The summer home maintenance checklist every homeowner needs
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated May 31, 2022
Last updated May 31, 2022
Enduring the elements throughout the winter and spring can take a toll on your home. When summer rolls around, it’s time to address any repairs that the wilder weather may have visited upon your dwelling — and tackle critical maintenance tasks that will protect your home and save you money down the road.
A summer maintenance checklist will help you maintain your home’s value over time, boost its curb appeal and protect it from the upcoming fall weather. Not to mention that regular maintenance will make your home comfortable during those hot summer days when you’re forced to stay inside to keep cool.
Exterior tasks to put on your summer maintenance checklist
Wondering which tasks to tackle this summer? Here’s a list of the best summer home maintenance tips, starting with a few you can handle outside the home.
1. Pressure wash your home’s exterior, driveway and sidewalks
Pressure washing — also called power washing — removes grime that has built up over the past year. If your home’s siding is painted, it may also remove peeling paint, which can be a sign that your siding needs a new coat anyway.
Summer and spring are the best times of year to pressure wash your home’s exterior because of the weather. Choose a day when it’s warm enough to work comfortably, but not so hot that it becomes uncomfortable or dangerous.
Who to hire: You can DIY this summer home maintenance task, but if you’re not comfortable using a pressure washer or your PSI (pounds per square inch) is too high, you could damage your siding and other outdoor structures. Consider hiring a pro for this job.
2. Paint your house
Every couple of years, you should repaint your home’s exterior and take care of touch-ups as needed. This summer, check your siding and exterior to identify any areas that need touching up, or start planning a full paint job if needed.
Avoid painting your home if it’s extremely hot outside. You don’t want the paint to dry too quickly. If it does, it may not bind or adhere properly, which can make it more likely to crack or peel later. If the weather is generally too hot or rainy this summer, wait until early fall.
Who to hire: You may be able to do touch-ups on your own, but if you need your entire house repainted, hire an exterior painter near you.
3. Repair and paint your fence
If you have a fence, whether decorative or functional, summer is a good time to make repairs and paint it. The weather should be dry and warm enough for fresh paint to cure properly.
Before you paint, inspect your fence for issues like cracked or splintering wood, loose rails and loose fence posts. Once the repairs are done, use a pressure washer to clean the fence and remove flaking paint. Then repaint it in a shade of your choice.
Who to hire: If you’re handy, feel free to take this on as a DIY project — or you can always find an experienced fence painter or handyman to tackle the job.
4. Fix home exterior damage caused by spring storms
If your area experienced severe spring storms, inspect your roof and the rest of your home’s exterior to identify repairs.
For example, is your roof missing a shingle or tile? Did April showers cause water damage or leaks? Summer is the time to address those issues. Tackle the big repairs, like roof repairs, as well as the small ones, like squeaky hinges and dripping faucets.
Who to hire: A handyman can handle many repairs. But for more complicated work that requires a special license or certification, you may need to hire a contractor.
5. Overseed, weed and aerate your lawn if needed
The lawn is an area homeowners sometimes overlook, but it needs summertime maintenance too. To keep your turf green, lush and free of weeds or bare patches, consider aerating and overseeding your lawn. These tasks can help prevent and relieve soil compaction, fill in bare patches and thicken your lawn.
Depending on where you live and the climate, you may want to do these tasks in early or late summer — or even in early fall or late spring.
Who to hire: For this job, turn to a lawn care professional. These pros will not only have the tools needed for aeration, but they’ll also be able to make recommendations for your specific grass type.
6. Give your garage door some TLC
It’s usually warm enough in the summer to keep your garage door open for long stretches, making it the perfect time to do a little maintenance too.
Back the car out of the garage, close the door and oil all of the door’s hinges to keep them working smoothly. Also pay attention to the door opener and its chain. If needed, clean the chain to remove grime and debris, then oil it thoroughly.
Who to hire: You can probably oil your garage door by yourself, but if you think you need repairs, it’s a good idea to contact a professional.
