Prepare your Home for Summer

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. Louisville's climate is considered humid subtropical meaning we have four distinct seasons; with summer being from late May through late September. The following five steps will help prepare your home for the warm weather.

The first thing you want to address is your air conditioning unit. Start by replacing the air filter. Once the filter has been replaced, clean any debris from the registers and exhausts. Once the registers are clean, use a garden hose to clean any dirt form the main unit outside. From there, run your unit while you are away, to test the air conditioner.

The next step is to test for ventilation leaks. Even if your air conditioner works properly, if you have leaks, you can lose some of the cooling. If leaks are found, you can seal them with caulk or weather stripping. Other options to keep your windows cool are reflective file, curtains made of sunscreen-fabric or roller shades. Another easy, but messy job, is checking and replacing insulation. Insulation can compact over the years losing its utility.

If you have a bug issue, set up a barrier. If you have checked for leaks, you have already made sure everything is sealed. Next, spray baseboards, sinks, windows, and doors with a pesticide.

Next, make sure ceiling fans are set to run counter-clockwise. In summer, the breeze blowing down cools the body, by forcing the room air down creating a wind chill effect.

Lastly, check for ways to prevent water damage. Spray water in the gutter to make sure the water comes out the downspouts as opposed to somewhere along the gutter. Inspect your roof to make sure there are no leaks. You will want to look for: cracked caulk or rust spots; buckling, missing, or broken shingles; worn boots around the vent pipes; a missing chimney cap; or moss which could be a signal the roof is decaying.

Heat can take its toll on your home and property. These are five easy steps you can take to make sure your home is prepared, for the summer, while also providing money-saving opportunities.