A Simple Summer Home Maintenance Checklist for Every Homeowner

A cool, comfortable home is just what you need in the middle of a hot summer. The best way to keep it that way? Remember to tackle your summer home maintenance chores!

For many of us, that’s easier said than done. With work, school, and maybe even kids, it’s easy to let some things slip from time to time. With our summer home maintenance checklist and tips, we’ll help you keep your home looking and feeling great all summer long. Let’s dive in!

Scrub down your door and siding

First impressions are important, so why not make sure your home makes a good one this summer? As part of your initial summer home maintenance checklist tasks, take a brush or wet washcloth to scrub down your entry door, then use a pressure washer or hose to clean your home’s siding.

Generally, you’ll only need to power wash the siding once per season. It can take a few hours, but rest assured, your home will look absolutely fantastic by the time you’re done.

Clear out the gutters and downspouts

Summer storms can be intense and knock debris into your gutters. At the beginning of summer, be sure to clear out winter buildup from your gutters (if you haven’t already, that is). Then, check your gutters and downspouts every few weeks and clear them of leaves, twigs, and other gunk that might accumulate over time.

This is an important summer home care tip because your gutters can sag, crack, or break if they’re left unattended. That’s the last thing you want since you rely on those gutters to funnel rainwater away from your home’s foundation.

Rinse screens over windows and doors

Many homeowners keep their windows and doors open during the day to get a cross breeze flowing through their houses, using screens to keep bugs out. If you’re planning to do the same, use a spray bottle with clean water to spritz those screens clean.

During the spring, it’s not uncommon for pollen and dirt to build up on window screens over several months. If you don’t clean the screens, you could set yourself up for a decidedly unfun stuffy nose.

The same summer home maintenance tip applies to your entry door or back door screen. For example, if you have a quality storm door with a screen fitting, make sure the screen is clean by spritzing it with water and wiping it down with a washcloth before keeping it open all day long.

Replace drafty windows

But what if your windows are drafty, cracked, or otherwise bad for keeping your home cool? In that case, you’ll be better off replacing those drafty windows with energy-efficient alternatives.

Energy-efficient windows insulate your home, keeping cool air inside and the heat of summer outside where it belongs. Plus, new windows can add significant curb appeal to your property and protect furniture from fading in the intense summer sunshine.

Dust your ceiling fans (and reverse their spin)

Odds are you’ll keep your ceiling fans on for most of the upcoming warm weather. With that in mind, break out your ladder and use a wet washcloth to dust the tops of the fan blades. That way, even if your ceiling fans spin 24/7, they won’t spread dust around your home.

While you’re at it, you can improve the energy efficiency of your home by setting your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise. When fans spin in this direction, they push warm air down and make a refreshing breeze. It’s a simple trick that could end up saving you a bundle in the long run!

Clean the air conditioning system

You’ll probably still need to run your air conditioner for at least some of the summer, so take a little time to check up on its health and clean it out if necessary.

For instance, you should change your air conditioning filter at least once every 90 days. Consider changing it even more if you have allergies to spring and summer pollen. Then, dive deep into your vents and air ducts to clean out dust and debris – if it’s too hard for you to get into your air-conditioning system, you can always call contractors to handle this work for you.

Check plumbing systems for leaks

The chilly temperatures of winter can cause cracks and leaks in your plumbing system. As summer heats up, look at your home’s faucets, pipes, and showerheads, plugging leaks or replacing parts as you go. Wasting water is never a good idea, especially in the summer (not to mention it’s bad for the environment).

Vacuum and wipe freezer coils

Your freezer and refrigerator are even more important in the hottest months of the year, so it’s a good idea to check them from time to time. At the beginning of the season, take your vacuum cleaner and suck out any dust or debris you see in the coils of your refrigerator – they’re usually found at the back. Just remember to unplug your refrigerator before starting to clean the coils!

If vacuuming doesn't suck out all the dust by itself, brush away the debris with a long-handled dry brush. Do this every season, and your refrigerator will keep your food and drinks cooler that much easier.

Wash your patio and outdoor furniture

Planning to spend a lot of time outside? Then one of the most important summer home maintenance checklist tasks is getting your outdoor patio and furniture ready for backyard barbecues or other parties!

Take your hose to rinse off outdoor furniture, and consider using a pressure washer to scrub down your concrete patio or wooden deck. Some regular sweeping here and there afterward will keep your front or backyard looking fantastic all summer long.

While all of these summertime house chores are important, you can only take care of so much by yourself. For more involved projects, like replacing your windows, it’s wise to call the experts to make sure installation goes off without a hitch.

At Window World, our local experts can recommend the best energy-efficient windows for summertime comfort, perform energy audits, and much more – and it all starts when you contact us for a free quote today. Give us a call or visit your local showroom to learn more!