Summer Maintenance Tips

The first official day of summer 2019 is THIS Friday, June 21st (woo hoo!) so we thought it may be helpful to post some maintenance tips for your vehicles, home and garden!

Automobiles

• Swap winter tires to summer tires (yes, some of us are still driving on our winter tires)
• Check the air pressure and tread on your tires
• Replace the oil and oil filter
• Check the fluid levels and clean the under carriage to remove any remaining salt/debris
• Inspect the hoses and belts
• Change the air filter
• Inspect, and if necessary, replace the windshield wipers
• Check the brakes
• Top up the coolant and check the radiator
• Clean the battery

If you’re not mechanically inclined, there are many places that can take care of these items for you. A lot of auto body and repair shops also offer “tune-up” or “maintenance” specials at this time of year, so don’t forget to ask! 

Property

• Inspect your recreational equipment, including your BBQ to ensure gas lines are still good and burners are not rusted or damaged
• Check your driveway and concrete patio for possible deterioration and fill in any cracked concrete or asphalt
• Inspect your wood deck for any possible deterioration and screw down any loose boards, remove and replace damaged or rotting boards, and stain and seal the deck
• Check exterior siding for loose materials or rot, and repair or replace if necessary
• Observe foundation and walls for cracks
• Test windows and door locks to make sure they work properly
• Check for water leaks and caulk around windows and doors as necessary
• Inspect soffits, fascia and eaves trough for any damage or deterioration
• Clean out gutters and make sure water flows freely out of the down spouts
• Inspect your roof for any leaks or damage, or deterioration (i.e. curling, cracking) of shingles
• Dust your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replace the batteries, and test to ensure they are working properly
• Clean the clothes dryer vents and exhaust duct, as well as the space under your dryer
• Dust behind and under your fridge
• Check the water hoses on your clothes washer, refrigerator and dishwasher for deterioration
• Pressure wash the exterior of your home and update the paint on your siding/deck as necessary

Garden

• Weed, weed, weed!
• Add a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and help the ground retain moisture
• Deadhead perennials and annuals to keep them productive
• Pull out dead foliage from spring bulbs
• Create a watering schedule to train your garden to endure dry days, watering deeply a couple times a week instead of watering lightly daily
• Start a compost!

A great resource for energy saving tips, gardening ideas, and helpful seminars on organic gardening, composting, etc. is Green Calgary. Check them out here!

Hopefully you have found some of these tips to be helpful.  If you have any to add, we’d love to hear from you!

Thank you and we wish you and your Family a wonderful summer 2019!

The Costen Insurance Team