Written in collaboration with www.homelight.com
Summer means warm weather, barbecues, beach days, and home improvement projects. Home improvement projects? That last one may not be at at the top of your summer wish list, but after months battling the elements, your home will no doubt benefit from some TLC. You don’t want to spend all season pulling weeds and cleaning gutters, so we’ve outlined the easiest actions that you can take to get your house in shape for that 4th of July barbecue, and get you back to relaxing in the sun.
- Pressure wash the outside of your home
For a quick home facelift, rinse away months of dirt and grime with a pressure washer sweep on your driveway, decks, windows, and outside of your home.
2. Replace or polish tarnished hardware
Like pressure washing, updating outdoor fixtures can be an easy fix to beautify your home. You can start with polishing and cleaning, but if your doorknob is looking warn and rusty, consider replacing it.
3. Add a fresh coat of paint
Painting will take the outside of your home up another level. Unless you are experienced, you’ll want to hire a professional. A pro tip is to paint the front door, in a bright color like red or blue, for a less expensive update.
4. Clean your gutters
Get your home ready for the next rainy season by emptying gutters of leaves, dirt, and water. You’ll need a ladder, gloves, and a hose. Then you’ll want to remove debris and check for leaks. If you do see leaks, contact a professional to fix them.
5. Trim overgrowth and pull weeds
Are you wondering how your yard suddenly became a jungle? With tools like pruning shears, loppers, and spades, you can get it under control.
6. Give your trees a check up
Summer is time to check if your trees are fall and winter ready. Trim overgrown branches and check for fungi growing on the tree trunks as a sign of decay. If you suspect a problem, contact an arborist.
7. Zap bugs and mosquitos
Mosquitos are unfortunate summer visitors and with vector-borne illnesses doubling in the United States since 2004 (according to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention), they are not only an annoyance, but a health risk. A quick spritz of outdoor bug spray around your yard should keep them away.
8. Update your outdoor furniture
Summer is the best time to get rid of the rusty patio chairs you’ve had since you moved into your home. Incorporate simple furniture and fun decorations to create a comfy outdoor area that you can enjoy all season long.
9. Add more green
Potted plants and flowers in beds can add a little brightness to your outdoor space. Sunflowers, Zinnias, Marigolds, Snapdragons, Daffodils, and Geraniums are hearty choices that will last beyond summer.
10. Quick touch ups
Do a full walkthrough of your home and check for squeaky hinges, loose knobs, and burnt out bulbs. With a can of WD-40 and a screwdriver you can tackle a few tiny flaws in an afternoon.
If you want to hire a professional to help get your home in shape for summer or any season, contact us to learn more about our handyman services.
Leave a Reply