July Home Maintenance Tips for your East Texas Home

July Home Maintenance Tips for your East Texas Home

July Home Maintenance Tips for your East Texas Home

So…is it hot enough yet? Well, it’s not really a Texan summer until you sweat just walking to the car. I know it’s hot and all you want to do is eat ice by the bucketful, but stay the course and be the house hero of summer with these home maintenance tips:

1. A SAFE BACKYARD—It’s backyard season! Yeeesss! Be sure your family and friends can enjoy your great outdoors without a trip to the ER. Inspect all patio furniture, decks and play equipment or possible dangers. Tighten bolts and screws and repair any other possible safety hazards before they end a day with tears. While you’ve got the tools out, inspect your fence for loose pickets, rotten posts or any other damage and make any repairs needed. Be on the lookout for wood destroying insects. If termites are present, get it treated immediately—they munch fast!
2. BE COOL—Your air conditioner is doing its heavy lifting right now, so make sure it at its best. Change your filter monthly to help it perform! It only takes 5 minutes!
3. DRIPPIN’ SPRINGS—Check underneath all your sinks and any other “wet areas” to make sure there are no active leaks. Another place to check on your leak search is the washer hose connection, especially if the view of the connection is blocked where you may not see a leak immediately. If you do have a leak, get it repaired fast—water is not your BFF, unless you are floating the day away in a pool.
4. HAIRCUTS—Extra rain adds weight to tree limbs. Cut dead limbs and remove dead trees so that the extra weight doesn’t send them catapulting onto your house. Aggh! If you can DIY it, great! If the limbs are over your house or even remotely close to the house, I would seriously recommend a professional. Paying for a “haircut” is still cheaper than a limb coming through your roof!
5. PICKET FIXIN’—Inspect your fence for loose pickets, rotten posts or any other damage and make any repairs needed. Be sure that any damage is not from wood destroying insects. If termites are present, get it treated immediately—they won’t stop eating until treated.
6. DO A SUMMER THING—This is probably the most important item on the list—mainly because its fun! All work and no play makes you a grumpy summer camper. Plan something fun at your house—it doesn’t have to be anything lavish! Grill some hotdogs and call your friends! Make the most of your summer before it is gone! I’ll be waiting for my invite! J

Unfortunately, houses don’t take summers off, so unfortunately home maintenance can’t take a holiday either. However, don’t forget to enjoy the long days of summer—after all, what fun is an expertly maintained home if it isn’t enjoyed with that perfect summer backyard BBQ?
Lisa E. Priest loves a backyard get together and is a Palestine, Texas Real Estate Broker with Picket Fence Realty, Inc. You can reach her via phone or text at 903-948-3343 or read more at BuyPalestine.com.