Summer to do list for every DIY homeowner
Warm summer days are an enticing invitation to sunny afternoons, sunbathing, dear friends, family, al fresco dining, laughter and fun. In addition to all outdoor activities, the DIY homeowner enthusiast should remember that summer has a homeowner’s list of maintenance tasks on it’s own. As a responsible homeowner or tenant you need to be clever and handy in order to make your home and garden as safe and as welcoming as possible.
Check out our summer to do list for every DIY homeowner.
# 1 Check all detectors at hand!
Summer is the time of high temperatures and fire hazards. Always keep all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in proper working order. Perform a regular check just so you are certain they’re as reliable as you need them to be!
# 2 Inspect, monitor, maintenance and AC repair before it’s too late!
If you want your home to be as cooler as in your dreams, make sure your AC filters are properly cleaned at all time. If have to, be a DIY homeowner and replace those, because AC’s should be in top-notch condition all throughout their busiest of seasons. If you want to learn all about air conditioning maintenance be sure to check out our DIY Air Conditioner Maintenance Manual.
Don’t rely on air conditioning alone to keep your home cool in the summer. A ceiling fan is among the best ways to cut energy costs all year round. Fan installation is among the easiest DIY homeowner projects. Make sure you clean all ceiling and other fans regularly with a damp rag. Use a ceiling-fan duster for all hard to reach blades on high positioned ceiling fans. Being tidy is a virtue.
# 3 Dry clothes the handy way!
An outdoor clothesline lined with crisp linen is not only a pleasure to look at, but it’s also an energy-saving alternative to loading a dryer. Remember that you’re saving energy on cooling your home because dryer is releasing heat while working.
# 4 Decking is always in need of homeowner’s care
Maintenance your porch regularly from leaves and debris because it prevents mold and structural damage. Use a brush and clean dust and pine needles from spaces between floorboards. If left over, time, sun and rain will eventually make those to cause wood damage and then you’ll end up in need of professional handyman services or a skillful carpenter at least.
- Remove all moss and algae with a knife and brush along with accumulated leaves and debris off the decking. Prepare a cleaning solution, a brush and rinse with water.
NB: Allow at least two days for decking to dry before you apply any protective coat.
- Look over your deck for signs of rotting and hammer in any nails that are poking up. Determine if your deck needs some sealing. Sprinkle water over the deck’s boards. If the water beads up, you’re in good shape; but if it soaks right in, it’s time to reseal that sucker.
# 5 Inspect and clean all outdoor cookers!
Your BBQ and grill should be the stars of most garden parties and al fresco dinners. Be an enthusiastic DIY homeowner, and make sure they’re clean and hygienic so you can enjoy a healthy succulent meal :
- To clean a gas grill, set a high temperature and let the grill cook with the lid closed for about half an hour. When it cools down, use a grill brush to scrub all charred food particles. Polish the exterior with a damp soft sponge and a gentle non-abrasive cleanser. Scrub the grill’s drip pans by hand, till it shine as if brand new.
- If you have a charcoal grill, remove all charcoal and wipe out any ashy residue. Scrub the exterior and interior with a chemical-free detergent and a sponge. Rinse with hot water and allow it to dry completely before using it again.
# 6 Windows always require summer maintenance or repair!
If for some reason you missed regular maintenance of windows during your spring cleaning – don’t worry. You have an entire summer to tackle this chore. Domestic repairs and minor renovations can be really simple.
- Inspect hinges. A stiff and dusty hinge will eventually stop working properly.
- Check coating. If damage was inflicted corrosion will start.
- Wipe the glass on a regular basis. Otherwise dirt might build up, which if exposed to sunlight might become a nightmare to remove.
# 7 A DIY homeowner always cares for his pool!
Every house deserves a nice pool in the backyard. When you dip into a pool after work on a hot summer day you’ll see that all the work around the pool wasn’t for nothing. It doesn’t matter if you have a concrete below ground pool or above ground pool, every pool needs regular care. Don’t forget to check the water every few days and add chemicals when needed. Clean the surface of the water with a leaf skimmer and run the water pump at least a couple of hours every day. If you want to learn more about pools check out our article All that you need to know about above ground pools.
# 8 A DIY homeowner always cares about plants!
Add mulch to flower beds and plants to help them stay moist and healthy during all hot months. Mulching suppresses weeds and conserves moisture. When spread around trees and shrubs, it also prevents injury from mowers and trimmers.
Ensure the growth and lavish bloom of both perennials and annuals by dead-heading those. Remove spring bulbs with visible dead foliage. If the flower’s leaves are still green, don’t pull them out – the dead leaves will act as mulch to the bulb.
# 9 The clever homeowner always checks for leaks!
With all the watering that happens in summer time, it surely does toll on your water bill. The last you need are leaking taps and hoses wasting even more water. Be a clever DIY homeowner and do your own handyman services. Check and fix all leaking outdoor faucets, before it happens. If you want to learn how to do that be sure to check out our tutorial on How to stop leaks in plumbing joints.
# 10 Plan your watering schedule!
For all your established plants, make a watering schedule to allow water to reach deep to the base of the roots. Water deeply a couple times a week, instead of watering lightly daily.
Follow these simple tips and carry handyman services on your own! Be the proper DIY homeowner and ensure your home gets the comfort and love it deserves!
For every other task that a DIY homeowner can’t do on it’s own, you can check out the Fantastic services!
