New construction homes are a great choice for homebuyers who don’t want to do expensive home repairs, as they don’t carry the same frequent repairs and updates as resale homes. A small amount of seasonal home maintenance keeps your new home looking as great as the day you closed. What better time than summer to complete these easy takes inside and outside your home?
Read on to see MN Custom Homes’ summer home maintenance checklist.
Summer Lawn and Garden Maintenance
Fertilize Landscaping
Landscape fertilizing is recommended five times a year in February, April, June, August, and October.
Aerate and fertilize the lawn to loosen the soil, improve your lawn’s drainage, and allow nutrients to reach your grass’s roots. This task helps your lawn stay green and reduces weeds. Lawn aeration is a major task best done by a certified landscaper in the early Summer.
Spread Mulch
Pull weeds in planter areas and spread fresh bark/mulch. By spreading several inches of mulch, you can prevent widespread weed growth and keep your plants cool in the summer heat.
Prune Trees
Trim any trees or shrubs away from the house. Pruning trees in the summer by removing water sprouts and suckers from the tree’s rootstock helps suppress growth.
Check Irrigation System
Your lawn needs more water in the summer and built-in irrigation systems make watering your yard a low-maintenance task. Turn on and test the lawn irrigation system and set a watering schedule. Check sprinkler heads to make sure there are no signs of broken underground pipes if the system wasn’t winterized. Remember to make sure the irrigation system doesn’t spray your house or get into foundation vents.
Summer Outdoor Home Maintenance
Inspect Your Deck
Before hosting deck parties this summer, you’ll want to inspect your deck for damage, as maintaining your deck yearly will prolong its lifespan. Consider re-sealing or painting your deck if needed during the summer. Only restain decks when the temperature is 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit and will stay dry for 24-48 hours.
It is time to restain your deck if:
- The stain is fading
- Water soaks into the wood instead of beading up
- You can see signs of mold or mildew
Do a DIY AC Unit Check
A check on your AC Unit is a must to get your home and family ready for the summer heat. Inspect the area around your outdoor AC unit for tall grass, weeds, or shrubs that may impact the unit’s efficiency, and trim or sweep any debris away from the unit. If any part of the unit looks damaged, call an AC professional for servicing.
Open Garage Hose Bib Shut-off Valve
Water spigots are turned off in late fall to prevent frozen pipes and later turned back on in the spring to use your hose and other outdoor water. Summer is a great time to open it for hose and outdoor water access if your hose bib shut-off valve hasn’t been turned on yet.
Check In The crawlspace
Inspect the crawlspace for any signs of water intrusion from heavy rains. If you see standing water, get a sump pump for your crawl space to remove water and help keep things dry under your home.
Clean The Gutters
Clean gutters in the summer around Labor Day to prepare for fall storms. Cleaning gutters regularly can help to prevent issues like:
- Mold growth
- Sagging gutters
- Moisture in basements
- Roof leaks
Indoor Summer Home Maintenance
Wash Windows
Deep clean your windows by removing the inner sash to get deep into hard-to-reach areas. Consider hiring a professional for high windows in two-story great rooms.
Switch Ceiling Fan Blade Direction
Switch your ceiling fan blade direction to counterclockwise to help move the air downwards and cool the air in your home. While you’re changing your fan’s direction, dust the fan blades and tighten any loose screws.
Clean Dryer Vents
Clean dryer vents twice a year to prevent fire caused by lint.
It’s time to clean your dryer vents if:
- Clothes take longer to dry
- Clothes come out hotter than normal
- The dryer’s external cabinet or control area is hotter than usual
- There’s a burning smell while the dryer is running
- Lint buildup is visible around the dryer’s lint trap or vent opening
- Debris around the dryer hose
- The vent hood flap doesn’t open properly
Enjoy the Luxury of Minimal Maintenance with a New Construction Home
Luxury, new construction MN Custom Homes are low maintenance. Get started by browsing our move-in ready and presale homes or head to our presales page to learn how you can build your dream custom home.