Getting Your Property Summer-Ready

Summer is finally here, but before you get too far into the season, there are a few things you’ll want to mark off your checklist. Because of the harsh winters here in Chicago, the exterior of your home may need some extra attention. Below is a home maintenance list to get your property summer-ready.

Inspect Your Home’s Insulation

Keeping your home cool can come at a high cost, so it’s imperative that you check your home’s insulation to ensure all cracks and gaps are sealed. Take a tour of your house and check windows, doors, the attic, and the garage to identify any areas where hot air is coming through. Make a note on your checklist to address any areas that need extra reinforcement.

Check Your Roof and Gutters

Step one is to check your roof for any damage caused during the winter. Check for gaps, cracks, or missing shingles. If anything is awry, you’ll want to fix it immediately to prevent further damage to your home. Once the roof is checked, move on to your gutters. Over the fall and winter, leaves and debris can build up in your gutters, making them both ineffective and very heavy. If too much builds up in your gutters, you run the risk of them pulling away from your home. Take an afternoon and clean them out for a fresh start to summer.

Reseal Your Deck

Make sure checking your deck is on your home maintenance checklist for getting your property summer-ready. To start, inspect all of the wood and make sure nothing is rotting or splintered. Once you’ve ensured that all of the wood is good, pour some water over the boards of your deck. If the water soaks into the wood, that’s your sign that it’s time to reseal your deck. It’s a lot of work, but it’ll help keep your deck in good shape year-round.

Replace Damaged Screens

As you are doing a walkthrough of your house to check insulation, take note of any screens as well. Do any of your screen doors or window screens have rips or tears? If you enjoy having your windows and doors open during the summer, it’s important to address this sooner rather than later. Small tears can be repaired without having to buy a new screen.

Power Wash Your Driveway, Deck, Sidewalks, and Patio

Mold and mildew tend to grow over the year as temperatures fluctuate and moisture is created. Schedule an afternoon to power wash your driveway, deck, sidewalks, and patio. Not only does it remove mold and mildew, but it also helps dig up weeds in the cracks of your sidewalk or peeling paint on your deck. Plus, it’s a great way to start fresh for the summer.

Take Care of Your Lawn

Lawns are incredibly finicky, so taking notice of trouble spots at the beginning of the summer can save you headaches down the line. If you notice any bald spots in your lawn at the start of the season, put some seeds down to ensure a lush lawn by the middle of summer. Keep an eye out for pests like grubs that may wreak havoc on your lawn. Depending on water accessibility where you live, you may also want to water your lawn during long dry spells to keep the grass from drying up.

Summer is an exciting time to get to all of the home projects you put off during the colder months. The coldness and moisture of winter can be very harsh on the exterior of your home, so adding projects to your home maintenance checklist that address these areas can help keep your house protected.

For more tips on taking care of your home, make sure to check out our other blogs!