While you’re probably still enjoying all kinds of summer fun, it’s time to start thinking about any projects you want to complete while the weather is still in your favor. Home projects may not be the highlight of your summer, but being sure to keep up on regular home maintenance will help prevent any long-term damage.
Follow this home maintenance checklist to close out the season and keep things looking their best all year long!
Clean your gutters
This might seem like a spring project, but leaves and other debris can build up all year long. When water can’t flow through the gutters, it can overflow and damage your foundation and basement. Be sure you have a sturdy ladder for this, and place it somewhere where it can’t shift underneath you. Spread out a tarp below the gutters and remove debris with a gutter scoop. These can be found at the hardware or home improvement store, but a spatula or child’s sand shovel works great too! Rinse everything with a hose when you’re done to get all remaining debris washed away.
Inspect your Roof
While you’ve got the ladder out, take a look at your roof. Remove any buildup of debris or leaves that you see both on top and beneath the eaves. If any shingles are buckled or curled, they need to be replaced. If the majority of your shingles look like this, it may be time to replace the entire thing. Take a look at the metal strips around chimneys and vents as well. If anything is loose, make needed repairs to prevent water damage.
Freshen up the exterior
If you have a buildup of debris on the outside of your home, consider power washing the exterior. Just make sure you use the right amount of pressure for your siding. Hot weather can also fade paint, so, when you’re done cleaning, consider having the outside of the home painted. You could just opt for the spots that seem to get the most sun exposure.
Clean up your landscaping
When summer really starts to come to an end, start doing some clean-up around the yard. Prune flowers, bushes, and trees away from your house, pull weeds and remove extra debris. When the leaves begin to fall, you’ll have much less to clean up as you rake. This is also a great time to plant bulbs for spring blooms!
Replace old windows
It’s hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home if the windows are old or aren’t properly sealed. You don’t want to have your heating and cooling systems running more than they should. Consider replacing single-pane windows and filling gaps with caulk to keep your home efficient during the colder months. While you’re at it, fix any broken or missing screens.
Clean your fireplace & chimney
Building a fire might not be at the front of your mind right now, but if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, now is the time to have them cleaned and inspected. Burning wood produces soot and creosote that can build up over time. This is the dark residue that you see coating your firebox. This substance is highly flammable and should be removed every season to prevent chimney fires. Take time to have it cleaned now so you can be ready to get cozy when the cold temperatures hit!
Clean your deck
Your deck might be looking a little rough after all those summer BBQs! Spend a weekend cleaning off all debris, and giving it a wash. A hose and a gentle scrub with soapy water will do that trick. Be careful with power washing as some decks are not suited for it. When you’re done cleaning, take a look and see if any boards are loose. If any are damaged or rotting be sure to remove and replace them. Loose and broken deck boards can be a hazard for you and your guests!
Owning a home can be a lot of work, but if you follow this end-of-summer checklist, you’ll save yourself time and money by preventing future damage. If you’re feeling a bit out of your league with some of these tasks, don’t worry! We can help.
One of our many services is property maintenance. Whether you’re looking for annual home maintenance, property management maintenance, or commercial and industrial maintenance, we’d love to help you with the upkeep of your property.
You can count on Total Home Solutions to provide quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service in everything that we do. We bring innovative ideas, building strategies, and forward-thinking in the construction industry, all the while promoting relationships that compliment both our business model and your construction needs and expectations.
If you have home maintenance or any other projects you’d like to get started on, we encourage you to reach out soon as we’re in our busiest season of the year!
Call our office at 541-647-0213, email us at info@mytotalhomesolutions.com, or submit your information at mytotalhomesolutions.com/contact. We look forward to working with you!