Summer Home Maintenance

In a perfect world, we'd all have our outdoor home maintenance wrapped up in the spring before summer officially arrives.

The landscaping would be mulched.
The trees would be trimmed.
The gutters would be cleaned.
Everything would be checked off the list.

But if we're being honest? That's just not how real life works.

Between work, family, sports schedules, vacations, and simply wanting to enjoy summer, tackling every outdoor project before Memorial Day isn't realistic for most homeowners.

Personally, I like to break maintenance into smaller chunks throughout the season. Instead of staring at one giant list that feels overwhelming, I focus on a few projects at a time. Not only does it feel more manageable, but it also helps ensure the important things actually get done.

A few things we're paying attention to at our house this summer might surprise you.

Keep an Eye on Large Trees Near Structures

We love mature trees.

They provide shade, privacy, and so much character to a property.

But large trees growing close to garages, sheds, homes, and other structures deserve regular attention.

It's easy to ignore a tree when it still looks “small enough,” but trees have a way of quietly becoming much larger before you realize it. What starts as a manageable sapling can eventually create issues with foundations, roofing, siding, power lines, and even underground utilities.

If you're questioning whether a tree is getting too large for its location, it's worth consulting an arborist sooner rather than later. Removing or managing a tree early is often far less expensive and far less stressful than waiting until it becomes a problem.

Bird Feeders Might Be Causing More Work Than You Think

This one came as a surprise to me.

I thought I had our bird feeders placed in the perfect spots.

The birds were happy.
I was happy.
Everything seemed great.

Then I started noticing something growing throughout our rock landscaping.

The culprit? Bird seed.

The seeds falling from the feeders had started sprouting throughout the landscaping beds, creating a constant weeding project where I definitely didn't want one.

Now we're reevaluating feeder placement and looking for locations that won't turn into accidental gardens.

It's a small thing, but it's a great reminder that even the most well-intentioned additions to our outdoor spaces can create maintenance headaches if we're not paying attention.

Check Caulking Around Exterior Doors and Windows

 Summer is a great time to walk around your home and inspect caulking around windows, doors, and trim.

Cracked or missing caulk allows moisture and insects to find their way into places they shouldn't be. A quick tube of caulk now can prevent much larger repairs down the road.

Watch for Water Drainage Issues

 After a heavy summer rain, take a few minutes to walk your property.

Are there areas where water is pooling near your foundation?
Are downspouts directing water away from the house?
Do you notice erosion developing around landscaping beds?

Water has a way of exposing problems before we notice them otherwise. Summer storms provide a great opportunity to see how your property is handling drainage.