Grilling on the back deck of your home in Locust Grove, taking in the sunshine as you enjoy a cone from the Icebox Creamery, taking the trail in Wilderness Shores that leads to the Rapidan River, and the last day of school are all indicators that summer is on the way. Now that the spring pollen has finally subsided, it’s time to get outside and prepare your home for the hot summer days.

  • Clean the air conditioner The most hard working machine during summer months, your air conditioner can use a little attention. Over the year it has collected dirt, pollen, and other debris that makes cooling the air harder and in turn less efficient. You can help your air conditioner by giving it a rinse. First, turn off the thermostat and then turn off the electricity going to the outside unit by finding the switch in a metal box usually located near the unit. Using some coil cleaner (follow the recommendations based on your particular unit) and a hose to wash off the coils. Not so confident in your skills? Air conditioner repair companies often offer cleanings for around than one hundred dollars.
  • Power wash sidewalks and driveways Did you know that a bag of mulch left on a sidewalk has the ability to stain the surface of the concrete? I learned the hard way. For stains that won’t wash away in a summer thunderstorm, use a powerwasher. Ridding the sidewalks of mulch stains, dirt, and sidewalk chalk goes a long way to giving your home a fresh appeal.
  • Fill in Grass There is a constant battle going on at my house between the weeds and me. Just as I finally manage to remove the invasion I’m left with empty patches in my yard that just don’t seem to fill in. Toss some grass seed in those empty spots to fill them in. Check the weather and add the seed a day or two before an expected rainy day to take advantage of the free water from mother nature.
  • Check Your Outdoor Faucets True story: One day I went to turn on the water from the outside faucet for the first time since fall. Less water than usual was coming out of the faucet. Undaunted by this, I continued washing the car. Then my wife comes rushing outside to tell me that water is dripping down the walls in the basement. Whoops. Turns out that the pipe had cracked sometime in the winter. If my wife hadn’t gone into the basement, it may have been a bit before we realized this. So, before you start any big project that involves water outside, make sure that they are all functioning properly.
  • Pests be gone While you can’t eradicate every unfriendly insect from your lawn, you can make it less appealing. Mosquitos love standing water so make sure your not harboring any in buckets or flower pots. Ticks appreciate tall grass so regular moving may help. Termites and ants like damp wood so keeping mulch away from the foundation of your home can help deter them.
  • Clean the Grill There is something great about the smell of outdoor grilling. Be ready for your first session by giving your grill a good scrub. If you kept the grill outside over winter, first inspect the lines to make sure that no mice had a snack. Then, to clean the grates turn the burners on high and close the lid. After 15 minutes, turn the grill off and open the lid. Let it cool and then use a ball of foil to clean the grates. Need a more thorough cleaning? Pull the pieces of the grill apart and scrub with some dish detergent.
  • Change the ceiling fan direction Many fans have a switch on them that changes the direction the blades turn. In the summer, having the fan move counterclockwise is the way to go. While your up there, use an old pillow case to clean off the blades. You can collect all the dust inside the pillow case and prevent it from spreading throughout the room.

These seven easy and simple tips will help you prep your home for the summer months.

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