10 Tips to Get Your Home Summer Ready

Spring is here and the time is right to get your home ready and refreshed for summer! Winters are harsh on all things interior and exterior and it's important to assess and address any damage that may have been done during the colder months. Here's a list of things to do to get your home refreshed and ready for summer!

1. Examine your Roof

• Winter weather can be hard on roofs - and a ravaged roof can lead to major water damage.
• Check for any missing or warped shingles or other signs of damage or structural loss.
• Don't forget to clean out your gutters - leaves and other blockages can result in water build-up and become attractive spots for pests and other animals.

2. Check your Caulking

• Examine all caulking around windows, doors, and utilities. When properly applied, caulking works to keep the exterior elements, such as rainwater, from entering your home.
• Damaged caulking can also allow bugs and other pests easy entry and can lead to heating or cooling energy loss.

3. Inspect Air-conditioning Systems

• It's important to prepare any AC systems for their busiest season! Remove and clean the filters before turning your AC on. If you have central air-conditioning, consider professional servicing.
• Clean all ceiling fans and other fans in your house with a damp rag. If you have high ceilings, a ceiling-fan duster can help you de-grime hard-to-reach blades.

4. Review Decks & Patios

• Look over your deck for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking up. If you have a patio, look for any weather damage and clean or repair materials as needed.
• Check to see if your deck or patio needs sealing by sprinkling it with water. If the water beads, your sealing is in good shape. If not, it’s time to reseal it! This is a great test to do on any wood fences, too.

5. Wash Windows & Repair Screens

• Winter weather leaves a lot of residue on glass. Clean all windows thoroughly - both inside and out - to make sure you can see those summer skies clearly!
• Check screens for any holes or tears - they're easy and inexpensive to fix and repair kits are carried at most hardware stores. This will help keep those bugs at bay!

6. Power Wash

• It's important to give your home an exterior wash and strip away build-up from winter weather, salt and spring pollen. Pressure washers can be rented at most hardware stores and are a cost-effective and fun way to give your home an instant facelift!
• Pressure washing helps you to freshen up and preserve your home's appearance. Porches, driveways and walkways also benefit from a good wash.

7. Clean the Garage

• Get rid of items that may have piled up over the winter. It's easy to stow away things that we do not often use in the garage - out of sight out of mind - now is the time to get things organized!
• Install shelving or hooks to hang bikes and other large objects and free up floor space.

8. Touch up your Exterior

• Check for any exterior areas that may need paint touch-ups. A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive and easy way to give your home a facelift for the sunnier months.
• Spring is also the ideal time to repair or replace any siding that has rotted or suffered damage from the winter weather.

9. Aerate and Fertilize your Lawn

• Just like gardens, lawns need care and attention after the winter months.
• Aerating, and then immediately fertilizing your lawn will allow for air, water and nutrients to enter the ground and promote healthy growth.
• Aerating equipment can be rented from most lawn and garden stores, or if you'd prefer, a professional lawn service would be happy to do the job.

10. Mulch your Garden

• Mulch helps to protect your garden from pests and weeds and supports water retention.
• Make sure that your garden is prepped for mulch by removing any weeds, and be sure to lay 2-4 inches for best prevention against future weed growth.

If you didn't already know, we have a fantastic network of qualified professionals we work with and stand behind for all of these and other home maintenance items! Reach out to us for more info by emailing us or calling 802.488.3487.