If you only do five home care tasks in August, here are the ones that we recommend you do that will help you to save energy, improve indoor air quality, keep things safe, and looking nice.

CLOTHES DRYER: Annual Cleaning & Maintenance

One of the most important maintenance tasks that you can do for your home is to clean and inspect your dryer’s vent pipe. Lint build-up is one of the major causes of the over 15,000 dryer fires that occur annually, so you will want to be sure do this task at least once per year.

You can read our tips for improving the energy efficiency and ensuring the safety of your dryer in our article here: The Importance of Proper Dryer Care

LAWN: Summer fertilizer and insect control

August is a good month to apply summer fertilizer, and to apply insect control if needed. And to protect your lawn and personal and family safety, you can read our lawn mowing tips here: Lawn Mowing Tips

DRIVEWAY: Apply sealant

If you have an asphalt driveway, you should check it’s condition to see if it needs sealant. Routinely sealing your driveway will help prevent very small problems from turning into bigger problems, which are more expensive to repair.

MATTRESSES: Rotate Mattresses

August is also a good month to remember to flip or rotate the mattresses on your beds. Your mattresses will last a lot longer if you flip them every 6 months, and then 6 months later rotate them head to toe.

FIREPLACE: Check firewood supplies

And finally, if you have a fireplace or wood stove, August is a good time to check your firewood supplies. First you will want to check to be sure that you firewood is being properly stored away from your home, elevated off the ground, and covered on the top (but open on the sides). And if you find that your supply of firewood has gotten low, then you should consider lining up additional supplies now, before prices rise as we get closer to the winter.