While we all live for those long, golden Wisconsin summer evenings, our homes usually need a little TLC to recover from the freeze-and-thaw cycle of a Badger State winter. Before you fire up the grill and settle into lake life, taking a few hours to tackle this maintenance checklist will keep your home running smoothly all season long.
Give Your AC a Head Start After sitting idle through a snowy winter, your air conditioner shouldn't be expected to jump into a heatwave without a checkup. Swap out your furnace filter (yes, even in summer!) to ensure clear airflow, and clear away any dead leaves or brush that may have gathered around your exterior condenser unit. A quick spray with the garden hose to clean the coils can go a long way in keeping your home cool without spiking your energy bill.
Inspect the Deck and Patio Wisconsin winters are notoriously tough on wood and masonry. Take a walk around your deck to look for popped nails, loose boards, or signs of wood rot from snow pile-up. If water no longer beads on the surface, it might be time for a fresh coat of sealant. For those with stone patios, check for shifting or heaving caused by the frost—catching a small leveling issue now prevents a major tripping hazard during your next backyard BBQ.
Midwestern Lawn Love Our humidity can be a blessing and a curse for lawns. To keep your grass lush, aim for deep, infrequent watering in the early morning hours rather than a light daily sprinkle. This encourages deep root growth, which helps the grass survive those inevitable July dry spells. Also, keep your mower blades high; taller grass shades the soil, keeping the roots cool and discouraging weeds from taking hold.
Check Your Seals Finally, do a quick lap around your windows and doors. Winter ice can crack old caulking, which lets your expensive cool air escape. A five-minute touch-up with a caulk gun can save you a headache later this summer.
Taking care of these small tasks now means you can spend the rest of the season exactly where you should be: enjoying the sunshine. If you have questions about local contractors or want to know which summer upgrades add the most value to your home, I’m always just a phone call away.
By: Solveig Schroerlucke
