Many people enjoy gathering in the backyard with family and friends when it’s warm outside. Before you start planning a barbecue for the neighborhood, complete these summer home maintenance tasks to make your property more functional, safe, and attractive. Here are a few projects to tackle during the summer months.
Home Maintenance Tasks: Clean the Gutters
Summer storms can produce a high volume of water in a short period, and clogged or broken gutters may cause problems. Overflowing gutters allow rainwater beneath the roofing materials and don’t correctly divert it away from your home’s siding and foundation. Remove twigs, leaves, and other debris from your gutters before using the garden hose to flush the channels and check for leaks.
Pressure Wash Your Siding and Deck
A pressure washer removes grime and renews the look of your siding, walkways, decks, and patios. During your summer home maintenance routine, rent a pressure washer and purchase an appropriate cleaner for the surfaces you’ll be cleaning. Check the pressure setting and instructions carefully, as too much pressure will damage the surface. Pressure wash the patio, siding, shed, driveway, walkway, and backyard deck.
If you’re uncomfortable using this equipment, hire a professional to do it for you, as you can cause damage to your property with improper use.
Stain the Deck During Summer Home Maintenance
If you have a wooden deck, take time to paint or stain the decking materials. Wood stain prevents moisture from seeping into the boards and accelerating decay. Choose the right kind of paint or stain for the type of lumber. Secure any loose nails or screws, sand the deck’s surface to remove splinters, clean it, and apply the stain to dry deck boards.
Change the HVAC Filters
When filters become clogged with hair and dust, it forces the air conditioning system to work harder and negatively impacts indoor air quality. Change the HVAC filter once a month during periods of heavy usage, if you have pets, or if you or a family member suffers from allergies.
Sharpen Lawnmower Blades
Mowing the grass is an ongoing summer chore, but doing it with dull blades can be worse than not cutting the grass at all. Sharpen the mower blades at the start of the season to cut grass cleanly instead of tearing it. Most experts recommend sharpening the blades twice yearly to keep grass healthy and strong.
Guardian Home Inspection Services provides inspections to home buyers and sellers in Michigan. Contact us to request our services.