The summer of 2021 was the hottest summer for the past 126 years for 48 US States, as reported by NOAA. The average temperature from June to August was recorded at 74 degrees, indicating a 2.6-degrees increase from the average summertime temperature. While most Americans will prefer to stay in the comforts of their homes, some will take advantage of the summer heat to do yard and exterior home maintenance tasks. Summer is the best time to keep your home functioning and ready for the other seasons’ elements. Here are the yard and exterior maintenance activities that you can do during the hot summer months.
Maintaining Your Roof and Gutters
Heavy snowfall during the winter months may damage your roof since the weight of the snow may cause parts of your roof to buckle. Therefore, it is essential to check your roof for any damages sustained during the cold season, and summer is the best time for that. Likewise, the summer heat can also affect the integrity of your roof. High temperatures and UV radiation can weaken and crack wooden parts of your roof, buckle and split asphalt shingles, and dissipate oils in your roofing materials. Heavy rains and winds from the occasional summer storms can also cause damages to your roof. Check your roof for discolored, broken, or missing shingles during the summer months. These signs will indicate that your roof needs urgent repair. Likewise, Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning recommends checking your gutters if they are full of leaves and other debris, which can weigh them down and pull them away from your home’s exterior frame.
Maintaining the Aesthetics of Your Exterior Walls
Summer is also the best time for rejuvenating the look of your home’s exterior walls. Check to see if the color of your exterior paint looks brand new. If the color has faded, try power washing to get rid of the accumulated dirt. If it has been years since you’ve last painted your external walls, applying a fresh coat of paint to them will significantly increase your home’s curbside appeal.
If you have been noticing that your home’s exterior looks the same as it did years ago, it is time to change the color of your house.
Keeping Your Yard Healthy
Summertime is also the right time to manage your lawn. During these months, the extra amount of sun can be beneficial to some plants, while it can be harmful to others. Plants that don’t need too much sun can be replanted in a shady area, or you can create some shade to protect them from the sun’s rays. Summer is also the time when insects and pests may come into your yard in full force. Insects such as June bugs and European chafers will eat your grass, producing bald patches in your otherwise green lawn. If they are left unattended, they may lay eggs that will hatch into grubs that may further destroy your grass. Your summer yard work should include controlling the onslaught of these summer insects to keep your yard looking green.
It can be a challenge to keep our yards looking beautiful throughout the summer, but it really doesn’t have to be that difficult. First, mow your lawn regularly so that it’s nice and neat. Next, trim your bushes and hedges so they’re well-shaped. Also, make sure to water your garden regularly. It’s best to water it in the morning so that it’s not as hot out. Finally, make sure to check for pests and weeds regularly.
Taking advantage of the summer heat to check for roof and gutter damages, reinvigorate your external walls, and maintain your yard will do wonders for your home. Making a habit of doing maintenance work during the summer months will ensure that your home will last for many years.
