Home Maintenance Checklist

Now is the time to embrace the warm days outside. Whether you’re opening up your lake house for the season, heading to your beach house, or just planning to entertain at home, now’s the time to get your house ready for summer.

Here’s a home maintenance checklist for those seasonal to-dos, so you can enjoy the remainder of those sunny summertime days and balmy evenings.

Check your air conditioner

Midsummer temperatures can be sweltering both indoors and outside. Whether you have window units or a built-in HVAC, you’ll want to make sure they’re ready to provide you and your houseguests relief from the heat:

• Remove all dust and dirt from the top of the window unit and the coils.

• Wash any filters, and straighten any bent fins.

• Check seals or weatherstripping around your window unit.

• Get a tuneup on your HVAC units before the height of the season. A specialist can inspect and clean all parts of your system.

• Change air filters on a regular basis.

• Keep dead leaves, grass, and other debris away from your outdoor AC components.

• Install a smart thermostat to keep your house cool and comfortable, while saving you money whether you’re home or away.

Clean exterior areas

Keep all surfaces of your home’s exterior in peak condition by giving them a good clean.

• Use a soft-bristle brush, mild detergent, and water to spot-clean your outdoor dining set or those synthetic wicker outdoor furnishings.

• Pressure-wash your home, driveway, patios, decks, and outdoor furnishings. Check manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you’re using an appropriate pressure for each item.

• Clean gutters on your home before those afternoon summer showers set in.

• Spot-clean any outdoor upholstery, such as those chaise cushions or patio umbrellas.

• Replace any rotted wood or cracked patios.

• Finish your deck or patio with a waterproof sealer.

• Clean your grill and fire pit. Wondering how to clean your BBQ grill? Remove any ashes, clean grates with a stiff wire brush, get rid of rust by oiling grill grates, and wipe the rest down with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

• Touch up spots that need paint, whether on the sides of your home, your front door, or that iron patio set.

• Wash and rinse window screens or screened-in porch panels.

• Clean windows, inside and out, and inspect the seals and framing. Caulk or reseal as needed, or hire a professional for window leak repair.

Get your pool or spa season-ready

Do you spend most of the summer lounging poolside at your summer house? Keep your pool in pristine condition so you and your family can enjoy the cool, sparkling water.

• Get your pool inspected, and address any pump or drain issues.

• Maintain optimal pH levels to keep the water clean and comfortable for swimmers.

• Make sure you have plenty of chemicals or salt, a good vacuum, skimmer, and brushes for the season, especially if you’re not using a professional pool company for maintenance.

• Keep the pool area fenced, and add layers of protection to keep the area safe for all members of your family.

• Make sure all pool alarms are in good working order.

Check all safety features

Your home security system and all its features protect your property and your family year-round. Summer is a great time to take inventory of your system, especially if you’ll be away on vacation.

• Check latches, and make any repairs to gates or fences, particularly around a pool.

• Inspect your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Gently wipe pollen and dirt off all outdoor security cameras and motion sensors.

• Replace any exterior lights.

Get your yard in order and get rid of bugs

Everything is beginning to green up and bloom. That also means bugs will come to your home for a backyard feast.

• Weed beds regularly.

• Hire a lawn service, or go the DIY route to keep your yard in tip-top condition.

• Consider mulching your flower beds to help them retain moisture during exceptionally hot days.

• Make sure bushes are trimmed, particularly around your home’s entry points.

• Enlist a mosquito service to protect your yard.

• Make sure cracks are sealed so ants don’t make their way inside.

• Use natural bug-repelling strategies, like citronella plants in your landscaping.

• Regularly check for ticks on your family and pets.

• Hire a pest control service to check for termites and spray for any other bugs, like roaches.

Learn more about how to get maximum protection — and enjoyment — from your home all season long by exploring the Brinks Home™ Smart Center Blog.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.