When the end of summer is finally in sight, it is always a good practice to start looking at your home and see what repairs may need to be taken care of. Acting early on repairs can ensure that you are well equipped to handle the dog days of summer, while also preventing potential home calamities in the fall and winter. Here are some summer home repairs you need to make to prevent serious problems for your home.

1. A Leaky Roof

If you notice a small drip from the roof, now is the time to fix it. Roofing repair can be a bit of challenge if you do not know how to get started. It is in your best interest to hire a professional roofing company to inspect your roof and repair problems. Not only do they have the right knowledge, they have all the safety equipment. Falls from roofs can be fatal and seriously injurious.

To find out if you have a roof leak, look at the ceilings. Do you notice any water-stains on your ceiling? Check inside the attic for signs of wetness or water stains rolling down the boards. While you are in the attic, turn off your light and look for any signs of pinholes allowing light to stream through. This will show you exactly where you have some small roofing repairs to make. Check on the insulation level in your attic, as is might be time to add new insulation to help keep your heating and cooling costs under control.

2. Gutter Repairs

Using a ladder, climb up next to the gutters and clean out all the debris. Mud will accumulate in the gutter over the summer as a result of sudden storms and unexpected rainfalls. Wear gloves to protect your hands as you scoop out the mud and debris. You should also use a small hand trowel to scrape out any additional remnants. If you need to, use a hammer to nail the gutters back in place. A lot of homes will have the gutter system start to bend or pull away from the home due to large icicles that pull on the gutter during the winter. Secure the gutters using nails approved for a gutter system. A clogged gutter system can cause flooding problems, as the gutters are unable to properly remove water from the roof and away from the foundation.

3. Service Your HVAC

Ideally, you would call your local HVAC expert in the early spring to come out and service your unit. But for many busy homeowners, your AC unit and its potential problems don’t become readily apparent until summer has arrived. Older units may be hanging on by a thread, and as the temperatures climb, they risk breaking down. Having an expert service your system will let you know to plan on a replacement in the near future. They can also re-charge your Freon so your home will stay nice and cool during the summer. Plan on changing the filter on your HVAC system to keep fresh air circulating in the home.

4. Repair Air Leaks

A simple air leak from a door or window can increase your energy costs. You need to detect air leaks to look for problems that need repairs. Add a new layer of weather-stripping around the windows and doors. If you have an older home, consider having the windows completely replaced. New windows can insulate your home and reduce your energy bill significantly.

 

Byline: Lana Velasquez is a Texas-based freelance home improvement blogger. Having completed many of these end-of-summer repairs, she is now enlisting help from wood crafters and pavers in Houston to cap off her home renovations this year.