7 Home Maintenance Mistakes Homeowners Will Make This Summer

Summer weather is a perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, and that means time to do some important home maintenance. Summertime high temperatures and strong sunlight can put pressure on various parts of the home. From concrete surfaces to exterior paint, avoid these summer home maintenance mistakes by learning the essential do’s and don'ts.  

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1. Pressure Washing at Max Settings 

Pressure washing your home's exterior and concrete surfaces can remove dust that accumulates over time, but doing it incorrectly can cause more harm than good. Putting the pressure washer at the max pressure setting doesn’t mean the surface will be extra clean, but could leave it damaged. High pressure can crack your siding, loosen your roof shingles and remove your concrete sealant if you’re not careful. Use the right pressure setting for each specific surface instead of doing a high-power approach. Hiring a professional pressure washing contractor to clean your home exterior may also be the best option.  

2. Ignoring Concrete Maintenance 

Summer heat can be harsh on your concrete exteriors. These surfaces can reach very high temperatures past 100 degrees Fahrenheit and beyond if you live in a hot, sunny climate. Miguel Vazquez from Vazquez Construction LLC explains that one of the major mistakes that homeowners make is ignoring concrete maintenance during the warm months. He mentions that during the day, the concrete can expand from the heat, while at night, when it gets cooler, the concrete will contract, which creates cracks. To keep your concrete protected, Vazquez recommends you seal it. Concrete should be sealed every three years to keep it in top condition. You should also routinely clean it and remove any dirt, oil or other debris, as they can stain the surface more easily when heat is involved.   

Forgetting to Weatherstrip Windows 

Weatherstripping your windows isn’t just a winter activity. When it’s hot and you have the AC running, you don’t want the cool air in your home to escape and the warm air to enter. That’s why it’s essential to weatherstrip in the summer as much as you does in the winter. Check your weatherstripping material and ensure the foam or v-strip doesn’t need to be replaced. Caulk can dry out and crack in the heat, so recalk as needed. Call a contractor for window repair if you have broken glass, windows that don't close properly or frames with severe wood rot.  

Allowing Insufficient Attic Ventilation 

Even in the winter, your attic can sometimes feel hot. In the summer, your attic temperature can rise to very high, even dangerous, levels. If you haven’t checked that you have sufficient attic ventilation, it can create issues that extend beyond the attic to your roof. Air rises in your home and the heat it creates in the attic can also reach the roof shingles, lowering their lifespan. Warm air in the attic isn’t always an issue if you have enough roof vents that let warm air escape and cool air enter the space. Sometimes your insulation may also cover the vents if it's not properly installed. If the attic feels too humid or there is a lot of condensation, call a professional roofer to check whether your lack of attic ventilation is creating problems.   

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Ignoring Exterior Painting & Deck Staining 

Just like your concrete surfaces, the sun rays can be tough on your exterior home paint and deck stain. Warm weather can cause peeling paint and stains, and if you live in an area with lots of summer rain, the heat combined with the rain can also cause warping. Summer is a great time to get your deck stained and your home exterior painted. These new protective coats can repel moisture and help bounce UV rays off the surface.  

Not Following a Pool Maintenance Schedule 

For homeowners who use the pool year-round, you should add extra time for your pool maintenance in the summer instead of maintaining the same schedule as other times of the year. Since you’ll likely use the pool more often in the summer, it would be a mistake to maintain a similar schedule as you would in the spring or winter. With increased usage, your pool maintenance needs to be at its best to prevent problems from arising. This means cleaning the filter more often, balancing the pH levels to protect you and your equipment, and emptying the skimmer basket more frequently.  

Skipping HVAC Maintenance 

Your HVAC will probably be working overtime in the summer, so it’s not the time to skip a professional inspection and proper maintenance. Everything from having a dirty air filter to dirty condenser coils can affect its efficiency. If you have a refrigerant leak, you’ll only start to notice when warm air is the only air you feel in the warmest of months. Apart from being uncomfortable in your own home, they can also lower the lifespan of your system. Make sure to get an inspection and maintenance done by a trusted HVAC technician.