It's so refreshing to get outside the house and in the garden, when the warmer weather arrives. Before the heat and busy days of summer, do some of those long neglected jobs on your to do list outside.Here are some helpful suggestions on the kind of outdoor living, exterior home maintenance, and garden projects you can start with in the early summer.
Hurray, summer is here. The temperature is rising, and the rain is still pouring, you just can’t beat a British summer! It’s still important that you take the time to maintain your home this summer and to prepare it for the heat that you could be facing?! Check out our ultimate checklist of summer home maintenance tips to help you give your home some TLC.
1. Do a test of your smoke detectors and your carbon monoxide detectors. Replace the batteries if needed.
2. Get your chimney cleaned. Yes, you might not use your fireplace again until the Autumn or Winter, but that’s exactly why this is the perfect time to call a chimney cleaning service. They won’t be as busy!
3. Clean or replace your shower heads.
4. Clean bathroom drains.
6. Clean your gutters out, as blocked gutters and downpipes from leaves and garden debris can lead to damp problems as the water drains off in other places, such as your walls and behind fascia boards etc.
7. Check your loft space and cellars
- In your loft, look for signs of dampness, mildew, leaks, holes in the roof, and pests.
- In the cellar, check for leaks, pests, mold, damp and mildew.
8. Clean the vents of your bathroom and kitchen extractor fans.
9. Clean your washer/dryer vent and exhaust duct.
- Clean out all of the dust and lint trapped in the vent and exhaust duct. Call in a professional to clean and service your washer and dryer if needed. Clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if they’re not cleaned and maintained.
10. Clean your grill to prep for summer barbequing and garden parties!
- Charcoal grills: Empty the grill and wipe away any dust or residue. Use hot water, dish soap, and a scrub brush or sponge to clean both the outside and inside of the grill. Be sure to let your grill dry off before using it next.
- Gas grills: Close the lid, turn the heat up high, and let the grill cook for about half an hour. Let the grill cool. Use a grill brush to sweep the grill. Wipe down the outside with a sponge and cleaner. Then clean out all of the drip trays.
11. Wash down your patios and decking. You should sweep these thoroughly, then wash with a dedicated patio or decking cleaner. Remove any embedded dirt by scrubbing with soap and water.
12. Give your wooden deck a once-over. This is a summer home maintenance must.
- Check your deck to see if there are any boards that look like they’re rotting. Have them replaced.
- Hammer any nails that are loose.
- You can also check if your deck needs to be resealed by pouring a little water on it. If the water beads into little puddles, you’re good. If it sinks into the wood, you should get your deck resealed against water.
13. Clean the windows and frames. Why not? Clean windows make your home sparkle! Use warm water and soap to get those windows sparkling.
14. Add a layer of mulch. If you have plants, the extra mulch will help fight off weeds and help your soil retain moisture during those summer months.
15. Check for outdoor leaks. Go on a hunt for leaks by checking all outdoor taps and pipes. Then look at your hose. You can waste a lot of water if there’s even a tiny hole in your hose. Use duck tape to repair any small holes in your hose.
16. Check your kids outdoor play equipment. Make sure everything is still safe. Repair or replace anything that’s damaged or possibly hazardous and make sure that the structure is still sturdy and strong.
17. Protect your home against unwanted guests. Yes, unfortunately sometimes critters decide that your house is the place to be. From mice to squirrels, take steps to close off your home to non-pet animals.
- Cover any holes that are more than a quarter-inch wide.
- Get your tree branches trimmed back so they don’t create a highway for squirrels and rodents – a sure fire squirrel route to your attic, (cue the Mission Impossible theme tune!) Branches should be at least 8 feet from your roof.
- Make sure your outdoor bin lids are tightly sealed to prevent a feast for summer flies and pests.
- Do away with garden debris. Leaves and twigs are a haven for animals that might decide to invade your home.
- Tend to your lawn frequently by mowing and trimming- to keep it in top shape.
18. Inspect the frame sealant around the windows and doors of your home. You can keep ants and bugs at bay in the kitchen by adding fresh sealant to your windows and doors.
19. Consider having your driveway and walkway pressure washed.
20. Repair cracks or holes in your driveway and front steps.
21. Trim bushes and plants.
22. Check the condition of your exterior paintwork, now is the ideal time for a fresh lick of paint, before the season changes for the worse.
23. Check over your fence. Have it repainted, resealed, or repaired as needed.
24. Look at the outside of your house. Check for brickwork that requires repointing in the summer months
25. Consider getting your roof inspected.
- It’s important to properly maintain your roof, to make sure that it can last as long as possible and keep your home watertight and damp free.
So, there you have it – Bells Property Services summer home maintenance tips!
The above tips will help you clean up and take care of your home this summer. If you’ve got some time over the summer, tend to your home.