Now is the time to ensure your beach house is ready for another summer season. Early preparation will lead to an easy start of summer. There are four areas you should address to prepare your property for the warm summer months:
Floors & Windows
Steam clean your carpets, and clean and seal tile and grout in your kitchen and bathroom. Now is the perfect opportunity to replace any worn or damaged flooring, before the rush of summer activities begin. Consider ceramic tile for your kitchen and bathroom. Tile is low maintenance, long-lasting, easy to clean, and holds up well against both sand and moisture. Natural stone is another great flooring option. It provides similar maintenance benefits and moisture resistance as tile while complementing the beach home aesthetic. Eastman’s Carpet and Flooring also offers waterproof vinyl flooring to give your beach house the look of wood floors with the low maintenance of vinyl.
Maintain your windows by cleaning out the sills and tracks with a soft brush or vacuum attachment. Pour a little water into the sill to ensure that the weep holes – which drain rainwater – are flowing properly. If they’re clogged, use a piece of thin wire to gently open the hole. Clean window screens by scrubbing them carefully on a flat surface with soapy water, and patch small holes as needed.
Air Conditioning & Refrigerator
Don’t risk an air conditioning malfunction during the warm summer months. Beat the summer heat by cleaning the unit, replacing the filters, and having it inspected by a professional before the beginning of the season.
No other appliance works harder than your refrigerator. Cleaning the condenser coils will ensure that it stays consistently cold. Left unattended, the coils can easily become covered with dust – reducing the efficiency of your fridge and leading to higher electric bills. Eliminate the dust by unplugging the fridge and using a refrigerator coil brush to remove any dust, dirt, and pet hair from the coils.
Gutters & Roof
Clear any leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts, and inspect the roof for damage. A handyman can easily repair a few shingles, but more extensive damage will require a roofer. Whether it’s asphalt, clay, or concrete, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against water damage. If your roof is coated with dark streaks and stains, there’s a good chance you have an algae problem. Not only is moss an aesthetic concern, it can cause asphalt shingles to curl, lift, and blow off during high winds. Eliminate moss and algae by using a garden sprayer to coat your roof in a 50/50 solution of water and bleach. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse it off. Avoid scrubbing or pressure washing, because aggressive cleaning can damage shingles. Wet down or cover any vegetation around the outside of the home to protect them from the bleach solution.
Clean & Inspect
- Have a chimney sweep clean out your fireplace and chimney.
- Check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Use a pressure washer to eliminate any accumulated dirt and mold from your home’s siding, deck, driveway, and garage.
- Scrub your patio and lawn furniture using a mild soap, and rinse with a garden hose.
- Check your wood siding and windows for loose or missing caulking, and replace it to guard against water damage.
- Trim back the bushes around the house, and test your sprinkler system to ensure that it will keep your lawn green and flowers blooming throughout the summer.