Before you know it, summer will be upon us and we can hopefully relax and enjoy our homes. Summer should be the time of year to entertain, barbecue and have backyard parties. In order to have peace of mind during this relaxing season it’s a good idea to tackle most or all of the following maintenance projects before summer. For the sake of brevity I’ve created a list of easy, inexpensive, mostly do-it-yourself projects that aren’t too extensive. Here’s what to do before summer: 

1)     Clean out the lint in your dryer vents.

2)     Make sure all gutters are clean and have leaders pointing away from the foundation.

3)     Have your HVAC company check your AC system and ventilation system.

4)     Get your air ducts cleaned.

5)     Power wash driveway, walkway and sides of the house.

6)     Mulch your garden wherever you are planting flowers to minimize weed growth.

7)     Re-caulk doors and windows.

8)     Clean the refrigerator coils and stove exhaust hoods.

9)     Check washing machine hoses (split hoses are a common cause of house flooding).

10)  Hose down outdoor furniture.

11)  Deep clean rust from your BBQ grill.

12)  Fix or replace any damaged screens.

13)  Check or add security lights.

14)  Prune branches and shrubs.

15)  If you have a pool, service filter, heater and pump for the season.

16)  Touch up paint around the house or add a fresh coat to the front door.

17)  Check batteries for smoke and CO2 alarms.

18)  Drain out hot water heater.

Now that you’re done, pour yourself a cold drink, relax and enjoy the summer – you’ve earned it!