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Unlike fall and winter, the dry, warm weather of summer makes it the perfect time for exterior maintenance and big repair projects. But summer also brings its own challenges: heavy rains and blistering temperatures can turn small leaks into significant problems.
Putting off repairs now is a significant risk that can lead to costly fixes come fall or winter. Proactive maintenance is key to keeping your house in good shape and preserving its value. This comprehensive maintenance guide highlights the most critical summer home maintenance tasks you need to get scheduled ASAP.
Effective home maintenance during the summer starts with taking a thorough look at things. By being diligent and regularly checking key areas, homeowners can spot problems and inspect to maintain their home before they worsen. Summer is actually the best time to tackle exterior and structural issues - the kind that are usually the most complex and most expensive to fix once the weather turns cold.
Your roof and exterior siding are your house's first line of defense against the elements. Even minor issues can quickly escalate into severe water damage.
Summer weather can be very tough on your roof. Roof leaks in summer often occur when preventative maintenance is overlooked, affecting air quality and damage from the previous season worsens due to heat.
Take a close look at your Shingles: Use binoculars or climb up onto your roof safely (if you can - or get a pro to do it for you) and take a good, hard look. Are any of your shingles curled up, cracked, or missing? If shingles are missing, the underlying materials are exposed, so a leak is basically guaranteed. You need to replace those shingles ASAP to stop water from getting in.
Check the Flashing and Seals: Inspect the flashing around the chimney, vents, and skylights. Are there any cracks or gaps in the sealant? If so, that's a shared place for leaks to develop. Fixing these cracks is a top maintenance priority.
Check your Roofing Materials: Take a close look at how they are holding up. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, summer is the time to start planning and scheduling a new roof, not just patching the old one.
Clogged gutters are a major contributor to both roof and foundation problems, making it a cost effective solution to keep them clear .
Clean out your gutters: Give them a thorough cleaning to remove debris, leaves, and sediment that accumulated over the winter. If your gutters are clogged, water can overflow, run down your exterior walls, and pool at the foundation, creating a serious risk.
Make Sure Your Downspouts Are Clear: Make sure your downspouts are clear and directing water at least a few feet away from the foundation. Proper drainage is essential to stopping leaks in the basement.
In addition to checking your siding, don’t forget to wash windows as they can also impact your house's structure from moisture, making preventative maintenance essential . A tiny little crack can quickly lead to rot and mold, which makes regular home maintenance important.
Inspect Your Siding: Walk around the exterior and take a thorough look at the siding. Are there any cracks, bowing, or loose panels? Get any exterior siding repair done pronto.
Check the Seals Around Your Windows and Doors: Inspect the caulk and weatherstripping around your windows and doors. If there are any cracks or gaps, they are major energy wasters and potential leaks waiting to happen. Caulk and weatherstrip now to keep your house comfortable.
The foundation of your house is its most vital part - the backbone that keeps everything together. And if you notice foundation cracks appearing in the summer, you need to give them immediate attention and correct them promptly. Because those tiny cracks will spread and get much worse in winter and snow, leading to significant deterioration .
Refusing to address foundation cracks is probably the biggest mistake a homeowner can make - after all, Foundation cracks pose serious concerns as they threaten the very integrity of your house's structure.
Get Your House Inspected for Cracks: Take a close look at your basement foundation walls and the exterior of your home. Look for vertical or horizontal cracks, but watch out for horizontal ones, as they tend to indicate more serious structural issues.
Don't Ignore Those Cracks (Even the Tiny Ones): Even hairline cracks can let in water that'll slowly seep its way into your basement, creating a whole host of problems - including a nasty mold risk. Get them fixed, pronto.
Keep Water Away from Your Foundation: Ensure your landscaping slopes away from the house and that there's no water pooling next to your foundation walls. Standing water will weaken your house's structure and cause more cracks to pop up - not to mention create a fun little spot for rodents to make themselves at home.
