How to Get Your Home Ready for Summer
20 Must-Do Chores to Protect Your Investment
Summer is more than outdoor adventures, BBQs, and pool days. It’s also the time to take care of some critical maintenance around the house. And if you’re anything like us, you’re not exactly looking forward to it.
But never fear! This blog has everything you need—from cleaning motivation to the tasks you need to complete come the first week of summer.
The Importance of Regular Home Maintenance
If you need a little motivation, thinking about the why of it all can help. And home maintenance has a lot of whys, especially around the changing of the seasons.
#1 It saves precious moolah.
Home repairs aren’t cheap. But home maintenance is. Regularly checking in on your home—and making repairs as you go—can save you tons of cash in the long run.
For example, replacing a faulty HVAC can cost upwards of $10,000. But getting an annual check-up will cost only a fraction of that and could prevent some unnecessary overhauls. By keeping your home in good shape all year round, you avoid costly issues in the future.
#2 It keeps you comfortable all year round.
Home repairs generally come at the most inconvenient times. Liiiike, you’re in the middle of winter and it’s 20 below? Broken furnace. Have a terrible day and just really need a hot shower? Cranky water heater. By keeping up with your home’s appliances and fixtures, you keep your home livable, safe, and oh-so-comfy for the whole family.
#3 It extends the life of your appliances.
Dishwashers, fridges, and washing machines come with hefty price tags. By doing some simple upkeep and routine maintenance, you can prolong the life of your appliances and prevent pricey replacements. Your wallet will thank you!
#4 It improves your market value.
Chances are you’re going to sell your home at some point. And when you do, potential buyers will notice all the time you spent—or didn’t spend—on home maintenance. Talk about airing your dirty laundry!
How often you clean your gutters and power wash your siding could make or break your dream offer. So, play it safe now, rather than be really sorry later!
#5 It keeps the planet healthy.
Leaks, drafts, and faulty HVACs are hell for the environment. From wasted water to rising energy costs, ignoring home maintenance is an environmental no-no. Instead, keep your home well-maintained throughout the year and keep Mama Earth happy and healthy in return!
#6 It prepares you for weather changes.
As spring turns to summer, some unfortunate things follow—miserable heat, bugs on bugs, and terrible humidity. As the seasons change, check in with your home to make sure it’s summer-ready!
Our Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Let’s tackle this together! Here’s our ultimate summer home maintenance checklist.
(Pssst! If you overlooked our spring maintenance checklist, you’re missing out on some important stuff. Some of these tasks are repeated here, but some are exclusive to springtime. Check them out here and add whatever you skipped to your summer list!)
Inspect the exterior for damage, like loose or rotting siding.
Check your outdoor play equipment.
Take a look at your fencing and repair and repaint as needed.
Check brick tuckpointing and your foundation for any leaks or cracks.
Refill cracks in cement walkways and driveways.
Power wash and reseal your deck to prep for backyard parties.
Scrub your lawn furniture.
Clean out gutters and downspouts.
Spray your lawn for bugs.
Beautify your yard: remove dead trees, weed, trim, lay mulch, and so on.
Prep your grill for incredible summer BBQs.
Check windows for leaks and recaulk as needed.
Wash windows, inside and out.
Reverse your ceiling fans (and clean ‘em while you’re at it) .
Clean out faucet traps.
Scrub your garbage disposal and dishwasher.
Suck out all the lint from your dryer vent and exhaust duct.
Check fire extinguishers.
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Double-check your HVAC system and change the filter.
Get a leg up on next year.
Next summer, what if you had this list printed, laminated, hole punched, and ready to go? Say goodbye to searching and scrounging for your maintenance lists, contractor contacts, and appliance manuals.
A binder is the best way to stay organized and keep all your homeownership stuff at your fingertips when you need them most. And we’d love to give you one!
Fill out your contact information below and we’ll be in touch to get a prepped binder to you.