Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

‘Tis the season to paint, repair, and prevent big problems.

In summer, it’s natural to want to take it easy—even when it comes to home maintenance.

But there are things you don’t want to put off till it’s too late. We’ve put together a list of common outdoor tasks you can tackle without taxing yourself.

Let’s step outside.

Check the exterior of your home for loose or rotted siding. Use a power-washer to remove dust, dirt, tree sap, bird droppings and other gunk that’s collected.

A light touch-up.

Repair and repaint chipped, cracking or faded exterior paint. It’s a great way to enhance curb appeal while helping protect your house from the elements.

Let there be light.

Wash your windows—inside and out. You’ll spruce up the outside and brighten up the inside of your home.

Be on point.

Check your pointing—that’s the mortar between the bricks. If it’s damaged or missing in places, it can cause serious damage from cracking and moisture. Also, look for cracks and leaks along the foundation that can let water, insects and radon gas inside. You can make simple repairs yourself.

Don’t sweat it.

Have your air conditioner checked and serviced. Regular A/C maintenance can extend the life of your unit and help you avoid costly repairs—and sweltering evenings.

Catch the breeze.

You might be surprised how much more energy-efficient your home will be if you check all your windows for leaks and re-caulk seals on windows and doors. Keeping the warm in and the cold out can keep your energy bills from blowing your budget.

Hit the deck.

Power-wash and reseal your wooden deck to help keep wood from splitting, graying or cracking.

Scoop the goop.

Clean out your gutters and downspouts. You may have removed the leaves and twigs last fall or this spring, but summer storms and high winds can deposit debris too.

Keep it flowing.

Clean out the traps (the small screens on the ends) on your exterior faucets to remove mineral deposits and other debris. Just unscrew the end of the faucet with pliers, remove the trap, flush out the gunk and put it back together.

Get the fuzz out.

Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct. Believe it or not, dryer vents clogged with lint and dust can cause house fires.

Child’s play.

Inspect your outdoor playset. Check to see if you need to reinforce, tighten, re-stain, reseal or repaint.

Walk the planks.

If you have a fence around your yard, you’ll need to occasionally reinforce, re-stain, reseal or repaint it.

Don’t trip out.

Fill any cracks on your walkway and driveway. Concrete can be easily damaged by standing water and freezing water seeping in.

Summer’s also the right time to take on projects like:

• Replacing old windows or front doors
• Replacing your roof
• Replacing a chimney cap
• Refinishing flooring
• Adding skylights
• Building a deck
• Servicing your snow blower before the first snowfall

At Frontdoor, we know you love getting things done around the house. Staying in control of your to-do list is easier when you can keep the small things from turning into bigger—and more expensive—ones. We’re here to make it easier to prevent problems instead of reacting to them. We help you gain the peace of mind that comes with staying on top of your home’s health.

Want to learn more about warm-weather projects that can spruce up the outside of your home and prevent problems?  Download the app if you haven’t already, and chat with a helpful, friendly Frontdoor expert.

Frontdoor assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.