Summer is officially here, and Canadians are delighted! There is so much to look forward to from longer days to beautiful weather. A great way to ensure that you can enjoy your summer stress-free is to perform some very simple, yet necessary, summer maintenance tasks around your home–here are a few summer home maintenance tasks to get you started.
Clean Kitchen Exhaust Fan Filter
Like your furnace, your kitchen exhaust fan has a filter that should occasionally be cleaned or replaced. When you’re already performing summer home maintenance and cleaning, it’s the perfect time to clean your kitchen exhaust fan filter that is most likely clogged with grease, dirt, and other debris. To clean your kitchen exhaust filter simply take it out of the hood range and submerge it in warm, soapy water for 15-20 minutes. After soaking, lightly scrub any excess off and pat dry with a clean towel.
Clean Refrigerator
Once every three months or so, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean out your refrigerator. This means removing all of the food from inside, throwing away anything that could be expired, cleaning the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with soap and water, and finishing off by emptying the drip tray of any water. A great way to remember to do this is to simply add it to your summer home maintenance checklist.
Check Dishwasher For Leaks
Over time due to general wear and tear, drain hoses within your dishwasher can become slightly disconnected, causing a leak. As part of your summer maintenance checklist, take the time to check your dishwasher’s internals and make sure that the clamps are holding the hose in place securely. To ensure there isn’t an external leak, run your dishwasher through a cycle once and keep an eye on the sealing around the door to ensure that it’s tight and there isn’t any water escaping. Finally, to ensure that your dishwasher is clean and functioning properly, fill a dishwasher-safe bowl full of white vinegar and run it through an empty dishwasher. The vinegar mixed with the steam will help to clean and dislodge any remaining or stuck food particles.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance For Your AC
A vital part of your annual summer home maintenance tasks should always be to call your local HVAC technicians for annual preventative maintenance for your air conditioner. Scheduling a maintenance appointment allows for an expert technician to clean and inspect your system, ensuring that it works properly and maintains the validity of your system’s warranty.
Clean The Area Around Your AC
Something that you as a homeowner can do to ensure that your air conditioner is running smoothly is to take the time to ensure that the area around the outdoor unit is tidy and free from obstructions. At least once this season, go to your outside unit and make sure that it’s free from long grass, leaves, twigs, dirt, and other natural debris.
Thoroughly Clean Your Grill
At the start and around the middle of your grilling season, you should perform a very thorough clean of your grill to ensure that you’re cooking food on a sanitary and safe surface. This includes wiping down the outside of the unit, soaking the grill grates, and vacuuming out the firebox. A great way to keep your grill clean throughout the year is to periodically check your grease pan and firebox to ensure that leftover grease has not built up, this will help you maintain your grill’s cleanliness while also protecting your patio from grease stains.
Invest In Home Protection
In order to really appreciate your home this summer after you’ve performed all of your necessary home maintenance tasks, invest in a Smarter Living Plan through Hudson’s Bay Financial Services. A Smarter Living Plan protects home furnishing, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and electrical systems, by covering costly repairs and replacements. Allowing you to enjoy your summer and not have to worry about any what-ifs like paying out of pocket for a suddenly broken appliance or damaged furniture. Plus, when you sign up, you have the opportunity to earn up to 5,000 Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.1
Interested in learning more about protecting your home throughout the summer months?
Get a quote for ZucoraHome’s Smarter Living Plan today!
1 Hudson’s Bay Rewards points offer may change without notice. All Hudson’s Bay Rewards points will be awarded within four to six weeks.