By Tyler R. Morrissey
If it feels like we went from winter right to summer, you’re not wrong. Last week’s temperatures reached into the 90s, breaking some long standing records and giving us the impressions of sunny, summertime afternoons. However, no matter what the thermometer says we are still in the midst of spring. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start thinking about what lies ahead this June and July. Today we look at some ways to make sure your home is ready for the summer and all that accompanies the season.
Water Works
You want to stay on top of home projects before the season changes, not after the transition takes place. One of the most delicate home care projects is maintaining a healthy lawn and garden. The New York Times’ Annual Home Maintenance Checklist offers a few tips for summer to make sure the exterior of your home is looking the best. Fairly soon the spring showers will end and you will need to water your plants and lawn more frequently. If you have a sprinkler the Times suggests checking to make sure each sprinkler head is upright and free of clogs. Also, it’s a good idea to turn on the water before the summer heat sets in and make sure the spray is wide enough to cover the area you want watered.
Keep Your Cool
In the early weeks of summer sometimes the temperature does not warrant the use of central air conditioning, but it can still feel a bit uncomfortable in your home. Or maybe you’re an allergy sufferer and the thought of opening all of the windows in your house sends you running toward the Kleenex aisle. Luckily there are ways to keep your home cool without turning on the A/C or opening your windows. Huffington Post offers some helpful advice like keeping your blinds closed during the day or investing in some blackout curtains to keep sunlight from warming up your rooms. It’s also a good idea to swap out your winter or fall bedding. Not only does seasonally switching your bedding freshen up a room, but it’s also a great way to keep cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. Finally you should avoid turning on your kitchen’s oven and opt for a grill night when the mercury begins to rise.
There’s No Party Like an Outdoor Party
Speaking of firing up the grill, the summer time is the prime season to get full use out of an outdoor kitchen or barbeque. House Beautiful has some suggestions to help make your next backyard cookout a fun and successful one. If you are lacking a cooler or way to keep your drinks cold, clean out a wheelbarrow, throw some ice in and you have a rustic and portable cooler. Are your condiment containers ruining the aesthetic of your main table? Buy some metal tin cans and stick chalkboard stickers on them to write out ketchup, mustard, etc. for an Instagram-able outdoor spread.
Summer Renovations Made Easy
With the threat of snow and ice far in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about some home improvements. Summer is a popular time for major home renovations and restorations, which means there are ton of factors to consider before swinging a sledge hammer. LoHud suggests preparing rooms that will not be impacted by any project, so that you can use them as potential storage rooms if necessary. If your driveway will be used as a staging area for contractors or equipment, consider ahead of time where you will park so that you can enjoy easy access to your vehicle without getting in the way. Also, if renovations impact your cooking space, planning for a temporary kitchen will make a big difference in how easily your family functions on a daily basis.
Keep Insects at Bay
Warm weather also brings about unwanted insects such as ants, mosquitoes and wasps. Zillow recommends taking steps to remove wasp and hornet’s nests now before they form a large, aggressive colony. You can play it safe by calling a professional, or spray nests at night when they’re less active. If you do decide to take matters into your own hands be sure to wear eye protection and long sleeved clothing.
