Summer is probably the most anticipated season of them all, as it gives you the opportunity to spend much more time outdoors, enjoying the company of your family, friends, and vitamin D. Thus, it is essential to take care of your house and area around it if you want to make it a welcoming place for cookout parties in the backyard or a perfect getaway spot in the garden.

In this article, you will find seven tips that will help you prepare your house for summer, ranging from garage declutter, updating outside furniture, and deep cleaning the grill to refinishing the deck, adding outdoor lighting, and repainting the fences, among other things. Read on and make the most out of your summer!

Summer HousePhoto credit: Pexels

Garage Declutter

The garage is an essential part of the house that tends to get neglected during the winter. However, once it gets warmer, cleaning it from clutter is necessary for making enough room for summer activities’ equipment and gardening tools.

Start with cleaning out your garage and throwing away stuff you don’t need anymore. Make sure to organize your garage and utilize its space efficiently. For example, you can find overhead ceiling racks for garage storage – they are perfect for storing off-season items and sports equipment without taking any floor space.

One thing is certain: once you get rid of the clutter, you will have more space to do more things. Don’t forget to take care of the garage floor by cleaning it thoroughly and adding a fresh coat of paint.

Updating Outside Furniture

Another way to make your house more inviting this summer is by giving a fresh look to your outdoor furniture. Outdated furniture can be really uncomfortable, and it might not provide the best support if you plan on spending a lot of time outside during the summer season. You may want to repaint your current outdoor furniture pieces, look for secondhand items, or opt for a brand new set of furniture.

If you are interested in purchasing new outdoor seating furniture, look for ones made of lightweight materials, such as resin, aluminum, or fiberglass. Also, look for sets that come in several easy to assemble and disassemble pieces and have comfortable cushions that do not fade in the sun. Moreover, it would be better to opt for pieces that come with UV-resistant fabric that will last longer compared to regular outdoor furniture fabrics.

Deep Cleaning the Grill

Most grill owners will agree that grills are prone to rust. To avoid rusting, never leave your grill outdoors without covering it. This way, you will preserve your grill for many years to come. Moreover, it is essential to deep clean your grill every spring and every fall to function properly and cook food without emitting smoke. Also, check all bolts on your grill to ensure that they are tightly secured since loose bolts may result in messy fires.

It is essential to clean your grill after each use to remain in good condition for a long time. Also, cleaning the grill regularly ensures that food will cook more evenly, prevents burning, allowing you to char the foods. If you haven’t cleaned your grill for a long time, caked-up grease, cooking residues, and grease spatters are likely to be stuck on your grill.

To clean your grill properly, you can follow these steps:

  1. Disconnect the propane tank from the grill and make sure that all burners are turned off.
  2. Soak your grill grates in a mixture of hot water and mild dish detergent for 10 minutes.
  3. Scrub the grates with a wire brush while they are still submerged in water.
  4. Next, soak them again for another 10 minutes before scrubbing them with a stiff bristle brush.
  5. Rinse the grates with warm water and wipe them dry with paper towels.

Also, keep in mind that to prevent rusting of the grates, be sure to store them properly – in a dry area, such as a storage shed or garage – after cleaning.

Repairing Deck Flooring and Refinishing It

If you own a deck, you probably know how important it is to pay attention to the floorboards and deck boards. If they are not properly maintained, they can fall apart and start rotting, making the deck unsafe. To avoid this, make sure you check the screws and nails that hold your deck together every year. Moreover, if you notice that something is not right, do not hesitate to call a professional for help.

You can also update the look of your deck by repainting the floorboards or adding new floorboards to make your patio more attractive.

If you want to enjoy relaxing on your deck during summer, investing in deck restraining is absolutely necessary. Strains are used to keep decks protect wooden decks from increased exposure to the sun and during bad weather conditions and high winds.

When choosing the strain for refinishing the deck, you will have to decide between water-based and oil-based options. The first one is a more cost-effective solution, but the latter soaks into the wood fibers more thoroughly and lasts longer.

Deck Maintenance

Adding Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is an excellent way not only to create the atmosphere but also to enhance safety. Therefore, consider installing outdoor lighting that includes motion sensors and outdoor spotlights to illuminate dark areas near your house. Moreover, such lighting can also make your home look more attractive and appealing to potential buyers or tenants.

Repainting and Repairing the Fences

Fences are critical when it comes to keeping children and pets safe and restraining dogs from running away. Therefore, if the fence around your property is damaged or cracked, it might be time to repair it this summer.

You should also repaint fences every 3-5 years to stay strong and durable for many years to come. Also, repainting fences means you get the opportunity to choose a color or design that will perfectly match your house’s exterior design.

Gutter Cleaning and Maintenance

When summer comes around, you probably spend more time on the porch than inside the house, which means you spend a lot of time under the gutter system of your house. If you are in charge of maintaining the gutters yourself, here are some tips that will help you keep them nice and clean this summer:

  • Use a telescoping or extendable gutter cleaning rod. These rods allow you to clean narrow gutters without having to work with a ladder. Also, always clean leaf debris out of gutters regularly since leaves can clog them and make them overflow unexpectedly.
  • Regularly check for structural damage on gutters.
  • Keep trees pruned around your house because they can block gutters from functioning properly.
  • Make sure there is no debris blocking downspouts.
  • Check downspouts for leaks.
  • Always use the right ladder when working on your gutters.
  • Use gutter guards which prevent leaves from clogging up gutters.

In Conclusion

Thoroughly preparing for the summer season will allow you to spend much more time outdoors worry-free and ensure safety for you, your family members, and guests. Besides, many of the tasks mentioned above will positively affect your home’s curb appeal, increasing its overall value.

Make sure to allocate enough time to put your garage and deck in order, take care of the gutter system, and arrange a cookout area for barbeque parties. And remember to have fun this summer!

Published in: Home advice | Author: Lynn

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