Home maintenance: Summer checklist

Summer’s heat and dry weather can be tough on your home.  A little home maintenance can go a long way to keep your house in good repair.  Follow this checklist to stay on top of your home maintenance during the summer.

Outside
There are many home maintenance projects that you can do in the summer to keep the exterior of your home and your yard looking great. 

• Trim back any trees or shrubs that have grown too close to the house. This not only prevents damage from tree limbs but helps with safety, too, by eliminating any blind spots.
• Make sure no water pools or collects anywhere in your yard.  Stagnant water is a breeding area for mosquitoes.  There will be enough mosquitoes about during the summer without providing them a place to multiply.
• Maintain your deck or patio.  Thoroughly clean and scrub your deck or patio and apply a deck sealer the next day. You will need sunny, dry weather for this home maintenance task.
• Wash the exterior of your house using a garden hose.  A pressure washer can actually cause damage unless used by a professional.  An attachment on your water hose should be sufficient.  You can even buy an attachment that allows you to add a mild detergent to aid in washing your siding.
• Repair any cracks in the driveway or sidewalk with a concrete caulk for small cracks or a concrete patch for larger ones.
• Take care of your swimming pool.  Have it ready for the season and maintain it throughout the summer.

Inside
Don’t neglect the inside of your home. Here are some summer home maintenance projects.

• Service your air conditioner.  If you have not done so already, have the biannual service done by a professional.  Also, change out all of your air filters.
• Check the windows and doors.  The weather stripping may need some maintenance.  Cold air can escape through any cracks here.  Caulk around the doors and windows as needed as part of your home maintenance.
• Thoroughly clean the dryer lint.  Clean the lint trap as well as the exterior vent cap.  It needs to be clear to allow air to not be trapped.  It can actually result in carbon monoxide backing up into your house.
• Clean the icemaker.  You are going to need a lot of ice-cold drinks with the summer heat, so make sure that your icemaker is up to the task.
• Before you go on vacation, check your home’s security.  This is an important part of home maintenance that involves the interior as well as the exterior of your home.  You want your yard well-lit and your home easy to see. (With the trees and shrubs trimmed, it should be.)  Make sure all the locks work well on the windows and doors.  Test your alarm system.  Cancel the paper and mail or have a neighbor pick them up for you when you travel.  Leave a few lights on or better yet, have them on a timer.

A few hours of home maintenance can help improve the condition of your home and head off any potential problems.  A little preventative maintenance can save you lots of money in pricey repairs.