Home Work to Prepare for Summer

 With summer holidays approaching, it’s time for homeowners to get to work on important maintenance tasks and repairs that will help protect their house from the sun, First National Real Estate South Australia says.

“A home’s exterior takes a real beating under the heat of the sun,” First National Real Estate SA director Russell Burton said. “But the warmer weather provides ideal conditions for maintenance and structural repairs, and its also great weather for painting, indoors or out.

“Keeping your house well-maintained not only gives you a sense of satisfaction and pride, but it’s financially wise because small problems don’t escalate and become expensive repairs.”

Mr Burton also said that given that late spring and early summer is a more active sales period, keeping the street-side presentation of your house at a high standard will upwardly influence the sales results of any neighbours selling in the street. “Obviously this has a positive impact on your own sale price when you come to sell,” he said

First National Real Estate’s recommended to-do list for this summer includes:

· Check all window seals and door frames. “If there are gaps, hot air will get in and you’ll be wasting your money trying to keep the home cool during the hottest months,” Mr Burton said. “Replace seals where necessary and keep draft stoppers handy for the base of back and front doors.”
· Consider bringing in a professional house-washing service that can legally high-pressure wash your house and windows to remove algae and winter grime that sometimes builds up on south facing elevations. These services use far less water than a regular hose, assuming you are in an area where you can still legally wash hard outdoor surfaces
· Clean ceiling fans and air conditioner filters before use. It can also be wise to call in a professional heating and cooling specialist to inspect your air conditioning unit and a professional electrician to look at the wiring in ceiling fans – after all, they’ve been dormant for many months.
· Check exterior paintwork for signs of wear and tear and apply a fresh coat or touch-ups where necessary.
· Examine the verandah or decking for winter damage. “Cold weather and rain can wreak havoc on wood,” Mr Burton said. “This is a good time to reapply sealant to prolong the lifespan of the wood and also check for any boards that have become loose and nails that have lifted.” Wooden outdoor furniture can also do with a good coat of oil.
· Refill a child’s sandpit with fresh sand and inspect play equipment to ensure it hasn’t rusted or weakened during winter.
· Clear the roof and gutters of all branches, leaves and debris that may have collected during winter, and clean out any underbrush from around the house. “This is particularly important in any area that may at any risk from bushfires,” Mr Burton said.
· Check that fences haven’t sagged or shifted. “If they have, call in a professional immediately,” Mr Burton said. “This is a safety issue as much as an aesthetic one. Also check that locks and catches are in good working order.”