Summer Maintenance Tips

Somehow we are already three weeks into summer, the first of which was spent dealing with heavy rains and floods.  As things start to turn around and we see weather that resembles summer, we thought it may be helpful to post some maintenance tips for your Auto, Home and Garden!


Auto

• Change 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
• Change the oil and oil filter
• Check the fluid levels and clean the under carriage to remove any remaining salt/debris
• Check the hoses and belts
• Change the air filter
• Check and if necessary, replace the windshield wipers
• Check the brakes
• Check the coolant and 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!  A local shop that we highly recommend is Formula Auto.


Home

• Check 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
• Check 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
• Check foundation and walls for cracks
• Check windows and door locks to make sure they work properly
• Check for water leaks and caulk around windows and doors as necessary
• Check 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
• Clean dust from 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
• Clean the dust from 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 2013!


The Costen & Associates Team