Prep Your Home for Summer Weather

By Staci McCann, Insurance Division Manager at Brigs, LLC

The summer weather is finally upon us and while most of us have thoughts of lazy days at the beach, cookouts, and bonfires on our minds, summer also brings bugs, heat waves, and higher electric bills.  Here are a few tips to get your home prepped so you can enjoy the comfort and peace of mind for the season.

Clean Fans & Change the Rotation

Before turning those ceiling fans on for the season, be sure to clean them thoroughly removing all of the dust that has collected over the winter.   A Swiffer Duster is a great tool to remove and collect dust, but if you don’t have one handy, a pillowcase works great as well.  Simply wrap the pillowcase around the fan blade and drag it over the top of the blade to collect the dust inside, then throw the pillowcase into the wash!

Once clean you want to change the fan to run counter-clockwise so the air flows directly downwards.  Most fans have a toggle switch to easily change the direction of the blades.

Clean AC units

If you have central air conditioning, you’ll want to hire a professional HVAC company to service the unit, clean the ducts and replace the filter.

Window AC units can get very dirty and can cause respiratory problems if not properly cleaned each year.  A clean unit will also run more efficiently.

Steps to prep your AC for the season:

1.      Unplug the unit and disconnect it from all power sources.  Follow the instruction manual to learn how to discharge the capacitor.  The capacitor holds a small charge and is used to start the AC motor.

2.     Dust off the exterior of the unit, then remove the cover.

3.     Filter replacement/cleaning.

a.     If your unit has a disposable filter, remove it.

• Vacuum the inside of the unit and replace the filter.

• You may now plug the unit back in for use.

b.     If your unit has a reusable filter, remove it.

• Swirl it around a bucket of warm soapy water to clean it.  If especially dirty you may want to use a soft brush to gently clean it.

• Once the filter is clean, rinse well and let it air dry.  It’s very important that the filter be completely dry before putting back into the AC unit to avoid mold.

• Vacuum the inside of the unit and replace the filter.

• You may now plug it back in for use.

c.     The filter should be replaced/cleaned once a month as long as the AC unit is in use.

Have the Home Checked for Air Leaks

Insulation doesn’t just keep warm air in for the winter, it also keeps cool air in for the summer.  Insulation leakage can increase your heating/electric bills during any season.   It’s best to call an insulation specialist to check your home for air leakage.

There is a DIY option though that’s relatively easy to do.  Simply light a stick of incense and walk through your home, carefully holding it next to areas that may cause air leakage.  If the smoke from the incense goes anywhere other than straight up, you may have an air leakage issue.

Common areas of leakage:

• Floors, walls, ceilings

• Ducts

• Fireplaces

• Areas where pipes pass through walls

• Doors

• Windows

• Fans/Vents

• Electrical outlets

Keep Bugs Out

Insulating your home properly can also help keep bugs out.  There are a few other things you can do to help minimize the swarms of bugs often seen in the summer months.

• Add door sweeps and weather stripping to all exterior doors.

• Maintain your screens with 20 mesh or smaller screens for windows.  Repair any rips or tears in the screens.  Small rips can be repaired with clear nail polish.

• Dump or drain any standing water in or around your yard.

• Have an exterminator spray the exterior around your home.

• Invite bug predators such as birds into your yard with bird feeders and birdhouses.     

Protect Against Storm Damage

Summer weather can often include windstorms and hail, you want to protect the exterior of your home from storm damage.

• Check drains and clean out gutters.

• Trim branches and remove trees. Talk with a landscaper of tree removal company if you have large trees within 100 feet of your home, and consider removing them. Trim back any branches that are hanging over your house.

• Keep your yard free of debris that can be blown away during a storm.

• Small rocks and gravel can blow around during storms causing damage, talk to a landscaper about alternatives you can use in your yard.

• Clean and update windows. Consider pressure-treated windows that can withstand heavier winds than standard windows. Heavy winds can blow bugs/dirt back into your home from the window box.

• Update your roof. If you’re having your roof replaced, be sure to use class 4 shingles that are rated to withstand hail damage.

• Protect your car. Clean your garage out as part of your summer prep each year. You don’t want to have to scramble trying to get your car into the garage during a sudden hailstorm. If you don’t have a garage or your car does not fit, consider a portable garage for the season.

• Update your insurance. Talk to your insurance agent to ensure your policy is up to date and that you have all proper coverage in place to protect your home.