Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

As each season approaches, you should consider which home maintenance tasks you want to accomplish so you’re ready for everything that comes with the new season— especially as summer approaches. The best way to keep track of all you need to do is with a summer maintenance checklist for your home.

When distributing tasks on your yearly home maintenance checklist, summer is the perfect time to handle outdoor improvements and prepare for the heat. Get ready for the best parts of summer and jump-start the home maintenance tips for spring and summer that you may have postponed from last season. You want to handle these tasks early — when the weather is warm, but the summer heat has yet to reach its high.

Summer’s weather can have various effects on your garage door and home exterior. To maintain a safe and comfortable home this summer, develop a plan for year-round upkeep. With summer home maintenance chores, you may even boost the value of your property!

To help you put together your own summer home maintenance checklist, here’s a look at ours.

Summer Home Maintenance and Cleaning Tips

Some key elements of your summer home maintenance checklist will be ensuring you can stay cool during the summer heat. Some tasks will apply to each season, some you should prioritize early and some you can take up at the end of summer. Our top summer maintenance tips for your home include:

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Clean air conditioners and fans.
  • Check your deck.
  • Prep your patio and driveway.
  • Wash your windows.
  • Mulch your greenspace.
  • Remove waste from gutters.
  • Get garage door maintenance.
  • Improve home insulation.

We recommend handling these tasks at the start of every summer. We’ve also included some late summer home maintenance tips that you can achieve by the end of summer and still experience the benefits of home improvement. Waiting to improve your insulation until late summer can set you up for energy savings during the colder months — though completing this task earlier can also be beneficial to help retain cool indoor air throughout summer.

1. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Put fresh batteries in each unit and test them to make sure they work accurately.

It’s a good idea to do this every season, just to be safe. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have a critical role within your home and can only do their jobs if they are working. Put fresh batteries in each unit and test them to make sure they work accurately. Form a habit of checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the start of every season to ensure your safety all year round. 

As a task that you should apply to each season’s checklist, we recommend making these tests your first priority. It’s a lifesaving and generally easy-to-complete task that can motivate you to continue checking off the rest of your maintenance projects.

2. Clean Air Conditioners and Ceiling Fans

While you should perform regular cleanings multiple times per year, be sure to check your air conditioners and fans as part of your summer preparations.

While you should perform regular cleanings multiple times per year, be sure to check your air conditioners and fans as part of your summer preparations. Summer is when these fixtures see the most activity, so it is better to ensure they are functioning appropriately before you need them.

Air Conditioners

To safely clean your air conditioners, turn off the power to your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) before checking the system. Next, clean the filters and make sure they and the rest of the unit are as dust-free as possible.For earlier models, you should clean the filter every two weeks. Newer air-conditioning models may have a self-cleaning function and save you this effort. No matter the version you own, you should still run the unit for a while in spring or early summer to verify it’s working correctly.

You don’t want your system blowing hot air or starting cool and then warming up. If you have a problem with your air conditioner or have central air and need to do maintenance, you’ll probably want to call in a professional. If you need a new air conditioner, it’s best to find out before the heart of summer — when prices skyrocket and you need it to stay cool.

Ceiling Fans

Check that your ceiling fans are working correctly and remove any dust from the fan blades before sending them on their first summer spin. Your fans have likely been stationary for several months — plenty of time for the dust to collect and settle. If you have hard-to-reach ceiling fans, you may want to buy a special duster that reaches the height and angle of your fan blades.

As a final step, verify that your fan is set to counter-clockwise rotation. A counter-clockwise spin will push cool air downward and give you a desirable effect that saves on energy. If your fan spins clockwise, you can easily adjust this with a switch on the ceiling fan’s base.

3. Check Your Deck

Check your deck. To transform your deck into a safe and comfortable space for summer entertaining, replace rotting or bowing boards and hammer loose nails. 

Get ready to entertain family and friends on your outdoor deck with fresh air and warm weather. Look for any signs of rotted wood, bowing boards or jutting out nails — anything that could prove troublesome once that deck starts getting some meaningful summer use. To transform your deck into a safe and comfortable space for summer entertaining, replace rotting or bowing boards and hammer loose nails. 

Once you’ve made the necessary repairs, check if your deck needs re-sealed with three simple steps:

  1. Spray a portion of the deck with water.
  2. Watch to see how the water reacts. If the water pools or beads up, you’re good to go for the summer.
  3. If the water soaks into the wood, it’s time to re-seal. Get yourself some deck sealer and restore your deck’s protective layer.

