Summer is coming with its warm breezes, maintenance concerns and seasonal chores for homeowners. In addition to the inevitable mowing, tree trimmingand other yard work, summer is also a great time to step up maintenance efforts around the home. Despite the hassle and time scheduled repairs can take, quarterly home maintenance and preventative measures can keep all areas of the home in good condition for years to come. To help homeowners accomplish this goal, we recommend the following summer maintenance tips:

• Clean and seal decks. Apply deck cleaner and scrub the deck. Let it dry 24 hours and apply deck sealer.
• Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean chimneys. Taking care of this task in the summer-rather than in the peak autumn season-allows plenty of time for repairs before the next heating season.
• Wash the exterior of your house using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent. Pressure washers are not always the best idea-they are powerful enough to force water under the siding, where it can encourage mildew and rot.
• Caulk exterior joints around all windows and doors. Caulking helps keep the house weather-tight and reduces energy bills. It can also help keep insects and vermin out of the house.
• Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap. Because lint is incredibly flammable, this common build up can create a fire hazard.
• Check the operation and condition of attic fans and roof-mounted turbine vents. Attic fans run on little energy and can greatly reduce cooling costs.
• Repair cracks in concrete patios and driveways. For most cracks less than ¼,” applying concrete caulk is a good way to make repairs. For larger cracks, substitute concrete patch for caulk. Whether the cracks are large or small, repair is necessary because water that finds its way into cracks will soften the ground underneath and cause more cracking. Prevention is key to avoiding costly future repairs.
• Clean and repair rain gutters. For clogged downspouts, try using barbecue tongs to reach in and remove leaves. To repair loose gutter nails, consider replacing them with extra-long lag screws.
• Remove/drain sources of standing water in the yard that could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including birdbaths and kiddie pools.
• Ants and flies are attracted to typical barbecue fare. Serve food and beverages indoors and reserve outdoor space for eating and entertaining.

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If you have any other ideas or recommendations, we welcome your comments or suggestions!

As always, we here at Prudential Snyder & Company Realtors are here to assist you with any of your Ann Arbor Area home buying, home selling, rental or other real estate needs. 

Call us at 734-747-7500 or 734-747-7700 weekdays, or 734-660-0105 evenings and weekends.  We’re also available via email at info@prusnyder.com or online at www.prusnyder.com anytime.

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