Stop believing these summer maintenance myths

Your air conditioning unit isn’t ready to roll from season to season without proper tune-ups and maintenance. You should clear out dirt and debris, check the coolant level and replace the fan filter, as well as inspect the outside for any damage from the elements.

It’s also important to continue checking the unit throughout the season, especially after storms or high winds, to make sure your coils and fins stay clear.

Here are 11 ways you’re shortening the life of your air conditioner.

There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right height to cut your grass. However, choosing a lower height doesn’t mean you’ll mow less frequently. Cutting grass too short can damage the soil, the grass blades and the mower itself. Short grass also won’t block the sun properly, which can dry out the soil and create dead patches.

Learn 12 things you should never do to your lawn

Some lawns need more watering, others less; there’s no “one size fits all” approach. However, there are some general rules to follow to keep your grass green and lush. Instead of watering every day for 15 minutes, water once a week for an hour. That ensures moisture reaches deep into the root system, producing a healthier, more drought-tolerant lawn.

The best time to water grass is actually between 6am and 10am, not the evening. Watering in the morning before the heat of the day allows most of the moisture to soak in, instead of evaporating. If you water just before sunset or in the evening, too many droplets cling to the grass blades overnight, which can cause harmful fungi to form.

Follow these 6 tips to grow greener grass.

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Yes, some projects like pouring concrete, exterior painting, installing windows and more can be negatively impacted by excessive humidity.

Here are the 12 most common mistakes when pouring concrete.

Brown grass probably isn’t dead grass: it’s just dormant. Some grasses will go dormant during periods of excessive heat but will return to normal as temperatures lower.

Watering with a hose is far less effective than with a sprinkler system, and often does an inefficient job. A modern irrigation system will actually help to conserve more water because it works more efficiently.

Learn how to install a drip-line watering system.

While window replacements will certainly help drive down energy costs, replacements are expensive and not the best bang for your buck. Roof insulation is one option to lower energy bills while driving huge value back into your home.

We show you insulation made easy.

Gutter maintenance and inspections are important year-round, not just in autumn. Debris can clog gutters any time, so it’s important to continue to clean them as needed. A good time to check gutters is after a storm.

Learn how to clean gutters quickly and effectively.

There are right and wrong times to add pool cleaning chemicals. It’s important to add them after sunset, otherwise UV rays can reduce the effectiveness of certain chemicals.

Read more about essential pool care.