Clean gutters. Inspect gutters to ensure all spikes, straps and clips are tightly fastened. Use a garden hose to flush debris from downspouts. Make sure downspouts or splashbacks direct water at least three feet away from the foundation.- Wash windows, inside and out, using a solution made from three tablespoons of non-sudsy ammonia to 1 gallon of water. Don’t work in the direct sun – the solution will dry too fast and streak. To clean windows with real (not removable) grills, use a hacksaw to
cut a squeegee so it fits the windowpanes exactly. - Have central air-conditioning unit checked according to the recommendations of the unit’s manufacturer. Replace the filter in the forced-air system. Clean debris from condenser or heat pump located outside.
- Remove mineral deposits from faucet aerators and shower heads by soaking parts in
white vinegar and scrubbing with an old toothbrush. - Have swimming pools cleaned. Inspect and service pool liners and filters.
- Shop for seasonal sales on air-conditioning units and window fans.
- Dust ceiling fan blades.
- Set thermostats and automatic sprinkler system to adjust for weather changes
- Before placing metal patio furniture outdoors, coat it with auto polish.
Houston May Weather Facts
Welcome to May! Don’t forget to get your mother something special for Mother’s Day this month!
Temperatures in May average 86 degrees for the high and 68 degrees for the low.
Houston’s record high for May is 98 degrees set in 1949 and the record low is degrees 44 set in 1978.
The average humidity for Houston in May averages at about 75%.
You can expect an average of 5.11 inches of rain this month.
Fun Fact: On May 24, 1607, the first permanent English settlement in America was established in Jamestown, VA.
Houston April Weather Facts
Happy Easter Month!
Temperatures in April average 79 degrees for the high and 61 degrees for the low.
Houston’s record high for April is 94 degrees set in 1948 and the record low is degrees 22 set in 1995.
The average humidity for Houston in April is between 50% and 100% and rarely drops below 26%.
You can expect an average of 3.60 inches of rain this month.
Fun Fact: Some believe that April was named after the goddess Aphrodite.
April Home Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent
frames. - Check screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent
frames. Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a pair of sawhorses
and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a
garden hose and allow to dry thoroughly. - Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration – especially signs of rot. Use a small awl to
probe posts, railings and window sills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or
repair them when the weather turns fair. - Prepare for the outdoor cooking season by inspecting gas grills. Remove cooking grills
and thoroughly clean them with soapy water and a brush with brass bristles. Remove
accumulated grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them over and
igniting the burners. Allow 10 minutes on high heat to clean the briquettes. - Inspect garden hoses for leaks. Make temporary repairs with electrical tape. Pry out old
washers and replace them. Don’t leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots until the
danger of frost is completely over. - Caulk open joints, particularly around windows and doors.
- Inspect the crawl space or basement after rains for water accumulation or excessive
moisture. Look for signs of water damage on the subfloor and joists beneath bathrooms,
the kitchen and laundry. Find and fix leaks now or pay the price later. - Shut off the water to the washing machine, remove the water supply hoses and
examine them and the washers. Replace worn and damaged ones. - Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are not outdated, have lost pressure or are
damaged. - Check all weather stripping around doors and windows for wear, damage or loss of
flexibility. Replace material that is no longer blocking air. - Clean your garbage disposal. Grind two trays of ice cubes made from a mixture of one
cup white vinegar to one gallon of water.
Tips for your AC
Spring is here and summer is on the way and that means you will want to keep nice and cool, right? Well if you are in the market for a new AC just know that buying a bigger AC doesn’t always mean you will be cooler. Getting a large AC to cool a smaller area won’t do it as efficiently as a smaller AC designed for the smaller areas. The reason for this is the larger AC will cool to the thermostat’s set point before the dehumidification can occur. Central AC units need to be sized by a professional.
Cooling tips:
- Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The smaller the difference between the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature the less your energy bill will be.
- Try not to set the temperature lower than normal, it will not cool faster it will only work harder and cause unnecessary energy usage.
- If you are using a window AC unit, consider a fan to go along with it to help circulate the cool air.
- Avoid placing things that produce heat near AC units
- If you are using an old AC unit consider replacing it with a more efficient Energy Star certified one, they can be up to 15% more efficient than other models.