If you want to go the extra mile and rejuvenate your home, opt for a deck stain instead of a deck sealer. Whereas sealant adds transparent protection, a deck stain will lock out moisture and add a new pigment or tone to your deck. Remember to sand your deck’s surface before you apply a stain for the best results.

Finally, it’s time to clean your deck furniture with a soapy rag. Leave the furniture under the summer sun for a quicker dry time. Then, place it back on your clean deck, add some finishing touches and feel relaxed in the warm weather for the rest of the season.

4. Prep Your Patio and Driveway

Prep Your Patio and Driveway As with your deck, you will want to prep your patio, driveway and walkways for outdoor use this summer.

As with your deck, you will want to prep your patio, driveway and walkways for outdoor use this summer. Give your patio and driveway a good cleaning, and impress your guests with shaded entertainment.

Deep Clean

Your driveway, walkways and patio are essential to first impressions. Follow these steps to enhance your curb appeal and prep areas that receive daily wear from the summer weather’s effects:

  1. Mend cracks and remove weeds: A smooth surface that is free of weeds and large cracks will make the following steps more effortless.
  2. Sweep and mop smaller spaces: Small areas may only require a broom and mop to look brand new. First, sweep away any loose dirt and leaves from the weeding process. Then, mop the entire area and let it sun-dry.
  3. Pressure wash larger spaces: You might want to utilize a pressure washer instead of a mop for large patios, pool areas and long driveways. While you can purchase a pressure washer, many home improvement stores allow you to rent a pressure washer without requiring you to store it year-round or maintain it.
  4. Re-seal the driveway: The perfect time to add a new coat of asphalt is after a deep driveway cleaning. To properly set asphalt, the driveway cannot be wet or have too much dirt. Let your driveway dry after its pressure wash before re-sealing it.
  5. Clean patio furniture: Use a soapy rag to clean any outdoor furniture. Leave it to dry in the sun, and then arrange the furniture as desired on your clean patio.

While you’re at it, you may want to clean your garage door and home exterior. There are a couple of critical things to keep in mind. A pressure washer is ideal for patios, driveways and walkways because hard surfaces are less likely to be damaged or worn from the water’s high pressure. However, you should avoid pressure washing your home’s exterior.

Consider soft washing your roof, windows and siding. This method will drop the point of pressure and make it safer for more pliable materials. For garage doors, you can use a mild cleaning solution, non-abrasive sponge and step ladder.

Provide Shade

Shade your patio and keep your garage area cool when you install an awning or plant trees. Depending on your home’s layout and location, you could benefit from a permanent awning or a retractable design. Permanent awnings are great for patios or garage doors that face direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. A retractable awning can be a practical solution since it provides homeowners ideal coverage in any weather. Protect against heat in the summer and let the sunlight shine in the winter with various awning options.

If you’re in the market for a more visually appealing option, trees are a fantastic source of natural shade. When you strategically plant a deciduous tree to block the sunlight from reaching your garage or patio, you create an effect similar to retractable awnings. Deciduous trees — such as oak, ash and walnut — provide full, leafy coverage during the hot summer months and lose their leaves in autumn so the warm sun can shine through in winter.

5. Wash Your Windows

Wash your windows. Clean windows bring in more natural light and enhance your home inside and out.

The beginning of summer is a great time to make sure all your windows are clean. The weather likely will be conducive for homeowners to get their entire exterior clean, so it’s an excellent idea to take advantage of the opportunity. Clean windows bring in more natural light and enhance your home inside and out. Make your exterior look fresh and create the feeling of more open space on the interior with these tasks:

Clean Window Screens

Before touching the glass, start the window cleaning process with your screens.

  1. Remove your window screens and give them a quick once-over with a vacuum to remove loose dirt and dust.
  2. Gently scrub dish soap across the screen with a bristle brush.
  3. Use the summer sun to your advantage and leave the screens to dry outside in direct sunlight. You want to complete this part of the summer home maintenance project as early as possible for maximum dry time.

Wash Window Exteriors and Interiors

When the weather is warm, it’s the perfect time to clean the exterior of your windows. Remember, this project can require two people and a ladder if your house has multiple floors. You can sponge down the glass with a cleaning solution while you wait for the window screens to dry. You may see the best results when you prepare a solution with hot water and vinegar.

Afterward, give your windows a wipe-down from the inside, too. Brighten up your home with natural sunlight and appreciate the refresh clean windows can bring to your space.

