Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

What It IsIf your dishwasher cleans most of your dishes, but seems to leave a few of your dishes dirty each cleaning, the spray arms are the likely culprit. Clean the holes at the ends of each arm with an awl or steel skewer.

What It IsCleaning coils takes about five minutes and eliminates the cause of about 70 percent of refrigerator service calls. Coils are on the back of older refrigerators, and on the front of newer models. You can use a paint brush or soft broom to brush dust and dirt off the coils.

What It IsThis is your opportunity to clear your house of unused items that are eating up space. If you think an item is valuable, you might want to check online auction sites for a comparable item to see what a fair asking price is. Otherwise, price your items to sell!

What It IsIn a natural ventilation system, turbines are powered by air movement. Placed near the roof peak, the internal blades of a turbine should turn when the wind blows. This generates cooler air that is sucked into the attic space, forcing warmer air out.

What It IsBesides flushing the tank annually, check the tank's sacrificial anode -- a rod placed inside the tank -- for wear. You should replace the rod every two to five years. If it is not replaced, the rod can cause your water heater tank can rust out.

What It IsAs a general rule, wash from the bottom of the siding up, then rinse back down. Work in 3 to 4 foot wide sections. For general cleaning, keep the wand at least three feet from the surface. When removing heavy grime or paint, work more closely but be aware that you may gouge wood with the pressure.

What It IsQuality window washing depends on the right tools rather than the cleaning solution. Professional window cleaners typically use squeegees because they don’t leave streaks, but a microfiber cloth offers the same benefit.

What It IsThe swimming pool pH level should be between 7.4 and 7.6. Balance the pool chemicals using a water test kit and add chlorine and algaecide as indicated. Proper chemical balance kills germs, protects against algae and prevents corrosion and damage to your pump and vacuum system.

What It IsPlug electronics into surge protectors, which can limit voltage surges during a lightning storm. Prepare an emergency kit with battery-powered flashlights, food and water. Consider installing a lightning protection system with lightning rods that provide a safe path for current to travel to the ground.

What It IsTrim shrubs and prune branches at least 3 feet away from the house. Bushes and tree roots growing too close to your home can crack the foundation and should be removed or replanted. Trimming also helps ensure that foliage is not blocked by the rain shadow of the house.

What It IsInspect outdoor equipment for sharp edges or protruding hardware, such as bolt ends or open "S" hooks. Make sure children’s play areas have shock-absorbing surfaces; sand, mulch and shredded rubber are better options than grass or dirt.

What It IsApply water to your soil several times over a two-day period prior to aerating your lawn; keep the soil moist but not soggy. An aeration tool, such as a manual multi-pronged spike tool with a pushing apparatus, is usually more effective than aerator shoes with spikes on the end.