Warmer weather has finally arrived in Glenview and it's time to open up those windows (when it isn't raining, of course) and let that fresh air and light into your Glenview home. May's the time to get your home ready for the hot summer that is just around the corner.
Take Care of Your Cooling System
It's important to take care of your cooling system before just firing it up for full-time use. First, change or clean your filter from the winter. Then, keep your filter fresh by changing it every other month while the system is in use. It's important to check the evaporator unit for dirt by simply brushing it. Remove the pan from the bottom of the unit and give it a good scrub or replace it altogether. Now is the time to trim all surrounding shrubs to keep the area clear around the air conditioning unit.
You can keep algae, mildew and mold from forming in and around your air conditioning unit with some good old-fashioned care and elbow grease. Your unit will have a pipe that drops evaporated moisture onto the ground. Clean the line by removing the cap at the access hole on top of the pipe and pour a cup of bleach into it. Let the bleach just drain to the ground.
If there's a clog in your pipe, attach the suction end of a wet-dry vacuum briefly to pipe's end, wrap duct tape at the joint to form a seal and run your vacuum to remove the clog; clogs can allow water to back up into the house causing damage to the unit and your home.
Retire Your Furnace
Before you retire your furnace for the summer, check the filter and replace if necessary so that when winter comes around it will be ready for use. Also, vacuum the openings and grilles at the heating and ventilation vents, registers and ducts. You will be glad you did instead of waiting for the cold to arrive to take care of the furnace.
Annual Checkup
Taking care of those appliances that keep you comfortable through the year is essential. Avoid the summer rush and make an appointment for a professional to give your furnace and air conditioner their annual check-up to make sure everything is running properly.
When you do get an annual checkup on your appliances, be sure to keep the report so when you do decide to sell your Glenview home, you will have maintenance records to show potential buyers that your home has been taken care of properly.
Vacuum Refrigerator Coils
This is one chore you may not think of often but keep it on your spring cleaning list. Remove the front cover of your refrigerator and using the wand attachment, suck out those dust bunnies, lost food and toys that have made their way under the fridge.
Put Away Free-Standing Electric Heaters
It's now safe to wipe down and dust those electric heaters that helped keep you warm over the winter. Give them a once-over and check for loose cables and wires before storing them for next winter.
These are just a few things you can do to say goodbye to winter and prepare your home's air conditioning system for coming summer. Next, we will look at maintenance to the exterior of your home and window care that should be addressed before summer hits.
If you are looking to sell your home this summer, these are vital steps to show potential buyers your home is well taken care of, and they would be buying a great home.
The Marla Schneider Team can tell you what your home is worth. Let us do a quick "Comparative Market Analysis" for you, for free, and with no obligation. Also known as a CMA, this analysis compares your home to others that are currently on the market and to those that have recently sold.
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