5 Small Maintenance Tasks to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

Summer is getting closer and closer, and now is the time to start checking some key home and yard maintenance tasks off of your to-do list so that you can fully enjoy the season when it arrives.

Below are five small key chores that you’ll want to tackle indoors and out, according to the pros.

Clean Your Deck or Patio

If you’re lucky enough to have access to your very own outdoor space, you’re going to want to ensure it’s in tip-top shape before summer officially kicks off.

Olivia Ettienne, a Tasker with TaskRabbit, recommends clearing all the dirt and debris out. She recommends pressure washing the area if possible.

“That will remove built-up mold and mildew, refreshing its surface and helping prevent permanent damage and staining,” Ettienne says.

Address Your Yard

Your yard itself may not be in the best shape following the winter and spring months, and a little bit of care can go a long way in prepping your backyard space for the summer season.

Jeremy Yamaguchi, the CEO of Lawn Love, suggests going outside and clearing your yard of any fallen debris, removing pesky weeds, and pruning any plants that need it on a weekly basis.

“If you garden, start spending some time getting your soil prepped and ready for planting,” Yamaguchi says.

Upgrade Your Outdoor Lighting

On a related note, have you paid much attention to your outdoor lighting scheme lately?

“A good outdoor lighting design can not only accentuate your home’s best features, but it can also be a safeguard against would-be intruders and tripping accidents,” Dan Mock, VP of operations at Mister Sparky, says.

He recommends a variety of outdoor lighting approaches. String lights are great for setting a cozy scene.

“Hang weather-resistant lights from trees or around poles to give just enough light to the space without it becoming too bright,” Mock says.

If you crave a bit of pep, colored lights are also a fun choice for outdoor spaces, he adds.

Install spotlights and tree-mounted lights if you want to show off your backyard’s landscaping. Whether it’s statues or fountains you want guests or neighbors to notice, these kinds of lights will help spotlight them in a charming way, Mock says.

Check Your HVAC System

Ettienne formerly worked as an HVAC technician and understands the importance of tackling routine HVAC maintenance in both the winter and the summer. She advises calling in a technician to take a look at all of your outdoor units because they will check everything so all your units are fully prepared for the summer.

Meanwhile, don’t neglect your air filters, either. Ettienne encourages people to make sure to change them out to ensure quality airflow, especially on hot summer days.

Check for Leaking Pipes

During the summer, you will likely see an increased utility bill due to extra water use, but if these charges majorly skyrocket, you may have a leaking pipe, Joseph Wade, VP of Operations at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, says.

To determine whether you have a leaking pipe, check your water meter. After turning off all of the water in your home, look at the meter and determine whether it changes—if it does, you likely have a leak, Wade shares.

“If the meter doesn’t change immediately, wait two hours and check it again,” he says. “If it has changed despite all the water being off, you may be dealing with a slower leak.”

This isn’t the only sign of a leak, though. Wade recommends checking your toilets to ensure that they’re running properly. To do this, add some food coloring to the toilet bowl and then return in 10 minutes.

If the color shoes up in the bowl, you may have a leak which is allowing the water to flow from the tank to the drain without ever flushing the bowl, Wade explains.

If you witness mold or bad smells under cabinets or basins in your home, this could also suggest a leak is present.

“Be especially vigilant if your home is over 25 years old; your plumbing system may be on the declining side of its life expectancy,” Wade says.

Give Your Home a Good Dusting

If you haven’t given your home a complete dusting in a while, it may be time to invest some time in a deep clean. Ettienne explains how dust can hide away in your bedding, upholstery, and carpeting if you’re not actively cleaning it.

“Getting a good dusting in can help reduce dust mites and allergy symptoms,” Ettienne says.