Summer Maintenance 

Summer Maintenance Checklist
By Jessi Moyle

Home maintenance is a year-round job that extends to all outdoor living spaces and property. Decks, porches, patios, terraces and yards deserve the same care and attention that indoor living spaces require. Warm months are the perfect time for outdoor tasks that preserve the value of a home, prevent costly repairs, and create a pleasant environment for summer fun, dining and relaxation.

INDOOR MAINTENANCE


AC Window Units

Take out of storage and place in window, or remove protective winter cover; caulk or install weather stripping where needed; install new filter


Clothes Dryer

Vacuum vent and hose to remove compacted lint.


Furnace

Replace filter.

Safety

Test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; change batteries.



OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

AC Compressor

Clean debris and hose down; call serviceman to check coolant level, fan and motor, lubricate if needed.


Awnings

Spray with hose, clean with mild soap.

Crawl Spaces

Check with flashlight for moisture and termites.

Driveway/Walks

Check for damage and repair cracks or loose bricks.

Deck

Remove debris between boards, scrub with soap and water; scrub mildew and fungus with bleach; check for any exposed wood surfaces, which should be re-stained or painted; use deck brightener (oxalic acid) to lighten dingy, gray wood; check for wobbly nails and replace with galvanized screws; replace splintered or warped boards; if water no longer beads on surface, waterproof using sealer with UV protector.

Furniture

Take out of storage or remove weatherproof tarps; scrub with mild soap and water; inspect for mildew and treat with oxygenated bleach.

Garage Door

Test and lubricate hinges, rollers and track.

Gutters

Inspect after April Showers for sagging and loose downspout connections and make necessary repairs; remove any spring seedlings or debris.

Patio/Porch

Check for cracks and loose bricks, repair; sweep cobwebs and debris from walls and ceilings and wash with soap and water; refresh wooden floors and steps with specially formulated paint.

Railings

Check screws, remove rust and paint where needed.

Screens/Storms

Remove storm windows and store; check screens for holes, repair where needed; scrub both mesh and frame with soap and water, and install.

Siding/Trim

Clean with hose, scrub any mildew or grime with oxygen bleach; check for peeling paint and repair.


Swimming Pool
Tighten diving board and slide bolts, secure bases to concrete; tighten all screws on grates, drains and handrails; check for sharp edges; repair holes in fencing, lubricate locks; check pool cover for damage, properly anchor, remove standing water regularly; keep rescue equipment near pool, repaint depth markings if needed.

Windows & Doors

Inspect weather-stripping; replace if needed to reduce AC costs; wash windows; spray silicone on patio door tracks and window sashes.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Bird Feeders/Bath

Keep filled and maintained, clean periodically to remove stale water, seed husks.

Flowers/Lawn

Weed, deadhead, and water regularly; apply summer fertilizer and bug control.


Trees/Shrubs

Trim broken branches, cut back from house to reduce damage from wind and summer storms.

Vines

Remove any growing on the house, siding, brick or mortar.

Visit our Home Maintenance tips on HomeFacts.com.

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