August maintenance for a hot-humid climate
Long cooling season, heavy humidity and the Atlantic hurricane season set the calendar: drains, dehumidifying and storm prep.
6 tasks this month. The median typical first freeze across the region’s counties is Nov 21 and the last is Mar 7; your county can differ by weeks.
August6 tasks
- This monthPress the test button on every smoke and CO alarm.
An alarm you have not heard in months may have a dead battery or sensor. NFPA recommends testing smoke alarms at least once a month.
How
Hold the test button until it sounds. Anything silent or chirping: replace the battery, or the whole alarm if it is past its date.
- This monthLook under every sink and around toilets and the water heater for drips.
Slow leaks rot cabinets and subfloors long before they show. Catching one early is a washer, not a floor.
How
Use a flashlight: feel supply lines and the shutoff valves, look for stains, warped cabinet floors or a toilet that rocks.
- This monthKeep indoor humidity below 60% (a cheap hygrometer tells you).
EPA advises keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally 30 to 50%, to limit mold growth.
How
Run the AC or a dehumidifier in the basement or crawlspace; empty or drain the dehumidifier and clean its filter.
- WatchVacuum the refrigerator condenser coils.
Dusty coils make the compressor run longer and hotter, especially in summer.
How
Unplug the fridge, remove the bottom grille (or pull it out to reach rear coils) and vacuum with a brush attachment.
- WatchCheck closets and the backs of furniture on outside walls for mold or musty smell.
In long humid seasons, still air in closets and behind furniture lets mold start unseen.
How
Pull furniture an inch off outside walls and leave closet doors open on humid days. Fix the moisture source before cleaning.
- WatchClean mildew and moss from decks, siding and walkways.
Mildew holds moisture against wood and makes decks slippery when the rains return.
How
Use a deck or siding cleaner and a soft brush; low pressure only on siding.