July Jobs Around The House

The summer solstice has passed, July is upon us, and the temperature outside feels like the surface of the sun. The uncommon heat wave we've been experiencing since June looks to be with us into August due to a stagnant high pressure dome that's holding in the heat and humidity. We get it! Moreover we feel it and for this reason the outdoor manual labor around the house might not be your top priority and shouldn't be if you are at all susceptible to the heat.

Since we know home maintenance can be one of the least appealing parts of adulting, we’re here to help. Read on for a trusted list of quick, relatively painless tasks that’ll potentially save major repair costs down the road. Let's look at some things that can not only bring some relief from the heat but also help to reduce energy bills.

3 Tips To Boost Your AC

Few things around your home work harder in the hot summer months than your Air Conditioning, especially when we are seeing temperatures well over 100 degrees day after day. The following video provides you with 3 easy to do tips to boost your AC performance, increase the life span of your unit and even lower your energy bill. 

These tips are easy and any homeowner can perform these tasks but if you'd rather have an AC technician do them for you then look to our Preferred Vendor List below. 

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Caring for Your Pool In The Summer

What can be more inviting on a hot, hot summer day than a dip in your sparkling clear pool? But the summer heat and sun can take a heavy toll on your pool, especially the chlorine and other important chemicals. Here are a few tips from pool maintenance experts help keep your pool clear and inviting and if things do get out of control, because you were away on vacation and we got some heavy rains, call in a pro from our Preferred Vendor List below to help get things back on track. 

1. Keep an eye on chlorine demand - The warmer the water, the more demand on your chemicals, especially chlorine. Chlorine is susceptible to the sun’s UV rays. It can break down if your stabilizer is low. Warm water can also make your chlorine less effective. Additionally, algae, bacteria and other microorganisms can thrive in warm water environments. These nuisances love the heat, and summer storms bring food for algae as well. To keep your pool in top shape all summer, chlorine should be kept at 2-4 ppm throughout the year, and the pool needs to be shocked on a weekly basis. During especially hot months, when the pool temperature is above 85°, additional sanitizers and shock may be necessary. Don't forget stabilizer and calcium as both are needed to help keep your pool water properly balanced in pH, alkilinity and calcium to avoid overuse of chlorine and keep the water crystal clear.

2.  Evaporation - If the weather is especially hot it can cause excessive evaporation. When your pool loses water this way, it also takes some of the chemicals in your pool with it. Chlorine levels can get too high, so make sure to test your water often to keep the chemicals balanced.

3. Pool Equipment - just as important as the chemicals is how often the pool pump is circulating to keep the water moving and being filtered. During extremely hot days it may be necessary to increase the time your pool equipment runs to provide the filtration and movement of the water needed to maintain the clarity. The hotter the day the longer your pool pump should run as algae needs sunlight, imbalance in the chemicals and still water to grow most effectively. Experts generally recommend at least one hour for every 10 degrees of air temperature - for 80 degree days that would be 8 hours or 100 degree days that would be 10 to 12 hours of pool equipment operation. Always remember to check your pool equipment during operation frequently during extremely hot weather. 

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Seal Up Your Home

Using caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home is one of the most inexpensive ways you can save money on your utilities. It can also help improve your home’s air quality, prevent moisture problems, and prolong the life of your HVAC system.

Shortcut: Pay particular attention to leaks around doors, windows, attic access panels, recessed ceiling lights, electrical outlets, and switch plates.

Consider sealing and insulating air ducts, which can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills. According to industry experts, air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30% of a cooling system’s energy consumption. They recommend calling in a professional to do the job, which may cost a few hundred dollars—an expense that can easily be earned back with a hefty return on energy savings.

Inspect Windows

Poorly insulated or installed windows can sap energy from your home—and let in summer’s delightful brood of insects.

Shortcut: Check for any gaps between your windows and their casings and inspect your screens for holes. The price for new screens varies depending on a variety of factors (including the size of your window and your geographic area), but you can plan to spend between $5 and $15 per screen.

Call in the pros: A professional can take care of this for you, but you’ll pay a premium on those hourly rates. A professional window screen replacement service will run a few hundred dollars depending on the number of windows. (You should always ask about discounts for having multiple windows done at one time.)

Service Washer and Dryer

In these dog days of summer, you’re probably sweating through a few more outfits than usual. If you’re buried in laundry, you’ll want to make sure your washer and dryer can handle the load.

Shortcut: A bit of white vinegar in the washer drum will usually take care of most cleaning needs and prevent mold from growing.

If you have a front-loading washer, make sure to clean the gasket (that circular piece of rubber that seals the door). Use a diluted vinegar, and wipe behind the gasket to remove any detergent buildup or debris. Leave the door open when you’re done to allow the gasket to thoroughly dry. 

Finally, take it easy on detergent. Using too much detergent can damage your washer. Detergent residue can build up in the washer—and on clothes—resulting in unpleasant odors in the machine, clothes that are not completely rinsed, and, over time, machine components that can fail.

In the dryer, remove and wash the lint screen—especially important if you use dryer sheets. And if you find that the automatic cycle isn’t fully drying your clothes, check for excess lint in the dryer vent tube.

Need professional assistance? Click below for local contractors.