The Summer Home Maintenance Checklist for 2021

The turn of the seasons is a great time to take care of various home maintenance tasks. As summer approaches, the warmer weather and longer days make some tasks a little more manageable than they are at other points in the year. The home appliances and systems we use throughout the summer do better with a little early season maintenance as well.

It’s easier to stay on top of all you need to do when you have a checklist at the ready. In this article, we’ll review the most important tasks to tackle before the summer gets away from us, and we’ll share some helpful summer home maintenance tips.

Homeowners Maintenance Checklist for Summer 2021

1. Perform a thorough inspection of your home.

A home takes a beating from the elements over the course of the winter and early spring. Snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures can damage wood, siding, shingles, paint, stone, and more. Even minor damage can worsen over time, turning into a multi-thousand dollar renovation project in a few years’ time.

Check the exterior of your home for rotting wood and chipping paint. Look for signs of mold and water damage in damp places. Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks and fissures. Examine gutters, downspouts, and other fixtures to ensure they are not loose.

Keep a log of what you find so you can refer back to your notes as necessary when you perform another inspection in the autumn or winter. If you notice anything amiss, perform the appropriate repairs as soon as possible.

2. Clean gutters and downspouts.

Leaves, twigs, pollen, and other debris accumulates in your gutters over the winter and spring. If your gutters and downspouts stay clogged during heavy summer rains, the overflowing water can lead to flooding and structural damage. 

If this is one of the summer home maintenance projects that you would rather not tackle yourself, you can add gutter cleaning coverage to your Liberty Home Guard policy.

3. Inspect your plumbing and waste system.

Routine septic tank maintenance is generally required every three to five years, but the EPA recommends yearly inspections of electrical float switches, pumps, and other mechanical components. It’s a good idea to perform this inspection at the beginning of the summer, as water usage typically increases over the summer months.

4. Service your HVAC system or air conditioner.

You don’t want your air conditioner to cut out just when you need it the most. Before the weather turns hot, replace the filters in your air conditioning units. You could also schedule a service call with a technician to ensure the system is healthy.

5. Check and replace screens and weather stripping.

Examine the screens in your windows and doors for tears. Even small openings allow mosquitoes, flies, and other pests into your home. Mend any tears with screen patches.

If you anticipate running your air conditioner for most of the summer, check the weather stripping and seals on your windows and doors. Small gaps can allow cooler air to escape, making your air conditioner work harder and wasting energy. This is one of the better summer homeowner tips as it can mean lower energy bills and more money in your pocket.

6. Power wash and reseal your deck.

You want your deck, patio, or porch to be in great shape for the summer. Rent a power washer at the beginning of the season to blast away pollen, mildew, and grime. If you have a wooden deck or porch, consider staining or resealing it. This not only makes your home look great—it also extends the lifetime of your outdoor spaces. 

7. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The change of seasons is as good a time as any to inspect your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Test your devices to make sure they’re working properly. Replace the batteries as needed.

8. Attend to your lawn and garden.

Maintain your home’s landscaping before the weather turns too hot and unwanted plants grow too mature. Pull weeds, trim overgrown shrubs and hedges, examine trees surrounding your home, spread mulch, and turn on your irrigation system.

How Home Warranties Can Help

Home maintenance can sometimes feel like a lot for one family to manage. The best home maintenance apps and other modern resources can make things easier, but remember that you can tap your home warranty for help too.

With a Liberty Home Guard policy, you can easily file a claim to service your HVAC system, pool, sprinkler system, kitchen appliances, and more. We take care of finding a qualified professional for any home maintenance job, making your life that much easier.

If you’re interested in a new policy or updating an existing policy, call (866)-834-5570. Until then, enjoy the summer, and remember to check our blog regularly for more homeowner tips for maintenance and upkeep.