Maintaining your home for summer is important, and a little prevention can go a long way toward avoiding unexpected problems. By taking steps now, like preparing your AC and checking your plumbing, you’ll be able to enjoy worry-free beach days later. This homeowner maintenance checklist outlines essential summer tasks to prepare your home for the hot weather ahead.

For expert home maintenance advice, trust the local pros at Fox Service Company. Here’s what you need to know!

Summer Home Maintenance Tips, By System

Before turning on your AC system, work through our summertime checklist to ensure all of your home’s core systems are in excellent condition. Summer heat means significant increases in electricity use, AC wear and tears, and an overall extra strain on your home’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical equipment.

We’ve divided up our comprehensive summertime checklist by system to make your to-do list a little easier!

HVAC Maintenance for Summer

Your air conditioning unit is the hero of summer. Start the season with a little preventative maintenance that anyone can handle.

To maintain clean and healthy indoor air, it's important to replace your air filter every one to three months. If you suffer from spring or summer allergies caused by tree or grass pollen, you might want to consider swapping it out even more frequently. Additionally, it’s time to get your air conditioning system ready for the warmer months.
Schedule an appointment with Fox Service Company to ensure your AC is serviced properly for summer. Most homeowners typically arrange for routine maintenance at least once a year, and summer is an ideal time to inspect your air conditioning equipment more closely in Austin.
Lastly, if you have central air conditioning, make sure to inspect the outdoor condenser unit for any debris or obstructions. Clearing away leaves, branches, weeds, or sticks is essential to prevent restricted airflow and keep your system running efficiently.

These simple steps for getting an AC unit ready for summer can prevent common summer HVAC problems like frozen evaporator coils, dirty condenser coils, or refrigerant leaks.

Summer Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Long, cold winters often cause hard-to-find leaks or other issues. Spring and summer are ideal opportunities to spot and resolve leaks and equipment problems.

Check for leaks: Inspect faucets, showerheads, and toilets for leaks. Listen for drips and look for water stains or other visible signs of water damage. Don’t forget about appliances; check beneath and behind your dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator, too.
Inspect your water heater: In addition to leaks, make sure your water heater doesn’t have signs of damage, such as bent valves, discoloration or rust, or sediment buildup. The best way to check for sediment is to listen for rumbling when water is running anywhere in the house.

You can prevent summer plumbing problems by rinsing off sandy feet outside and keeping outdoor water use in check. Avoid using too much water at the same time, such as washing clothes while watering the lawn, to reduce strain on pipes.

Summer Electrical Maintenance Checklist

Air conditioning units, heat pumps, even your trusty ceiling fan: they all use electricity. That means your electricity bill is likely to follow rising summer temperatures. Addressing potential electrical systems will keep you safe and may lower your bills! Here’s what to do:

Test your GFCI circuit interrupters (GFCIs): Press the “test” button on allGFCI outlets to make sure it trips. This will cause the “reset” button to pop up. If it works, simply press the reset button again to restore power to the outlet. If a GFCI outlet doesn’t trip, contact Fox Service Company for replacement.
Inspect outlets and switches: Check for cracks, loose plates, or signs of damage. If you notice evidence of melting, smoke marks, or other issues, stop using the outlet and contact an electrician.
Examine outdoor outlets and lighting: Especially if you haven’t used exterior electrical components since last summer, inspect outdoor components for damage. Clear any vegetation that might grow near outlets.

Always rely on a trained and experienced technician to repair damaged or broken electrical outlets, circuits, or infrastructure. The electricians at Fox Service Company are available 24/7 to keep you and your family safe.

General Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Here are a few more accessible ways to prepare for summer at home.

Switch your ceiling fan direction: Take a moment to reverse your ceiling fan direction to counterclockwise to cool down spaces efficiently!
Tidy up the lawn: Trim trees and brush away from your home, remove dead plants and weeds, and pick up any sticks. This will make mowing easier.
Look for pests and rodents: Inspect the outside of your home, such as exterior vents, window ledges, and cracked foundations, for signs of insect damage or pest infestation.

Here’s To a Stress-Free Summer

There’s nothing quite like summer in Austin. Stay ahead of unexpected HVAC, plumbing, or electrical problems by tackling summer maintenance basics. For all other needs, rely on Fox Service Company for prompt and professional home services. We’re proud to serve you!

The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist for Summer in Austin