Summer is upon us! To celebrate, it’s time to make sure you have your home ready for the summer season. There’s a lot to do to prepare our houses for this time of year so we can enjoy it to the fullest. Both our homes and our yards often need some special attention during these months. Here are some factors to keep in mind as we enter the summer season!
Care for your grass
Beyond the basics of mowing your lawn, how else can you keep your grass healthy? Fertilizing your lawn is another important part of maintaining a healthy yard. You can fertilize in mid-summer, spreading a thin, even layer across your lawn every few weeks. It’s also essential to keep your lawn watered. Rainfall in Ontario can be hit or miss, so don’t rely on that to keep your lawn hydrated. You may have to invest in a sprinkler to soak your yard once in a while to maintain that lush green yard we’re all after!
Get your deck in check
Have a patio or a deck? We bet you’re looking forward to spending hours in the sun! Before you do so, however, you should ensure both are in good working order. For your deck, especially wooden decks, it’s important to seal it once a year to keep it from absorbing water and causing expansion and rot. Deck sealers will help water bead up on the surface of your deck, instead of sinking into it. If you have a concrete patio, feel free to give it a good power wash before settling in for the summer. This will add a clean, sparkling touch to your home’s exterior.
Get your air conditioning in order
Now is not the time to learn your air conditioning is out of order. A functioning AC unit is a big part of getting your home ready for the summer. You’ve most likely already turned it on by now, but if not, be sure to do so before you find yourself in the heat of July. You can have your central air conditioning examined by a professional to ensure everything is in working order so you won’t find your unit failing on the warmest days. There are some things you can do yourself, though. The first thing is to replace the filter in your unit to keep it running smoothly and to avoid dust and mold pumping into your house. You can also install a smart thermostat to help you automate and control the temperature in your home at all times. In the end, if it’s time to upgrade your cooling system, you can consider getting a new, eco-friendly and efficient unit that operates with less effort and fewer maintenance costs.
Prepare for summer weather systems
Heat isn’t the only weather we need to watch during the summers in Ontario. We can get some pretty vicious rain and wind storms once in a while as well. While these don’t often risk our lives, they can cause damage to our homes. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare. You should make sure your gutters are cleared out to avoid any rain pooling and possibly causing leaks or sagging in the roof. Any holes in roofing should be sealed right away. Sometimes, tree branches snap and roads flood too. In case of a power outage, you should have a generator handy. It’s not a bad idea to have a small emergency kit on hand as well, with your basics such as a flashlight, water, and non-perishable snacks. We don’t expect many life-threatening weather events this season, but it’s best to be prepared for your own peace of mind!
Reminder: It’s pest season
Every season has pests of some sort, and summer is prime time for bugs and insects. Mosquitos, ants, and ticks all put in an appearance this time of year, and can easily show up in your yard and inside your home. To keep these pests at bay, follow some basic rules. Avoid leaving standing water around for mosquitoes to breed in, like gardening pots, and if you have a pool, be sure to maintain it! You can light citronella candles outside as well to keep them at bay in the evenings. Ants like to make themselves at home in your house, often popping out from under the fridge or stove. You can use an ant spray along entry points to your home, and ant traps in areas where you see them appear. Finally, ticks are the most worrisome, and their populations are growing in Ontario. Ticks like areas with tall grass, lots of shrubbery, and/or rotted wood. Mow your lawn regularly and keep your fire pit away from your house to avoid their presence.
Summer is one of the best times of year. It gives us ample opportunity to get outside and enjoy some much-needed sunshine after Ontario’s traditional grey winters and rainy springs. By following these tips, you will get your home ready for the summer, and enjoy the results!
If you have questions about your mortgage, get in touch with me!