6. Mulch Your Greenspace

Adding mulch to your flower beds can help kill weeds and trap moisture in the soil. These benefits give your plants a chance at enhanced growth during sweltering summer days. Spring and summer are excellent seasons to purchase and grow plants and flowers. Give your soil the extra boost it needs during summertime when you mulch your greenspace.

You may want to consider other landscaping needs of your property on your spring or summer home maintenance checklists. Fertilize your lawn, clean your pool or other water fixtures and prune overgrown trees and shrubs. These simple acts of clearing away dead greenery and enhancing lively parts can improve your home’s first impression. It may even boost your property value.

7. Remove Waste From Gutters

Avoid summer drainage issues this thunderstorm season when you clear out your gutters and downspouts ahead of time. Your gutters can quickly build up leaves, twigs, dirt and other debris.

Avoid summer drainage issues this thunderstorm season when you clear out your gutters and downspouts ahead of time. Your gutters can quickly build up leaves, twigs, dirt and other debris. Prevent water from clogging during heavy rain and remove any waste that’s already trapped inside your gutter. Gather your ladder, outdoor gloves and hose before following these steps to clear your gutters of debris:

  1. Use a sturdy ladder to reach your gutters and ensure they are attached tightly.
  2. Remove the cover on your gutter. For safety, have a family member or friend steady the ladder at its base whenever you’re working on it.
  3. Scoop out any debris. You can use a tool or your hands, so make sure you’ve got your outdoor gloves on.
  4. Flush out leftover debris with water and check for leaks. Call a professional if you locate a leak in your gutter.
  5. Check downspouts for any clogs. The water should have flushed out of a drainage spout and created a visible pool.
  6. If you find a clog, remove it by sticking your hose up the spout until it clears.

8. Get Garage Door Maintenance

Summer is also an excellent opportunity to cool your garage down with some inexpensive and achievable changes in your lifestyle.

The beginning of summer is also an ideal time to ensure your garage and garage door are working correctly. It’s best if you oil your garage door opener and chain at the start of summer. Remember to lubricate the door itself for smooth and safe summer garage door usage. If your garage door is not insulated, this may be a perfect time to install a new, insulated garage door.

Insulated garage doors are more durable and can cut cooling costs dramatically on your energy bill. You can feel comfortable inside your garage in any weather and feel relieved knowing your tools, appliances and vehicles are safe, too. Insulated garage doors have also been known to increase property value. Whether you seek long-lasting durability or energy efficiency, find out how you can benefit from insulated garage doors today.

Whether you’re installing a new garage door or not, this is an excellent time to replace worn-out springs and lubricate your rollers and hinges so your garage door does not stick due to humidity. Summer is also an excellent opportunity to cool your garage down with some inexpensive and achievable changes in your lifestyle. These methods can be as simple as opening the door whenever you’re relaxing outside or decluttering your garage’s interior.

9. Improve Home Insulation

Improve Home Insulation While improving insulation is a significant aspect of garage door maintenance, you can also improve insulation throughout your entire home.

While improving insulation is a significant aspect of garage door maintenance, you can also improve insulation throughout your entire home. Address any windows, doors or other access points where heat and cool air may escape. This project may be the best for homeowners seeking end-of-summer maintenance tips for your home. Any late summer home maintenance should prepare your house for the colder months yet require warm weather to comfortably complete.

Replace any doors and windows, including the garage door, during your end-of-summer home maintenance. This project will open your home to the outside temperature, with old fixtures getting removed and new installations taking their place. When you complete this project in summer, you can improve insulation for the approaching winter during a more manageable season.

Manage Your Summer Home Maintenance Chores With Quality Overhead Door

Manage Your Summer Home Maintenance Chores With Quality Overhead Door. Contact us.

If your seasonal garage door inspection indicates that you need a new garage door, insulated or otherwise, and you are in northwest Ohio or southeast Michigan, it’s time to call Quality Overhead Door. For homeowners who want to avoid common summer home maintenance mistakes, it is best to hire a professional whenever a project requires a high skill level or leads to further repairs. We are the garage door installation experts in Toledo and surrounding areas. 

Family-owned and operated since 1982, Quality Overhead Door has a wide selection of insulated and non-insulated doors, and we have the know-how to install them quickly and correctly the first time. We can help you handle it all — from garage doors and openers to entry doors, awnings and fireplaces. If all you need is a maintenance check for your garage door, we can help you there as well with our garage door maintenance services. Our technicians know all the top garage door brands and can help identify any problems you may have before they escalate into big repair bills.

Make sure you’re prepared for summer with the right garage door, entry door or awning. Contact Quality Overhead Door for a free estimate on garage doors or to schedule installation or maintenance today.


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