7. Clean gutters and downspouts
Gutter cleaning should be done a couple of times per year — or whenever gutters become clogged, which can happen at any time, including summer.
If your gutters and downspouts are clogged with leaves, dirt and debris from a recent spring storm, clean them in the summer. By handling this task before fall and winter arrive, you can avoid potential water damage, broken gutters and pest infestations that tend to occur during those rainy seasons.
8. Maintain your landscaping and outdoor living areas
Whether you use your backyard for entertaining friends and family or for peaceful solo lounging, keep your landscaping features looking great throughout the summer.
For example, after hosting an outdoor gathering, remember to wipe down your furniture and other surfaces. Inspect your deck and patio for cracks and peeling paint. These could be signs that you need repairs or repainting. Finally, make sure your lawn, trees, flowers and other plants are getting the water they need from your irrigation system — but not too much.
Who to hire: If you have a lot of landscape maintenance to tackle, consider hiring a landscaper to help you stay on top of everything.
9. Check for leaks in outdoor plumbing
Winter freezes and spring thaws can do a number on outdoor spigots and other outdoor plumbing fixtures. Even a slow drip can add up to a lot of water wasted — up to 104 gallons per year at the rate of one drip per minute for three faucets. And water pooling around your home’s foundation can eventually cause structural damage.
10. Keep an eye on your sprinkler system
As spring showers start to abate, your sprinkler system will need to be up and running to keep the grass green throughout the hot, dry parts of summer.
Locate your sprinkler heads and clean out any nozzles that may be clogged. Broken sprinkler heads should be replaced, and all heads should be adjusted so they’re perpendicular to the soil to avoid wasting water.
Who to hire: If you’re unfamiliar with sprinkler system maintenance, hire a professional for the job.
11. Set up regular pool cleanings
If you have a swimming pool that will be getting a lot of use during the summer, stay on top of cleaning it. Skim the surface for leaves and debris, empty the baskets, vacuum the bottom of your pool, clean the filter and check the chemicals and water quality.
Who to hire: Try to complete basic pool maintenance tasks at least every week. Even better, hire a pool cleaning company to take care of this for you.
12. Trim your shrubs and trees
At least once a year, trim your shrubs to keep them healthy and beautiful — and to boost your home’s curb appeal this summer. Just be careful that you're not pruning flowering shrubs at the wrong time of year. For example, roses and crape myrtle are best trimmed in late winter or early spring, according to Bob Vila.
Who to hire: A professional can help you shape your shrubs so your house will stand out on the block. Just let them know how tall the shrubs are and how many need to be trimmed.
Summer home maintenance tips for a comfy interior
We focused a lot on summer home maintenance tasks for your yard and exterior because you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors. But your home’s interior is just as important — especially if you plan to spend most of your summer days inside to beat the heat. Here’s what you should put on your summer checklist.
1. Service your air conditioner
The best time to get your AC serviced is during the spring. However, if this task fell off your spring home maintenance checklist, aim to get it done early in the summer — or at least before the hot weather arrives in full force.
2. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans
In the winter, it’s wise to run ceiling fans in reverse so they direct airflow upward, circulating the warm air that rises to the ceiling throughout the room.
You’ll need to switch it up for summer. Help your cooling system out by reversing your fans so they direct air downward and better circulate cool air in the room.
Who to hire: Switching the direction is easy to do on your own. Just flip the switch on the fan’s motor housing. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, consider installing one to save on energy costs this summer.
3. Let a professional clean your home
Hire a top-rated house cleaner to give your home a thorough summer cleaning. Depending on where you live, summer heat and humidity can encourage mildew or mold growth inside your home. So it’s always best to clean regularly and check for signs of mold in your bathroom, basement and other areas prone to water exposure.
