Preparing Your Home For Summer

Ok so in good old Blighty we may not have to think about this too seriously – after all, when was the last time we had a scorcher of a summer?

But still, it’s always good to be prepared. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but taking care of your home and garden is important regardless of the time of year.

So let us help you to look towards the coming weeks and months, with a few top tips for preparing your home for summer…

The roof

Unquestionably, here in Britain our homes are exposed to the elements all year round, so taking the time to check out the condition of your roof as part of a pre-Summer routine is a wise move.

Be it a pitched or flat roof; inspect it for any signs of damage such as tears, cracks, and missing tiles. On the topic of flat roofs, also be on the lookout for pooling water.

Identifying a problem area early can help to save you from the trauma of a leak in the medium-long term, not to mention help you to save £££’s in the process!

If you’re not particularly confident when it comes to inspecting the roof yourself, consider calling in a local roofing contractor to cast their eye over things and potentially alleviate your concerns as an alternative.

Driveway

Your driveway is a key part of the façade of your home and should be well-maintained and inviting. This is especially important if you’re currently selling, or hoping to sell your property in the near future. A well-kept driveway can add value and significantly increase kerb appeal, so it is worth spending some time rejuvenating things.

Keep it tidy by removing clutter (discarded rubbish, children’s toys, weeds and lifeless plants) and sprucing up the outdoor space with pot plants, a bird table or other features.

For paved driveways, consider giving it a jet clean and replace all of your broken paving slabs. For gravel driveways, re-distribute the gravel if needed or add more as required to ensure an even covering.

Garage

Summer is a time for days out, fun with the family and plenty of general adventure. If you are lucky enough to have your very own garage, now is the time to give things an overhaul.

Keep things organised, do away with needless clutter and free up some valuable space. Making summer specific items easily accessible is another top tip. Be it children’s bicycles, the paddling pool, garden tools, beach items or the trusty old BBQ and garden furniture sets. Re-structure your garage to keep such items to hand, saving you the trouble of digging around in a hurry when the sun suddenly makes an appearance.

Doors and windows

As the temperature rises, your doors and windows will be put to the test and will no doubt require opening all the more often. Check them all out – are they functioning properly? Can you open, close and secure them with ease?

It is also the time to clean and spruce them up, get rid of grime and dirt and improve visibility! Not forgetting checking on the insulation – are the seals intact? Broken seals will let the warm air in, so it’s good to identify and remedy any problem areas to ensure that your home is adequately insulated.

Tell-tale signs include splitting, cracking and general peeling, so cast your beady eye over door and window seals for peace of mind.

Outdoor furniture

With nicer weather ahead, your outdoor furniture will hopefully be put to the test; whether it’s needed for your enjoyment or perhaps the enjoyment of your guests when hosting a party or BBQ.

Your outdoor furniture needs to be brought out, dusted off, wiped down, cleaned and polished if necessary. Your cushion covers may also need to be laundered or replaced depending upon their condition.

Also, re-evaluate your furniture requirements. Do you have enough seats or dining spaces to accommodate? If not, you may be in the market for a new garden set.

Air conditioning and ceiling fans

If your home benefits from an air conditioning system or set of ceiling fans, now is the time to ensure that they are in full working order. Replace any air conditioning filters as required and ensure that the ceiling fan direction is downwards. Also check that fans are set to run anti-clockwise in order to maximise the cooling effect on the warmest of days.

Outdoor spaces

Tidy and jazz up your outdoor spaces, be it your balcony, patio, roof terrace or other outside area. Undertake a general tidy up in terms of removing debris, jet washing the surface and consider injecting life with some new plants or other focal points as the space allows.

The provision of outdoor lighting and heating are additional considerations to be making if you are keen to enjoy your outdoor space well into the evening. Perhaps you have some outdoor lights or heaters already, or if not, you may wish to explore your options. If so, head down to your nearest home and garden store and see what they have available to suit your style requirements and budget.

We hope we’ve given you just a few things to think about ahead of the warmer months. Thanks for reading and best of luck readying your home for summer – fingers crossed that we’re on for a good one!