Nothing is better than the feel of the sun on your face and the warmth of climbing temperatures. But if you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, you know that the summer sun will only get brighter, and the temperatures will only get hotter. July is by far the hottest month in West Palm Beach, Florida. Temperatures will reach higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit every day, and humidity will soar. In addition, rain will increase, as will the threat of severe weather. With high temperatures and the constant threat of rain, homeowners need to complete their cleaning tips while they can. Complete the following cleaning tasks to prepare you and your home for the upcoming summer.
Clean the gutters and downspouts.
With wind and rain increasing over the next few months, your gutters and downspouts must be tip-top. Gutters aren’t just a random addition to a home. They serve a very important function of collecting rainwater and moving it away from your home. A home without gutters or one with ineffective gutters is open to water pooling and foundation damage. To clean your gutter system, hire a professional or inspect and clean them yourself. If you choose to clean the gutter system, you will need a ladder, hose, gloves, and trash bag. Once you have your supplies gathered, follow these steps:
- Safely position your ladder so that you can climb it without it wobbling. Always have someone at the ladder’s base to ensure that it stays steady while you are working.
- Inspect your gutters
- Remove leaves, twigs, etc., from the gutters.
- Assess the level of your gutters by running slow-moving water into the gutter. Does the water roll directly to the downspout? Does it pool in one area? If water pools in one area of your gutter, you have an issue with the level. This could be from a dent or the gutter slipping on one side, preventing water from rolling downhill.
- Inspect the downspout. Shine a flashlight down the downspout. Do you see debris? You can also run water down the downspout. Does it come out quickly at the end, or does it move slowly? If water moves slowly, you may have a clog in the downspout.
- Call a professional: If you notice water pooling, the downspout not draining quickly, dents in the gutters, or mold and mildew building up around the gutter, contact a professional to fix the issue immediately.
Clean the windows
Most homeowners clean the surfaces around the interior of the windows regularly. However, the exterior of the windows tends to be forgotten. Unfortunately, this can lead to debris, mildew, and dirt buildup. Before the summer weather is too hot for outdoor cleaning, spruce up your windows.
- Collect cleaning supplies: streak-free glass cleaner, paper towels, a bucket of warm soapy water, a rag, and a hose.
- Remove screens for the outside of the window.
- Wash the screens gently with the soap rag before rinsing. Set the screens aside.
- Wash around the windows and the ledges with warm soapy water. Rinse the area.
- Spray the window with streak-free glass cleaner and wipe it with a paper towel.
- Reattach the screens
- Step back and marvel at your sparklingly clean windows.
If your windows are seriously dated, you may want to consider upgrading them. Not only do new Energy Star-certified windows increase your home’s energy efficiency, but they are also valuable if and when you need to sell your West Palm Beach house fast. In addition to cleaning your windows, you should check for cracks. If you notice cracks, you can fill them with caulk for a quick fix that will prevent water damage that can occur in the future.
Clean the deck/patio.
Though the sun is intense and the humidity will keep rising you can still enjoy your deck/patio throughout the summer. But first, you need to prepare the area so that it is clean. How you clean your deck/patio largely depends upon the type of outdoor area you have. Many Florida homeowners have a covered patio that leads to either a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, or fire pit. Not only are these outdoor perks perfect for homeowners to enjoy, but they are also very popular among homebuyers, especially those relocating from Northern states. To clean your covered patio, you will need to:
- Remove all furniture, rugs, and accessories.
- Spray down the deck with a power washer
- Put the rug, furniture, and accessories back or update them with new items
- Clean up leaves, dirt, cobwebs, debris, etc., from around the patio
Next, depending upon your backyard setup, you will need to move onto cleaning around the pool, kitchen, or other outdoor area.
- Sweep and power wash the surface area
- Remove debris from around the area
- Clean out cabinets, grill racks, sink, etc., of the kitchen
- Sweep around the pool and inspect the sides of the pool for cracks or deformation
- Inspect the fire pit and the seating area for debris or damaged ground
Address lighting issues
Though the sun is bright throughout the summer days, it still hides from the world at night, leaving your house in complete darkness. While you most likely have some outdoor lighting system, you should inspect and, if needed, repair or update it.
- Check for and replace damaged bulbs.
- Remove cobwebs, dust, and dirt from light fixtures
- Clean light fixtures by removing the outer globe or glass and cleaning it.
- Replace old light fixtures with new solar-powered ones
- Opt for stairway lights or pathway lights where it is dark and a tripping hazard is present
- Install solar-powered landscaping lights for added ambiance
Clean the siding
Nothing takes more of a beating throughout the year than your roof and siding. Hail, rain, wind, and debris all take a toll on the stability of your roof and siding. Luckily you can inspect both of these, assess if your roof and siding are damaged, and clean your siding.
- Climb up on a ladder (with a buddy holding the base of the ladder) and inspect your roof for loose or broken shingles and areas with visible moss or mold. If you notice any of these, call a professional roofer right away.
- Inspect your siding for signs of damage. Look for loose siding or cracks in your stucco.
- If you notice loose siding or cracks, call a professional immediately. Water that can get into your siding will cause water damage and lead to mold.
- Wash the siding of your house using a power washer. Use a combination of cleaner and mildewcide and spray the entire home using a slow side-to-side motion.
With all your necessary tasks completed, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the Florida heat. Remember to check in on your HVAC system, roof, and gutters periodically throughout the summer to ensure they work efficiently.