Lawn chairs have emerged from hibernation, flowers are in bloom, and the smell of barbecue is in the air—summer is almost here! With all the fun activities filling our weeknight and weekend calendars, carve out a little time to check these easy summer home maintenance to-dos off your list to keep your home in tip-top shape for the best season of the year.
Pressure wash siding and walkways
Why
Wet winters do a number on driveways, decks, and siding. Concrete builds up dirt and grime, deck surfaces sprout patches of moss, and siding can collect pollen come springtime.
An easy (and incredibly satisfying) way to slice through all that moss and grime is with a good power-washing. Power washers are readily available to rent or purchase; or, you can hire a professional to do the job.
When (and how often)
We recommend giving your home’s sides and surfaces a good wash twice a year—once before winter and once after. Since spring is typically wet here in Washington, those first few weeks of summer tend to be the perfect pressure-washing window.
How
If you’re doing the washing yourself, be sure to pay attention to the pressure setting of your machine. It’s tempting to go for high pressure to make the job quick and thorough, but too much pressure can damage almost any surface and can set you up for a lot more work. In other words—you might start out thinking you’re doing a quick maintenance job and end up having to sand and restain or repaint a surface. Always use low pressure and take a few passes over each area for a thorough cleaning.
Also—be careful around windows and doors. Remove window and door screens (pressure washing will rip through them), ensure they’re tightly closed, and use low pressure so as not to break or damage them. We recommend watching a YouTube tutorial beforehand.
Paint your home exterior
Why
A fresh coat of exterior paint doesn’t just upgrade your home aesthetically—it’s an added layer of protection against damage from weather, insects, and dust, and can even help protect exterior wood from rotting.
When (and how often)
In the Pacific Northwest, summer is undisputedly the best time to apply exterior paint. Whether you’re doing the job yourself or hiring a professional, you’ll want to plan ahead. We recommend getting all the prep work done, then waiting for a sunny week to begin painting.
Generally, we recommend repainting your home every five to 10 years. This number will fluctuate depending on the climate you’re in and the craftsmanship of the paint job. Better quality paint will give you a longer lifespan, while lower quality paint will require more frequent coats.
To determine whether your home is ready for a new coat of paint, look for any areas with cracked caulking, gaps between siding and door or window frames, chipping, or fading.
How
Painting a home exterior is a tedious job that requires a lot of time, tools, and skill to produce successful results. We strongly recommend leaving this job to the professionals; however, it is possible to get good results if you follow best practices and do your prep work.
First, you’ll pressure-wash your home to clean off dirt and debris; then, scrape off any loose paint. Replace any rotting wood and fill holes with a surface repair product, re-caulk windows and doors, and prime any bare wood or stains before going in with the first coat.
Clean drain traps
Why
Drain traps (the J-shaped segment of the pipe underneath the sink) collect debris over time, which causes clogs and impedes water flow. Both your kitchen and bathroom sinks see the most use and should be cleaned regularly to keep water flowing properly.
When (and how often)
We recommend cleaning drain traps at least once per year—even if there's no noticeable slow in water drainage. Keeping the trap clean helps ensure your hardware is in good condition and your sink is flowing properly.
How
Cleaning drain traps is easy, and you can likely find success yourself. We like the baking soda approach as a first step: Pour a handful of baking soda down the drain, then follow with a mixture of equal parts hot water and distilled vinegar. Let sit for about thirty minutes, then run the sink.
If that doesn’t work, you probably have a larger clog. In this case, place a bucket below the trap (this will catch any water or debris that might come out).
Loosen the joint nuts on either side of the curve of the trap (you may need a wrench for this part). Remove the trap, then rinse it with hot water until it runs through. You can also use a pipe cleaner or bottle brush to scrub the inside walls.
Make DIY citronella candles
Why
Citronella candles add ambiance to an outdoor living area and keep mosquitoes at bay—and are essentially the official scent of summer. Most citronella candles you find in stores come in metal buckets, so we created our own version with a Dunn DIY twist.
When (and how often)
There’s no right or wrong time to create candles! But we do recommend setting aside a few hours for the full process.
How
The entire project can be broken into two steps: first, make the wood candleholder; then, set the candle. Check out the project plan below for the full how-to!
Repair or replace fencing
Why
Wood fences require regular maintenance, especially in our rainy climate. If you stay on top of maintenance, repairs can be as simple as replacing a board or two. If damage goes unrepaired, it can result in needing to replace the entire fence.
When (and how often)
A well-constructed fence can last up to a decade or more—but ultimately, rust, rot, sagging, or wobbling will determine when you need to repair or replace a fence.
How
From replacing a single post to rebuilding the entire fence, we have several DIY tutorials to help you breathe new life into all or part of your fence:
- When To Repair a Gate
- How To Replace a Fence Gate
- How To Replace Wooden Fence Posts
- How To Prolong the Life of Your Fence with LifeTime Wood Treatment
- How To Refresh a Cedar Fence With Wet & Forget
- How To Build a DIY Vertical Fence
Refinish your deck
Why
Deck maintenance is like sunscreen—if you wait to see a sunburn, applying sunscreen won’t help much. But if you apply before going out into the sun, you’ll spare yourself discomfort. In the same way, your deck needs protection from the elements and will last the longest if you reapply that coverage before it’s worn away.
When (and how often)
As we said above, the best time to refinish your deck is before it looks like it needs a fresh finish. In our wet climate, we recommend restaining every two or three years to keep decks in good condition and prolong their lifespan.
How
Refinishing a deck doesn’t have to be a headache—in fact, it can actually be relatively simple. This step-by-step guide to deck refinishing tutorial is perfect for a weekend DIY project.
Clean and stain outdoor furniture
Why
If you have wood outdoor furniture, it’s important to protect it from moisture and sun. Whether brand new or well-used, staining the surface will prolong the life of your furniture for years to come.
When (and how often)
To keep outdoor furniture in good condition, it’s wise to clean each season and restain at least once a year.
How
If you’re restaining an old and weathered piece of furniture, your first step will be giving it a good scrub:
How To Refinish a Weathered Bench
For newer furniture, you can jump straight into staining:
Your Guide To Choosing the Right Exterior Stain
Dust ceiling fans
Why
Ceiling fans are magnets for dust and grime, especially if they’re located in or near the kitchen. Cleaning them might seem straightforward—until you start getting dust all over the place, making another mess to clean up.
When (and how often)
We recommend dusting your fan regularly and giving it a good clean two or three times a year.
How
Grab a ladder and an old pillowcase. Carefully slip the pillowcase over a fan blade, then wipe the dust off and into the case by sliding the pillowcase off. Repeat to clean all the blades.
Next, clean the motor and light bulbs with a microfiber cloth. You can also use compressed air to remove dust trapped in crevices. If your ceiling fan has a dome light attached, remove the dome and clean it with warm water and soap.
For more seasonal home maintenance, check out our winter, fall, and spring home maintenance guides.
