Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Whether you own or rent your home, it feels like there are always chores to be done. From pulling weeds, to clearing gutters, to unclogging shower drains, the work piles up fast. Take advantage of the warmer weather to knock out some preventative home maintenance practices. You can put these habits in place to stay on top of things while avoiding frustrating repairs that cost thousands down the line.

The summer is the perfect time to take care of both indoor and outdoor maintenance and cleaning tasks, especially after the inclement weather brought by the winter and spring. If you don't have the tools required for each task listed below, check with a neighbor or community member, or make an investment in a tool that can help prevent surprise repair costs.

What should I do to take care of my home in the summer?

1. Hose down the exterior of your A/C unit to remove dirt and debris. This helps your HVAC system operate at its highest efficiency.

2. Trim unhealthy or long limbs from trees to prevent damage to your home. If tree limbs grow too close to your siding and roofing, they might break off during a storm or introduce excess moisture and pests.

3. Check for termites and termite damage. Here's an article about the signs of termite damage, and the circumstances in which homeowners insurance can cover it.

4. Inspect caulking on the outside of your windows and doors, and clean or replace it as you see fit.

5. Remove stagnant water from your property to prevent the spread of mosquitoes.

6. Touch up any worn or chipping paint to maintain your property value. Wash the exterior of your home first to remove dirt and debris.

7. Clear your gutters to remove built up leaves, twigs, and plant material. Check to make sure your downspouts are properly routed so that rainwater can run away from your foundation.

8. Replace your HVAC filters to improve efficiency and air quality.

9. Switch ceiling fan blades to run counterclockwise. Counterclockwise spinning helps cool rooms by providing downward drafts. During the colder months, upward drafts can help circulate air.

10. Clean your refrigerator's coils to remove pet hair, crumbs, and dust.