Gayle Stellas
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May
23
23
How to Get Your Chicagoland Home Ready for Summer
Are you ready for summer in Chicagoland? It's the season of street fairs and farmers markets, and days spent beachside along the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline. For Chicago homeowners, the months leading up to summer also offer an opportunity to prepare for the season ahead. Our real estate agents are here to share five helpful tips for getting your home summer-ready!
- Wash your walkway and driveway.
Chances are, there's a lot of dirt, plant matter, and other assorted grime and debris all over your driveway and walkway from the colder months. As summer approaches, it's time for a cleanup. If there's a lot of loose material, start by sweeping it up with a push broom and dustpan (resist the urge to use your leaf-blower to avoid raising a major dust cloud). Then use a power washer to spray down hard surfaces to break up and wash away solidified dirt and grime. Lastly, look for any broken or damaged bricks or pavers, and replace as needed. For concrete walkways, check to see if the filler between each section needs to be repaired. - Tidy up your garden beds.
The growing season is upon us, so pick a sunny day and dedicate some time to prepping flower and vegetable garden beds for the season. Till the top inch or two of soil in flower beds if it's tightly packed (be careful not to disturb bulbs below), and add a layer of mulch on top. For vegetable beds, spring is a good time to loosen the soil and add fertilizer before planting crops. Consider these eco-friendly garden ideas as well. - Prep and clean your windows.
Is window cleaning anyone's favorite chore? Probably not, but you'll enjoy a deep sense of satisfaction as you watch them sparkle afterward. Before you get into actual window washing, check each of your home's windows to make sure they open and close smoothly, and that all the locks and hardware are working. Caulk any gaps in the framing, and let the caulk dry fully. Now it's time to get washing. In a bucket, mix a gallon of warm water with a cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and you'll have just about the best window cleaning solution there is. This is a budget-friendly task to get your home ready for the season! - Fill in patchy grass.
Does your lawn have some bare patches after a hard winter and spring? Now is a great time to fill it in. Get a beautiful summer lawn and start by removing dead plant matter and using a rake to de-thatch patchy spots. Ask at your local garden center if you need grass seed for specific conditions, like shady or high-traffic areas. - Check and clean your HVAC.
This is the season when most of us switch from heating to cooling, so it's a good opportunity to make sure your HVAC is up to par. Start the cooling season by replacing the filters and cleaning the vents. If you use window AC units, pull them out of mothballs and make sure they're clean and ready to run. If your home has central air, and your system hasn't been professionally cleaned and inspected in the last couple of seasons, now is a good time for that too. Having your HVAC professionally serviced can improve its efficiency and extend its lifespan significantly.
Contact us today to learn more about enjoying summer in Chicagoland. If you're still looking for your dream home, our real estate agents are here to help you find it in any of Chicago's unique neighborhoods.
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