Even if you’re living in an area with mild winters, few things are more welcome than the sun and warmth of summer. But when it comes to summer in the Northwest Valley, the extreme heat can make for an uncomfortable season if your house isn’t prepared. Check out these six summer home maintenance tips for seniors to help you ensure you enjoy the season to its fullest.
Check Your Weather Stripping
Weather stripping around windows and doors isn’t just to keep out the winter cold—it’s also necessary for keeping summer heat out and cool air in. Replace stripping that has pulled away from the windows and doors, or has cracked. This small change can also bring big savings on your utility bills year-round.
Inspect Insulation
Did you find it hard to keep your house warm this winter? It could be that your attic insulation isn’t as good as it should be. Like weather stripping, insulation also helps to keep your home cooler in the summer. Going up in the attic or crawl space to inspect the insulation is much easier to do in the spring than in the heat of the summer, so maybe you should add this to your to-do list—or seek out a local professional to handle the inspection for you.
Clean Fans and Air Conditioning Units
Fans and AC units are a must during a sweltering summer. But if they haven’t been used in several months, dust and dirt may have accumulated. Here’s how to resolve the issue:
- Ceiling fans: Most ceiling fans have two directions: clockwise for during the winter, to help distribute the heat, and counterclockwise in the summer, to move a breeze. To keep cool air circulating, ensure the blades are turning in a counterclockwise direction when you look up. Also, dust your blades every few months to keep the fan from dispersing dust and allergens.
- Floor or table fans: Floor and table fans have covers that usually snap off and on. Remove these and wipe down the blades. You can take this time to make sure the center bolt is well fastened, so the blade doesn’t wobble as it spins.
- Portable and window air conditioners: These units usually have filters that need to be cleaned or replaced multiple times per year. If you have a permanently installed air conditioning unit, scheduling an appointment to have it checked prior to turning it on for the season can help eliminate issues.
Clean Window Screens
It used to be a regular chore twice a year: remove the screens in the fall and install the winter or storm windows, and put the screens back in the spring. Now with the newer windows, many people leave their screens in all year—but they still need to be cleaned. You can either take them out and rinse them off, or vacuum them to remove dust, dirt, pollen and anything else that might make its way into your home.
Have Your Roof Checked
The condition of your roof won’t really affect how comfortable your house is temperature-wise, but it will affect your quality of life if it starts to leak in a summer monsoon! If you have an older roof, consider having it inspected to make sure that all is well and you won’t have any unexpected surprises during a storm.
Hire Help
One advantage to being retired is you have the time to address all the household maintenance chores you’ve been putting off, but that doesn’t mean you should tackle everything alone. Hiring help can free up your time and reduce the chances of expensive mistakes. Here are some tips for finding quality-focused professionals:
- Look around your neighborhood for company names. Many put up signs when they are working on a home.
- Ask for references. Ask friends and neighbors who they’ve used and if they would recommend them.
- Check the Better Business Bureau. Check to see if there have been complaints against the company that you are thinking of hiring.
- Ask a professional adviser to provide you with a list of prescreened contractors.
- Sign a contract. Don’t do anything with a verbal agreement. A contract should have the company’s name and valid contact information, and an outline of all the work expected, completion dates and final costs.
- Don’t hand over any money until you have a signed contract—especially if you’re required to give a down payment. Get a receipt for proof of payment, and do not give final payment until the work is complete.
Luckily, getting your home ready for summer isn’t as labor-intensive as preparing for winter’s onslaught in the northern United States, but a bit of work can help make the upcoming hot months more pleasurable.
You love your home, so why leave it? Retirement doesn’t have to mean moving. Discover how today’s seniors are changing retirement trends in our free guide, Aging in Place: A Popular Trend for a New Generation of Seniors.
