Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

By Shelley Frost

June 21, 2018

Before you hit the pool or fire up the grill, don't forget to handle a little summer home maintenance.

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Tackling your honey-do list in late spring or early summer helps you avoid sticky situations, and it lets you enjoy the rest of the summer with fewer repairs. Use this summer home maintenance checklist as a guide.

What Tasks Should Be on a Homeowner's Summer Home Maintenance Checklist?

Breaking down your summer home maintenance checklist by different areas can make it easier to manage. The following tasks are maintenance chores that prep your home for the summer months.

Plumbing Tasks

Your plumbing system works hard year-round, but it could benefit from a little maintenance before summer. While the threat of frozen pipes is over, your plumbing system could have other issues, such as leaks or clogged drains. Here are some maintenance tasks to consider:

Check interior hoses and water lines, such as your dishwasher and icemaker supply lines.
Look for leaks around sinks, toilets, tubs and appliances.
Clean out the garbage disposal.
Check your drains to make sure they're working properly.
Inspect the hose bib, hoses and other exterior plumbing components to look for damage from winter.
Reconnect exterior hoses.
Prep and test the sprinkler system.

Test your sump pump to make sure it's ready for summer storms. Check the battery backup and clear the drainpipe of any debris.

HVAC Tasks

Your HVAC unit gets a major workout in the summer months. Your AC likely runs frequently to keep your home comfortable. To avoid any unexpected air conditioning breakdowns, include these steps on your summer house maintenance checklist:

Change or clean the air filter. You typically need to change the filter every three months, but the type of filter could affect how often you change it. Homes with pets or lots of dust might require more frequent changes.
Schedule a tune-up. Having a pro inspect your system before the cooling season starts ensures all internal components are working correctly. It can also improve the system's efficiency, which lowers your utility bills.
Spray your exterior AC unit with a garden hose to clean off debris, and trim nearby vegetation.
Test your AC by turning it on and lowering the thermostat. Make sure it comes on and cools your home.
Check the airflow from your interior vents.

Interior Tasks

Your home maintenance checklist should include some other general indoor tasks to prep your home for summer. Include these tasks on the list:

Change the direction of ceiling fans to counterclockwise.
Inspect window and door screens.
Clean the insides of your windows and doors.
Look for gaps around doors and windows that could allow hot air or insects inside your home.
Check the weatherstripping around doors and windows.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries.
Clean your refrigerator coils.

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Exterior Tasks

The exterior of your home needs a little freshening as summer approaches. Cold temperatures, snow and ice during the winter months can cause damage to your home's exterior. Catching those issues early can prevent the problem from getting worse. Other tasks focus on prepping the space for outdoor use and improving your home's curb appeal. Consider these exterior tasks for your summer home maintenance checklist:

Power wash your siding, driveway, sidewalks and decks.
Touch up exterior paint that's chipped or missing.
Seal wood decks if necessary.
Inspect your roof and siding for signs of damage.
Look for cracks or other damage along the foundation.
Clean your gutters and downspouts.
Wash the exteriors of the windows and doors.
Check the caulking around your windows and doors and replace it if it's damaged.
Clean and arrange your outdoor patio furniture.
Inspect, clean and prep your grill or outdoor kitchen area.
Check and clean exterior vents, such as your dryer vent, to prevent dangerous blockages.
Look for damaged or loose boards on your fence.

Lawn and Landscaping Tasks

That luscious green lawn doesn't happen on its own. Tackling lawn and landscaping maintenance early in the season can give your vegetation a strong, healthy start. Here are some chores to add to your checklist:

Clear out your planting beds.
Rake your mulch and add fresh mulch if necessary.
Trim your landscaped areas and remove dead plants.
Service and prep your mower and landscaping tools.
Clear sticks and other debris from your lawn.
Remove weeds.
Check for pest infestations.
Inspect and clean any hardscaping, such as borders around planting beds and retaining walls.
Plan new flowers and plants you want to add to your landscaping.
Fertilize your lawn.
Aerate your lawn in late spring or early summer if you have warm-season grass, such as Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass.

Your summer home upkeep checklist could look different based on the type of home you have. Use this list as the foundation and customize it as needed to fit your situation.

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