When Erin Heger and her husband, Steven, bought their two-story home in Olathe, Kansas, the large trees around it added to its appeal. But when a spring storm sent a deluge overflowing from their gutters shortly after they moved in, they learned the downside: all those leaves clogged the gutters. A deep pool collected around the foundation and shattered a window, unleashing a waterfall into the basement, Erin says.

Since then — opting not to pay for a no-clog gutter system that cost $8,000, according to an estimate they received — Steven has braved his fear of heights to clean the leaves out a few times a year. But when the family received its COVID-19 stimulus check in April 2020, they found a no-clog system on sale for $3,800 and went for it — to protect both their home and their peace of mind.

“My husband is thrilled he doesn't have to clean the gutters himself,” Erin says.

The system is going in over the summer — a good time for homeowners to evaluate what’s working well around the house, what’s not, and to fix or tweak what needs to be fixed or tweaked before fall and winter weather close in.

Giving a home extra attention when the weather is good can help homeowners avoid emergencies — like a waterfall in the basement — months later, says Dan DiClerico, a home expert for a national online home renovation website. From his decades of working in the home-repair industry, DiClerico knows homeowners should always be planning ahead.

“I compare it to Christmas shopping in July,” DiClerico says: getting it done ahead of time is a good idea. 

Outdoor Summer Maintenance

Gutters

If the gutter system — including gutter guards, downspouts and gutter extensions — is working properly, water will flow through and out at least five feet away from the house, DiClerico says.

Start with a visual inspection of the whole system and look for these signs of wear or damage, suggests Kevin Chang, cofounder of a San Francisco Bay Area company that provides year-round home maintenance to roughly 200 homes.

• Pieces that are loose, corroded or pulling away from the house.
• Signs of ground erosion. If the grass has washed away beneath the roof edge, for example, it may indicate that water is splashing down because the gutter system isn’t effective.
• Leaves, twigs and other debris in the gutters.
• Spray water onto the roof to make sure it funnels into the gutter and downspouts. Overflows or slow flow could be signs of obstruction.

Make repairs as needed and clear out debris. (Professional cleaning costs roughly $150, but pricing will vary depending on location and other factors.) Even with gutter guards, debris, silt, mud and mold can still build up, and Chang recommends a thorough cleaning every five years.

Roof

Summer is a good time for homeowners to inspect roofs, inside and outside, to help avoid emergency repairs later. Roofs are generally low maintenance, DiClerico says, but when they need repairs, he recommends calling a professional. DiClerico says binoculars can help homeowners do a visual inspection from ground level, before heading into the attic, and he recommends paying attention to these common signs of roof problems.

• Missing or loose shingles
• Seams where two sections come together, and to flashing, seals around windows, chimneys and other openings.

Inside, check for missing insulation in the attic, and signs of moisture like discoloration or mold in the attic or on ceilings, which could indicate the roof is not watertight. 

Deck

• Inspect the deck for mold, mildew, popped screws and loose boards. Pay close attention to the place where the deck meets the house, the railings and the stairs.
• Jump around and give railings a firm shake. Any softness and wobbling could be signs that the deck needs repairs.
• Scrub the deck with soapy water once per year.
• Clear sealants often need to be applied annually; opaque solid stains may only need to be applied every three to five years. Semi-transparent stains should be reapplied every two or three years, DiClerico says. How do you tell if it’s time to reseal the deck?  DiClerico suggests sprinkling water on the boards. If it beads up, it’s good; if it soaks in, time to reseal.

Paint

A strong coat of paint can be good protection against winter leaks. But too much heat makes it hard for new paint to cure, so exterior paint projects are best done at the beginning or end of the summer, when temperatures and humidity are lower, says DiClierico. His additional painting recommendations:

• The ideal temperature for painting outside is between 50 and 90 degrees.
• Don’t skimp on sanding, scraping, filling and other prep work. They’re the key to a paint job that lasts.
• A good paint job should last 10 years.

If you’re not painting, wash the outside of the house with soapy water and a sturdy bristle brush, he advises. Use a pressure washer sparingly; in DiClerico’s opinion the gentler option is preferable. Pressure washing a roof can damage shingles, he warns. A spray-on roof cleaner will take care of mold or mildew.

Gas Grill

Give it a good cleaning, inside and out. Use a grill scraper or brush to free the grates of burned-on grease and empty the drip tray. Doing this deep clean once a season should be enough, Chang says.

Chang also likes to burn off any remaining grime by putting all burners on high with the lid closed for 15 minutes. He suggests doing this regularly throughout the summer whenever the burners start looking dirty.

READ MORE: The Backyard Disaster That Causes More Than $118 Million in Damage Each Year

Garden

Windows

Vinegar, water and clean, lint-free cloths are all that’s needed to wash off winter grime, says Chang. He recommends starting with the frame, where the most dirt accumulates, and using a foam paint brush to clear hard-to-reach window tracks.

Take down screens (keep track of where they belong), spray them gently and lightly brush with soapy water. Rinse, air dry and rehang. Small tears can be fixed with clear nail polish.

Indoor Summer Maintenance

Attic

If insulation is missing, the attic will heat up — and so will the house. DiClerico suggests checking the insulation for missing pieces or holes, and make sure the attic door or trapdoor is insulated too. Edges where ducts or lights meet ceilings should be sealed with caulk.

Moisture

To determine if a home has a moisture problem, especially in the basement, “your nose is going to be the best first detector,” DiClerico says. Just sniff for a dank, musty smell.

A dehumidifier can help keep moisture within the ideal range of 30 to 50 percent humidity. Many things — including inadequate ventilation, cracked foundations and poor drainage — can contribute to a moist basement, but identifying the cause can be tricky. If a dehumidifier doesn’t reduce moisture or if there are signs of mold, DiClerico recommends calling an HVAC professional for an inspection.

On the main living level, cracked, peeling, discolored or moldy caulking, particularly around the sink, shower and tub, can lead to moisture damage and rot, Chang says. He recommends replacing failing caulking with new waterproof and mold-resistant caulking.

For Big Projects, DIY vs. Hiring a Pro — or Both

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, Daniel Morgan closed on his first house in April and quickly set to work, racing to get the big projects done before the early days of summer gave way to oppressive July and August heat.

He knew his success depended on knowing what to do himself and what to outsource. He chose to tear down a flimsy fence himself but paid for professional installation of the new fence.

He hired a company to open the pool, which “looked like an ecosystem” teeming with bugs and plant life. But he had the professionals walk him through each step of cleaning out the muck, testing the water and adding chemicals so he could do it himself in the future.

Then he paid a neighborhood teen to power wash large swaths of dirty concrete in the double driveway and pool deck. But he resealed the concrete himself.

DiClerico says these big projects can be deceptively time-intensive. Weighing DIY versus hiring a pro usually means a trade-off of time and money.

This summer, Morgan is doing maintenance one step at a time. “You have to take it in doses. If you try to go too deep too fast, you get overwhelmed,” he says.

Written by

Kelly Burch

The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Related articles