SUMMER MAINTENANCE

Excited for the upcoming summer season, but realizing your house isn't ready to be shown off in the sun yet? It's too easy in the winter months to let the leaves collect in the gutters, leave the dried flowers in the flower beds and sit cozy by the fireplace instead. But since the warm weather is back, why not tackle a few chores to get your house summer-ready? Here are 5 summer home maintenance tips to help you get your house in tip top shape for the summer:

1. Inspect Gutters

A few of our tips here are going to involve inspecting parts of your home's structure that may have decayed a bit during the winds and rains experienced in winter time. You'll want to start off by taking a good look at your gutters. This will include looking in some hidden nooks and crannies, so use a telescoping mirror if you can't easily see any gutter elements. Severe rain, hail, and even wind can bend or crack your gutters. Damaged gutters can lead to improper drainage, causing water to leak into your basement crawl space and create an ideal environment for mold and bacteria to grow. If you find your gutters damaged, be sure to get it fixed right away or you may be smelling fungus instead of flowers this summer!

telescoping mirror

2. Replace Soil

Some homes are more prone to water damage than others, but any yard is prone to damage because of rain and water. Rain can carry off the layer of soil, which could lead to potential flooding of your home's foundation. Small pools of water left behind are also a prime destination for hordes of ugly insects (including those pesky mosquitos!). Try replacing the lost soil with compact soil to protect your home from water damage and pests. If you have a green thumb, you may even want to go a step further and use a 4-in-1 soil condition meter to test your new compact soil. Achieving optimal levels of pH, temperature, moisture, and sun intensity will help in cultivating a beautiful landscape.

 

4 in 1 soil condition meter

3. Repair Concrete

There are many homeowners who don't think to upkeep their concrete steps or patio. However, neglecting concrete causes it to decay and crack. In addition to not looking good, a crack could lead to water leaking into your foundation, potentially leading to a bigger and much more costly problem. The best solution would be to use concrete crack filler to fill in any cracks on your property, use a power washer on the exterior slabs, then seal the concrete.

These steps will make a tremendous difference in the look and appearance of your home, and will provide added piece of mind that you are now better protected against water damage.

4. Examine the Roof

Take a look at your roof to see if it has been damaged at all by the wind, snow, hail, and/or rain from the past season, especially if your roof is shingled. Shingles have a tendency to fall off and blow away during inclement weather, which could have left your home open for structural damage (especially water damage - check for leaks!)

utility knife

However, even if you don't find any significant damage missing or broken shingles, a roof in disrepair can be the source of major problems down the road if left unattended (and at the very least, an eyesore). If you want to keep your home structurally maintained and aesthetically pleasing, then you'll want to inspect roof and make sure that it has survived the winter without any huge issues. If there are any damaged spots, use a flat bar to pry up the compromised shingle(s) and a utility knife to remove the affected area (or entire shingle, if need be) so you and your roof can enjoy the summer.

5. Take Care of any Wood

screwdriver

Finally, rain can really do a number on your woodwork. Use an instrument like a screw driver and penetrate the wood to see if the winter rain has done any real damage that might deteriorate the structure of your home or any important fixtures (a moisture meter may also be helpful). If you find damage, you'll want to get it fixed right away. Remember, in many places it rains plenty during the spring as well. You'll want to get it fixed so that any damage that currently exists is not compounded by spring rain.