Prep Your Home for Summer with this HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Checklist
May is a great time to start thinking about proactive home maintenance. The weather is mild, so it’s a perfect opportunity to work on your home from the inside out.
These quick checks can prevent major issues, improve your comfort, and provide peace of mind as the weather warms up!
Here’s a checklist of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical tasks to help you get ahead:
HVAC Checklist
✔ Check Your Filters: If you haven’t checked your air filters in a few months, now is a great time! Look for signs of buildup and discoloration. If you notice any, it’s time to change them. Dirty filters can block essential airflow and reduce efficiency. Your system will need to work hard in the summer heat, so be sure to set a reminder to check your filters again in a couple of months!
✔ Clean Up Your Outdoor Unit: Another important pre-summer HVAC task is clearing leaves, debris, and overgrown vegetation around your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow.
✔ Book a Spring HVAC Inspection: By far one of the most important spring HVAC tasks is booking a professional inspection. An experienced technician will determine if your system is running safely and efficiently. They will help you spot issues before the demand for repairs peaks in July and August.
PLUMBING
✔ Check for Leaks: It’s a good idea to regularly check under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances for leaks. While they might start small, they can quickly get worse. Look for red flags such as water stains, musty odors, and damp areas.
✔ Inspect Outdoor Fixtures: The cold winter months can damage or crack your outdoor plumbing fixtures, so it’s a good idea to inspect them thoroughly when you start using them in the spring. Turn on your outdoor spigots and look for leaks and reduced water pressure. If you notice an issue, it’s time to call a plumber!
✔ Install Leak Detectors: A small leak can turn into major damage, especially if no one’s home to catch it! Imagine returning from vacation this summer to a severely flooded home. A leak detection system can help catch problems early, before they lead to costly repairs.
ELECTRICAL
✔ Prep for Summer Storms: Summer power surges and outages are more common due to storms, so it’s a good idea to consider ways to protect your sensitive electronics with surge protection.
✔ Test GCFI outlets: Plug a light into the outlet, press the "TEST" button, make sure the light goes out, then press the "RESET" button. It’s a good idea to test these outlets monthly!
✔ Check Outdoor Components: Summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor lighting on warm evenings! Give your outdoor electrical components a thorough inspection, including outlets, covers, and exterior lighting. Be sure that everything is functioning well and is protected from summer storms.
Complete this checklist, and you can rest easy knowing that you’ve proactively prepared your home for the changing seasons!
If you live near Charlottesville, Virginia, and you need HVAC, plumbing, or electrical assistance, the team here at W.E. Brown is ready to help. Give us a call to schedule an inspection, and we’ll make sure everything is running smoothly for the warmer days ahead.
