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summer maintenance schedule

 

Summer Maintenance Schedule

• Inspect locks on doors and windows
  Make sure your home is safe and secure. Oil any testy locks and install a home security system if desired. Consider installing outdoor lighting to increase security.
• Inspect for termites and other pests
  Inspect the basement or crawl space, eaves, and attic for termites, carpenter ants, and other wood pests. If you see signs of wood damage, call a professional exterminator. Look under the eaves for wasp or hornet nests. Handle wasp or hornet nests with care and call in a professional if necessary.
• Primp patios and porches
  Clean the barbecue and hose down brick or concrete patio surfaces. Replace any broken bricks; patch concrete cracks. Wash outdoor or screened-in porch floors. Plant annuals in pots, or replant existing planters. Oil patio doors. Bring out patio or porch furniture.
• Complete painting projects
  If you're painting your house yourself, rent a power washer and wash your house first. Scrape off crumbling paint, smooth rough areas with sandpaper, and fill in damaged areas with wood putty. Choose the best paint you can afford. Schedule interior painting projects, too; warm temperatures allow for ventilation and quick drying times.
• Build or repair fences
  Repair any damaged areas of existing fencing and refinish as necessary. If you're building a new fence, get at least three bids and look carefully at the increasing variety of fencing materials. Make sure your fence abides by local codes and doesn't encroach on neighboring properties.
• Inspect siding
  Check siding and trim around windows and doors for holes, dents, and gaps. Repair with wood filler or according to manufacturer's instructions. If your home's siding needs to be replaced entirely, summer is the best time for this one- to two-week project.
• Replace your roof
  If you need a new roof, have it installed during summer's warm, dry weather. Consider fire-resistant roof material if you live in an area prone to wildfire and your current roof is not fireproof.
• Repair and seal driveways
  Renew the surface of asphalt driveways with sealer. Repair damage to concrete driveways as soon as possible (this project may require a professional).

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