Don't Let Driveway and Patio Cracks Go Unchecked: If you have cracks in your driveway or patio near the house, you're essentially directing water directly at your foundation. Get those cracks sealed and keep everything flowing.
If you live in an area where it rains frequently, You might be seeing a lot of basement leaks during summer storms, making it essential to explore and identify any sources of water intrusion.
Get Your Basement Checked After a Big Rain: Schedule a thorough inspection after a heavy downpour so you can catch any new leaks or dampness before it becomes a major problem.
Check Your Basement Windows and Doors for Leaks: Ensure they are adequately sealed and insulated. If not, you're going to end up with a whole lot of unnecessary moisture seeping into your home - and that's a costly repair waiting to happen.
Summer's the perfect time to get all maintenance completed on any interior system before winter sets in.
When the sun beats down, your AC's working overtime, so it needs regular maintenance to keep running smoothly, often requiring a professional's expertise .
Clean the Outdoors and Change the Filters: Spend a few minutes cleaning off the condenser unit's exterior and any overgrowth from the landscaping. And don't forget to replace those dirty filters inside your home - they'll help keep your air quality clean.
Get a Pro to Take a Look: Schedule a professional inspection and let them check out your AC for any issues - before a breakdown leaves you high and dry in the heat of summer.
Don't get caught out by a major plumbing leak - Don’t let your worry grow, as minor plumbing leaks can lead to a whole lot worse when the pressure's on, making it crucial to maintain your plumbing .
Check for Leaks Around Your Home: Take a closer look at your pipes under the sink, around toilets, and near appliances - you'd be surprised how often a slow drip ends up causing big problems down the line.
Check Your Washing Machine Hoses: Give your washing machine hoses a once-over for any cracks or wear - they're notorious for bursting and leaving you with a massive leak on your hands. Replace them if you see any signs of aging and stay safe.
With summer storms rolling in and lightning striking, This summer, now's the best time to get a helpful electrical inspection task .
Get a Pro to Check Out Your Electrical System: Book a professional electrical inspection if you see any flickering lights or if your breakers keep tripping - you don't want to wait until something goes seriously wrong - and it could be a matter of safety.
Exterior Outlets: Check the outdoor outlets and switches to ensure they're weatherproofed and have proper covers in place. Water getting to electrical components is a serious risk - not something you want to mess around with.
Deck and fence maintenance is one of those classic summer home repair jobs. Summer weather is ideal for giving your outdoor space a thorough clean, making repairs, taking care of your lawn and applying a fresh coat of sealant to your exterior wood or replace damaged sections .
Give it a good look over for Cracks and Rot: Take a good, hard look at all your decking planks, railing posts, and fence posts for any cracks or signs of rot. If you find any damage, have it repaired for your safety and the overall integrity of the structure.
Give it a deep clean and a new coat of sealant: Give your deck and fence a thorough cleaning to remove any mold and grime that's built up. Then follow up with a fresh coat of sealant or stain to protect it from the elements over the fall and winter.
Landscaping Clearance: Trim back any tree branches or overgrown landscaping that are touching your deck or siding; this creates a recipe for disaster when it comes to moisture transfer and debris buildup. This can lead to rot and leaks.
Getting all your summer home repairs and seasonal maintenance sorted out takes a bit of planning and elbow grease. But by prioritising things like foundation cracks, roof leaks and implementing a plan to make sure your systems are ready for the worst, you can manage the risk of those big storms that come rolling in during the fall and winter.
Schedule your air conditioning repair and electrical inspection now, before the weather gets too cold. While summer weather is still favorable, take the opportunity to seal all cracks in your foundation, roof, and exterior siding. You can save yourself significant hassle and expense in the long run. Keep this home maintenance guide on hand as a reference - you never know when you might need to check something.
Schedule any major repair projects now, while contractors have better access and before the temperatures start to drop. And while you're at it, take a good look at all your windows and doors. While you’re at it, expand your inspection to make sure there aren't any gaps and seal them up properly, as small gaps can contribute to energy loss.
