Hooray! It’s summer.

And that means more outdoor activities—and exterior home maintenance chores. You’ll want to enjoy your home and yard to relax and entertain. You’ll also want to ensure that it not only looks beautiful, but it remains in tip-top shape throughout the summer. Here are some summer home maintenance tips to tackle this month.

Tune Up the Lawn Equipment

Pull out the lawnmower and other lawn equipment and give them a thorough cleaning for rust. For the mower, remove the blade and spark plug and dislodge any grass debris with a wire brush. Then wipe away any remaining clippings. This will help prevent grass from clogging the discharge chute. Put the mower back together and lubricate where needed.

Clean the Grill

Summer is the time for outdoor barbecues, and you’ll want a clean and efficient grill to get the job done.

For your gas grill, turn the burners on high and close the lid. Let it “cook” for 30 minutes. Turn off the flames and let the grill cool, then use a grill brush to scrub the grates and sweep out the inside. Wipe down the outside to remove dirt buildup and spider webs. Clean the drip trays.
For your charcoal grill: Remove the grill rack and dump out any old—cold—charcoal. Use hot water to sponge out the inside and outside of the grill. Replace the rack and let the grill dry completely before using.

Inspect the Roof and Exterior

Look for signs of damage on the roof and remove leaves, twigs and other debris that may be lodged between shingles or in the gutters. Inspect the flashing around the chimney, vents and skylights. Review the home’s exterior walls to look for damage, mold, mildew or other problems. Mold and mildew can be removed with an exterior power wash.

Replace Damaged Screens

With winter’s storms, one or more of your screens may have been damaged. Use the warm weather to replace screens. While you’re at the windows, check their sealant and replace if necessary.

Check the Deck

Go over the deck to check for loose boards, nail pops and rotting wood. Replace or repair items where necessary. Check to see if the deck needs resealing by pouring water onto it. If the water beads into puddles, it doesn’t need resealing yet. If it is absorbed by the wood, it is time to reseal.

Prune Branches and Bushes

As part of your summer home maintenance, cut back any loose or broken branches and trim up the bushes to make the yard look tidy and to keep them away from the house and the HVAC unit. Add mulch to plant beds to help keep moisture in the soil.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

You don’t want your air conditioning breaking down during peak heat, so have it serviced now. Check the outside unit for faulty wires, and remove debris--these could cause a fire. Change the HVAC filter as part of your regular summer home maintenance.

Going Away for the Summer? Let Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge look after your home!

Don’t leave your Northern Virginia home unattended when you go on vacation. Trust Golden Rule Home Watch & Concierge to watch over your home while you’re away.

We have more than 25 years of experience in home improvement and home management. Each time we come to your home, we will check both the interior and exterior of your home, looking for any signs of damage or potential hazards, then submit a full report to you after each visit. We’ll even help line up services for some of your summer home maintenance chores when you’re not there. Our job is to not only protect your home, but to also alleviate your worries so you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

To find out more about Golden Rule Home Watch, or to schedule your Home Watch, contact us at 855-928-2424.