It’s also a good idea to clean your home before summer gatherings. Make sure you have sparkling clean bathrooms and smudge-free countertops the next time you host an outdoor BBQ or pool party. Planning on taking a trip this summer? Get a house cleaner to help get your house in order while you focus on travel plans and packing. There’s nothing like coming home to a clean house after spending several days in a hotel.
Who to hire: Look for a house cleaner who can wash your walls and windows, dust your furniture and shelves, clean your refrigerator and handle other big cleaning tasks so you have more time to enjoy your summer activities.
4. Clean your ducts if needed
Depending on their condition, you may want to clean your air ducts this summer. The EPA identifies a few instances where you should consider getting your ducts cleaned. For example, you may want to hire a pro if you see a substantial amount of mold growth, pests or other debris clogging your ducts.
Who to hire: Ductwork cleaning can be a big job that may require you to take your ducts apart at certain intervals to access and thoroughly clean the entire system. For this reason, it’s best to look for a professional that specializes in cleaning ductwork.
5. Clean the dryer vents
Dryer vent pipes should be cleaned at least once a year to prevent the buildup of lint and other debris, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Lint caught in dryer vents can cause residential fires, which you’ll want to avoid at all costs.
Good airflow through the vent system also helps your dryer work more efficiently, which means your clothes will dry faster and your energy bills will stay lower.
6. Clean your carpets
During the winter and spring months, people may have tracked water and dirt into your home. If so, who knows what kind of bacteria and mold spores may be lurking underneath your carpets? For your peace of mind, consider cleaning your carpets with a vacuum, steam and carpet shampoo.
Who to hire: This can be a DIY task as long as you have the proper equipment and cleaning solutions. If not, you can hire a carpet cleaning service in your area.
7. Inspect your tile and grout
Grout that was mixed with too much water, a shifting subfloor, issues with thinset coverage and even everyday wear and tear can cause grout to crack. And if your grout starts to degrade, water may seep through and lead to mold growth. At the beginning of summer, inspect all tiled areas and check for cracks and chips in the grout.
8. Check your windows and door for leaks
If the winter or spring weather damaged the caulking around your windows and doors, now’s the time to recaulk them. Sealing your windows will help keep cool air in and hot air out, which can lower your energy bills by helping your air conditioning work more efficiently. Plus, sealed cracks will keep unwanted pests and insects out of the house and in the yard where they belong.
9. Clear out your garage
Didn’t have time to tackle that pile of mess in the garage during your spring cleaning routine? Put it near the top of your list this summer.
Garages are notorious for collecting clutter. And your car may have left a layer of salt, grime and mud after months of driving on wet, treated roads.
Get rid of that clutter by selling or donating items you no longer need. Once your garage is clutter-free, give it a thorough cleaning on a warm summer day so you can leave the garage door open and let the wet floors dry quickly. Then consider investing in a few shelves, cubbies and other storage items to help keep your garage organized all year long.
Who to hire: This can be a DIY task that the whole family helps with. But if your garage is extremely cluttered, save yourself the time and find a pro to clean it out instead.
10. Test your smoke detectors
It’s easy to forget about smoke detectors, but remember that they can save lives in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. With campfire and barbecue season on the way, it’s smart to check your smoke detectors at the beginning of summer.
Test each detector to make sure the batteries are working, and replace batteries as needed. If you have older smoke detectors, you may want to replace them with newer ones. It’s an inexpensive job that could save your home.
11. Do a home inspection
Ask any real estate agent, and they’ll encourage you to inspect your home every 3-5 years for maintenance and repairs. This is especially important if you plan to put your house on the market in the near future. During the inspection, you should check for structural and foundational issues, as well as the condition of your flooring, walls, appliances and more.
Who to hire: It’s best to contact a professional home inspector. They can give you a detailed report on which maintenance and repair issues you need to address.
Hire a home maintenance professional on Thumbtack today
Get your home ready for the coming season by checking these summer home maintenance items off your list. Some of these projects could be big ones that you may not want to take on yourself. That’s when you can count on Thumbtack to help you find a home maintenance professional.
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