Summer is perhaps the most comfortable and convenient season for home maintenance. First of all, it is much more pleasant to spice up your home and area around it, anticipating these long summer evenings by the fire pit or cookout parties in your backyard rather than preparing it for winter sleep. Secondly, it is just much easier to stay on task in warm weather.
A lot of things may need maintenance in your house, from your roof’s EPDM membrane, to the loose lay vinyl flooring. If you are interested in getting your house ready for the summertime, this home maintenance checklist is for you! Below, you will find eight tips, ranging from inspecting the roof, repainting fences, and repairing window screens to sealing the driveway, cleaning the gutters, and deep-washing the house facade, among other things. Let’s begin!
Wash Your Windows Inside and Out
Beside the fact that windows let in a lot of heat, they also reflect it back to the interior of your home. To get rid of the “foggy” effect on windows, wash them with vinegar and water mix or with a window cleaner. Vinegar will remove the residue of dust, dirt, grease, and pollutants that accumulate on the windows over time, while the latter will give them a shine. You can also use newspaper to wipe off the dirt from the windowsills.
Clean the Gutters
Summer is the perfect time to clean the gutters above your roof. The gutters are a great shelter for bats, mice, insects, spiders, and any other creatures that might want to set up a nest in your home. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, it is best to keep these areas spotless all year round. Just make sure you do not use any harsh chemicals for cleaning because these may damage your roof shingles. Instead, use a mild soap and warm water.
Inspect the Exterior Paint Job
If you have just painted your house or you did so a few years ago, it is important to inspect it in the summer. There is nothing more unpleasant than finding out that your paint job is damaged by moisture or heat. To avoid this, look for peeling paint, cracking in the paint or blisters (which indicate that moisture has gotten into your siding), broken or missing caulking around windows and doors, cracks, and dents in wood siding, etc. If you find anything suspicious, fix it immediately, lest you end up with mold growth and water damage in the future.
Check the Nooks and Crannies for Evidence of Pest Infestation
Summertime pests are likely to be more active than usual due to heat and moisture. If you notice an increase in bugs such as ants, beetles, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests around your home, it is best to prevent an infestation before it even starts by sealing small holes where they may enter your home. Use caulk and metal mesh to block the openings and gaps around pipes and wires coming from the basement or crawl space. These pests love cracks and crevices so make sure you check them thoroughly for evidence of an infestation. Moreover, try leaving the doors and windows cracked open at night so that when they enter your home they will quickly try to find their way out again instead of hiding somewhere and multiplying in number.
Get Rid of the Spider Webs on the Exterior Walls
Spider webs are unsightly but they are also quite dangerous because they may contain harmful parasites or pesticides that have been sprayed near your home. Therefore, pay extra attention when removing them from your exterior walls or fences because these substances can be transferred to your skin if they get on your hands during the cleaning process. To avoid this, wear protective gloves while doing this task and then thoroughly wash your hands afterward. Alternatively, you can use sticky glue traps to catch spiders and their webs instead of removing them manually.
Inspect the Roof for Signs of Leakages or Damage
If you live in a rainy area, a thorough inspection of your roofing system is quite important in summer because it will help you determine whether there are any leaks or damage in the roof that needs fixing now or later on when there won’t be much rain at all. To start with the inspection, place a bucket below each roof vent pipe (they are usually located right above each room) for 24 hours or until the water has run out. This will help you determine whether there are any leaks above your rooms. If there is a leaky vent pipe, seal it using duct tape or replace it altogether with a new one.
Repair Window Screens
Your window screens should always be in good condition because they help keep insects out while letting fresh air in. If they are torn or damaged in any way, repair them immediately so that no insects can get into your home through them during the summer months. It is easy to do repair work yourself; just buy a new screen mesh from a local store and follow instructions on how to fix it on YouTube videos that are easily available online. Alternatively, you can ask a specialist to come to your house and fix them for you if you are not confident enough about doing it yourself or simply do not have time for it due to other pressing duties this summer.
Highlight Safety Features, Such as Escape Ladders and First Aid Kits
Summertime is usually associated with accidents such as fires and falls from tall heights (e.g., balconies). Therefore, it is best to highlight all safety features in your home such as first aid kits hidden high above kitchen cabinets or fire escape ladders for upper floors hidden behind closet doors. This way you can quickly access them if an emergency occurs and thus save precious time when seconds count!
The Bottom Line
The summer is the best time to get around to doing all of those home maintenance tasks that you’ve been putting off for the entire year. Hopefully, this article will help you set your priorities straight, and allow you to structure the work so that you don’t feel pressured or stressed out about your work. Remember: do not rush anything, as hurried maintenance work may be even more dangerous than neglected structures.