As the weather finally warms up and school lets out, we know summer is on its way.
While most families have a spring cleaning routine, many do not have an established summer maintenance care routine. However, the warm weather is the perfect time to start thinking about home repair projects and getting that home inspection you’ve been putting off.
If you plan to sell your home in the next year, then a pre-listing inspection and some routine maintenance will pay dividends.
Regardless if you plan to buy or sell a home, here are nine summer maintenance tips that will benefit your home.
- Inspect your deck and/or Patio
Wood decks typically require painting or staining every few years to prolong their life. Likewise, if your patio is concrete, it is important to look for any areas that may need to be sealed. If your patio happens to be brick, look for missing pieces or damaged ones so that they may be replaced.
Summer is the perfect time to tidy up that deck and fix any exterior defects that raise alarm bells on that inspection report.
- Check your fence
Your fence may not be an area you check often, but it requires some upkeep. If your fence is chain-linked, it is important to look for any broken parts, especially if you have pets. This can also help keep your furry friends out of harm’s way.
If your fence is made of wood, it is important to stain or paint it as often as you would a wood deck.
Vinyl fencing may require periodic tightening of the panels, especially if the ground around the posts has shifted.
- Inspect the grading around your home
When doing this you want to ensure that the pitch of the ground around your home’s foundation is sloping away from your home. This allows for water to be directed away from your home to lessen water damage. If you happen to notice any low areas, these can be fixed by adding top soil.
Ignoring your grading can lead to structural issues, including foundation cracks that invite moisture in.
- Check your gutters
If your gutters are clogged or damaged, this may lead to water issues inside your home.
First, you want to ensure that your gutters are not damaged and that they are all connected. Also, it is important to check your downspouts and make sure that they are taking water away from your home as far away as possible. To help with this, you can purchase inexpensive extensions.
Install leaf guards to prevent your gutters from clogging and winterize them to simplify cleanup, especially during the fall.
- Perform some landscaping
Mowing the lawn is probably already part of your summer chores, but taking care of all of your landscaping needs is essential. Trim back hedges, eliminate standing water, and get rid of any rotting wood or garbage in your yard that can serve as a shelter for pests.
- Inspect and clean siding
Power washing your siding is a great way to eliminate dirt and debris that can lead to mold and cosmetic defects. It will also help prevent ants and other pests from entering your walls.
As a final task, inspect your siding for any damage. Rust, splitting wood, or loose vinyl can be signs of a deeper problem that may require immediate repair.
- Inspect indoor hoses and pipes
Water is the enemy of any homeowner. Be sure to inspect all pipes and hoses, including washer hookups, for any leaks that could lead to mold and foundation damage.
- Eliminate pests wherever possible
Pest protection is a major concern for NEPA homeowners in the summer, especially as wood-destroying organisms like termites can wreak havoc on their homes. Keeping a clean home, landscaping, and cleaning up trash and debris will help limit the amount of
- Monitor humidity
Likewise, you’ll need to monitor humidity in the summer, especially in attics and basements where warm air struggles to circulate. Look for ways to increase ventilation with fans and dehumidifiers. Unchecked humidity will lead to mold and damage to different areas of your home.
We hope you found these four tips helpful as you prepare your home for summer. If you need help drafting a summer maintenance list, be sure to get an inspection performed to identify any serious issues that require immediate repair.