You’ve finished spring cleaning and the house is in great shape. Now that the weather is warm, set aside some time for upkeep around your property. Here are a few summertime home maintenance tasks to help you keep your home comfortable and safe.
Summertime Home Maintenance Should Include Your Deck
The deck is a perfect place to enjoy a nice summer evening, so it’s important to keep it safe and well-maintained. This summer, examine your deck by looking for any loose fasteners and pickets, warped or cracked boards, termites and other wood-destroying insects, and mold growth.
Secure or replace any loose components, replace damaged boards, and treat the area if you notice termites. Pressure-wash the deck, sand down any rough patches, and reseal it to help protect your decking from the elements.
Clean the Grill
Warmer weather also inspires more outdoor gatherings. Before your first cookout, clean the grill. Not only will your food taste better, but your grill will also be safer and cook food more evenly. Scrub the grates to remove any grease or food particles from last year’s cookout. If you use a gas grill, check the hoses for cracks or leaks. Clean the outside of the grill and empty any crumb drip pans.
Clear Out the Gutters
Clean guttering is important to home maintenance. Gutters move the water from summer storms off of the roof and away from your home’s siding and foundation. Inspect the gutters and spend a day cleaning them thoroughly.
You’ll need a ladder, a friend or family member around for safety, sturdy gloves, and a gutter scoop or hand shovel. Remove debris from the gutters and then rinse them with the garden hose to make sure water can flow freely through the gutters and out the downspouts. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional to clean the gutters for you.
Add Mulch
Mulch helps your plants retain moisture and protects them from the heat of the sun. Add a new layer of mulch to protect flowers and around newly planted trees and shrubs. Mulch improves curb appeal, keeps weeds under control, and helps the soil stay moist, which is important for keeping your plants healthy during the heat of summer.
A Mudroom Helps with Summertime Home Maintenance
You’ll likely have a lot of traffic in and out of the house during the summer, especially if you have children and pets. If you have space near an entry, make a mudroom to help keep dirt from being tracked through the house and so that you have storage for shoes, rain jackets, and hats.
Even if you don’t have space for a full mudroom, you can designate a transition space between the outdoors and inside. Use a shelf, cabinet, or custom-designed mudroom bench as a place to store belongings. Install hooks for jackets, hats, and car keys. Use baskets to collect shoes.
Beyond the Bricks Home Inspection offers home inspection services to customers in the Austin area. Contact us to request an appointment.