Summertime Maintenance for Homeowners
For a homeowner, seasonal maintenance is crucial for maintaining not only a peaceful living environment but the longevity of the home as well. Here is a list of summertime maintenance items to tackle before Summer’s over!
Repair and repaint any chipped, cracking, or faded exterior paint.
Besides improving your home’s curb appeal, it will also help protect it from the elements. Summer is a great time to accomplish this task when the days are dryer and longer.
Inspect your house exterior for loose or rotted siding.
Not only is molded and rotted siding an eye sore, but it can also cause further damage that will shorten the lifespan of your home. Routine cleaning of siding will help get rid of any dust, dirt, tree sap, bird droppings, etc., that leave your home looking less than its best.
Wash windows inside and out, and replace window screens.
Washing your windows won't make too much of a difference unless you wash your window screens or purchase new ones. This will allow for more natural light to illuminate your home and increase the longevity of your windows. Remove your window screens and gently scrub with hot soapy water. You should also examine your windows and doors to ensure they seal properly to conserve energy.
Clean out gutters and downspouts.
Summer storms and high winds can deposit debris in your gutters. Even though this is generally considered a job for Spring and Fall, we also recommend it in Summer.
Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct.
Without some maintenance, clogged lint and dust in your dryer vents could cause a house fire.
Inspect fencing.
Reinforce, re-stain, reseal or repaint as needed.
Refill cracks on cement walkway or driveway.
Concrete is strong, but it can be easily damaged by standing water and freezing water that seeps in through the cracks.
Power Wash Your Driveway and Sidewalks.
Inspecting and cleaning your driveway and sidewalks is a great place to start with summer home maintenance. Using a pressure washer can make this task much easier and will deliver great results. It's important to inspect for cracks and weeds before washing away all the dirt and grime built up over time.
Prevent Bug Breeding Grounds.
A quick spray of organic outdoor bug spray around the perimeter of your home should keep insect activity to a minimum. This will help ensure you're able to relax in your yard rather than seek shelter from insects. Caulking your windows and doors will also help prevent bugs from infiltrating your home.
Prep Your Grill for Backyard BBQs.
Clean and test your grill so that you can be confident it is ready to take on all the grilling adventures of the summer. If you have a gas grill, heat it up for about 20-30 minutes and then scrub the grates clean with a grill brush. For a charcoal grill, grab a bucket of hot, soapy water and clean with a sponge.
Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
Replace old batteries and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are operating properly.
Clean the Garbage Disposal and Dishwasher.
While this task isn't specific to summer, it is important to stay on top of cleaning your dishwasher and garbage disposal every once and a while. To clean your dishwasher, add 2 cups of vinegar to the bottom of the machine and run the machine on low. You can clean out your garbage disposal by flushing it with hot water and some dish soap.
Wipe Down and Clean Baseboards.
It's easy to forget about keeping up with the cleaning of baseboards, but it's something you'll want to take care of at least once a year during a deep clean. Just run a damp cloth along the baseboard to get it clean.
