.

2. Inspect your Air Conditioning/HVAC

Before blasting the air conditioning unit for some much-needed cool air, it is important to properly check your HVAC. This includes changing air filters and cleaning debris, leaves and grass from the condensing unit outside as this causes it to malfunction. However, it is important to note that there are many different techniques for cleaning your unit and these depend on the model. If these simple tips don’t work and your unit is not working properly, then it may be time to call a company with expertise in this field.

If you’re in the Philadelphia area, a company worth recommending is Fahrenheit HVAC. This Philadelphia air conditioning repair company have 30 years of experience; they can test the unit and your air ducts for potential repairs or leaks, thereby ensuring that your air conditioning unit is in perfect working order. Their repair plans really do go above and beyond by including free emergency air conditioner service and guaranteed repair quotes.

3. Check for Ventilation Leaks

Your air conditioner is working perfectly and now it is time to ensure that cool air does not slowly leak out of your house due to leaks. For this, check for drafts in your doors and windows. Leaks can be easily sealed with weather and caulk stripping. Other tips for ensuring that your house remains cool is to add reflective films on your windows and roller shades. Another major source of leaks can be the basement – check around ducts and pipes and fill any cracks/leads with expanding foam. Insulating the floor of your attic without blocking the vents is also a good option.

4. Defend against Bugs and Pests

Hot weather seems to bring out unwanted insects and bugs from their hibernation during colder months. Hence, checking that your household is adequately protected against an invasion of annoying pests is extremely important. For this, check that your house is properly sealed including doors and windows. Close any gaps with caulking and weather stripping, and spray your perimeter with a good quality pesticide.

5. Touch up your Paint

Summers are the best time to paint your home. Not only does it make your house look fresh, but can also protect wood against water damage, rot, and mould.You can avoid many problems in the future and ensure that your house is prepared for the summer months up ahead with these 5 tips. Remember, it is easier to prevent issues from rising in the future compared to spending thousands on repairs.