Your Home Summer Maintenance Checklist

After a long, cold winter we always look forward to the longer, warmer days of summer. We get to shed our layers and enjoy the outdoors and our backyards but it also allows us to do those outside projects like refinishing the deck, building a fence or tackling an outdoor painting project. Here are a few summer house tasks that should be on your summer checklist for home maintenance:

#1 Replace Your Furnace Filters This Summer

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Summertime means warmer weather. Our summers can be downright hot, and that means running your AC frequently. Make sure you get your furnace serviced regularly. It will help keep the air in your home healthy and clean and use HEPA filters to help reduce allergy symptoms too. Preventative maintenance in the summertime is important. I recommend washable filters, much better for your wallet and the landfill.

If you have an ERV or HRV, proper maintenance should also be conducted at the start of the summer season.

Summer is also a great time to inspect and clean your home’s ventilation systems. A properly maintained Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), such as a Panasonic ERV, can help improve indoor air quality by bringing fresh air into the home while exhausting stale air. Don’t forget to check and replace ERV filters according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

If you don’t have central air make sure your window air conditioner units are installed and working properly for the warmer months ahead.

 

#2 Use Ceiling Fans For Cooling 

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A great way to stay cool is the use of fans or ceiling fans. Fans don’t make the air any cooler but they will keep your family and pets cooler with the movement of air. In the warm summer months, ceiling fans should be running counterclockwise allowing the air to be pushed down. A ceiling fan, in conjunction, with your AC, can help keep your thermostat a little higher, by providing that extra circulation you need to make you feel cool.

Good airflow is about more than comfort. Proper ventilation helps reduce excess humidity, improve indoor air quality, and reduce the risk of moisture-related issues. Consider installing high-performance Panasonic ventilation fans in bathrooms and laundry areas to help manage moisture during the warmer months.

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#3 Stop Pests From Becoming Uninvited Houseguests This Summer

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Summertime is when most insects make their way indoors looking for cooler places to make their homes. The longer summer days and shorter nights mean more hours of sunlight in a day giving many pests more time to feed.

Check the exterior of your home for these possible entry points for pests:

• Holes or cracks around window and door frames
• Holes in venting
• Tears in window and door screens
• Cracks in foundations, especially below windows and doorsteps. If the crack in your foundation is smaller than a dime, use an injection repair kit.

While you’re inspecting your home’s exterior, take a close look at your siding. Cracked caulking, damaged cladding, or gaps around windows and doors can allow both pests and moisture to enter your home. Products like Elite Cladding™ Premium Cellular PVC Siding are designed to provide long-lasting protection against the elements while reducing maintenance requirements.

 

Which insect is most prevalent in summer?

Common insects are houseflies and mosquitos, but also don’t forget bees and wasps. Watch out for insect wings. A cluster of wings around the exterior of your home could mean you have termites.

Termites have wings and drop them once they’ve found a good place to nest. Any gaps should be sealed with rubberized exterior caulking.  Any larger gaps can be filled with low expanding polyurethane foam and small cracks in the foundation can be filled with epoxy injection.

Torn window screens should be repaired or replaced. If you have any visible gaps in your mortar or loose bricks (also known as tuck-pointing) get them refilled and seek a professional, as this is a special skill that needs to be done properly.

#4 Conserve Water In The Summer

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In the summer we tend to use more water for watering lawns, cleaning our decks, washing cars, etc. But all these things could use recycled rainwater or greywater and not clean drinking water.

Consider adding several rain barrels that collect the rainwater run-off from your roof and through your gutters. Rain barrels prevent water from entering storm drains, thus decreasing the risk of flooding, and helping prevent water from seeping into your foundation. It’s also ideal for watering your garden or lawn and washing your car.

Your gutters also play an important role in water management. Keeping gutters clear helps direct rainwater away from your foundation and into rain barrels where applicable. Gutter protection systems like LeafFilter can help reduce debris buildup and maintain proper water flow during summer storms.

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Consider Greywater Systems

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Recycled greywater systems use wastewater from showers, baths, basins, washing machines and dishwashers, not toilet water. Greywater systems are becoming more popular but still can be an expensive investment. Check with your local municipality about guidelines and restrictions.

#5 Check for Mold

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That musty smell in your basement, crawlspace, or attic is the indication of moisture and/or mold. In fact, that smell is mold “digesting”. Finding the source of the moisture and fixing it is key, whether it is a crack in the foundation, a drain backup, a leaky roof, or leaky pipe.

One of the best ways to prevent mould growth is to control moisture before it becomes a problem. Proper ventilation, including the use of ERVs and high-performance bathroom exhaust fans, helps reduce humidity levels and improve indoor air quality throughout the home.

Mold will continue to grow if the source (water) is not found and fixed. Read my article on humidity if you want to learn more about humidity inside your house.

Use safety gear such as eyewear, respirator, and gloves. Do not use bleach! You can also get a home inspector to test your home for mold.

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#6 Inspect Your Driveway

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Our hard winters and extreme temperature fluctuations can wreak havoc on our driveways. For small holes and cracks on concrete driveways, you can fill cracks with a cement repair product.

For deeper cracks or sunken holes seek a professional as there may be a more serious problem that needs addressing.

Also, take the time to check out your patio space, and look out for missing or damaged bricks or stones. If your patio is concrete it might need sealing.

If you’re planning a backyard upgrade this summer, temporary outdoor spaces and patio enclosures can also help you get more enjoyment from your property. Innovative building solutions like EZblocks can be used to create durable outdoor structures for entertaining and seasonal use.

#7 Inspect Your Roof, Gutters and Exterior

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Summer is the perfect time to inspect your roof and exterior for signs of wear and damage. Look for:

• Missing or damaged shingles
• Clogged gutters
• Loose flashing
• Water staining
• Signs of algae or moss growth

Keeping your gutters clear is essential for directing water away from your foundation. Gutter protection systems like LeafFilter can help reduce debris accumulation and improve water flow.

If you’re replacing your roof or considering future upgrades, ask your roofing contractor about products featuring Scotchgard™ Protector with 3M technology, which can help resist black streaks caused by algae and maintain curb appeal longer.

#8 Organize Home Maintenance Records

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Summer is also a great time to organize your home maintenance records, warranties, inspection reports, and renovation documents.

Digital property documentation tools such as iGUIDE can provide accurate floor plans, measurements, and visual records of your home, making future renovations, insurance claims, and property sales much easier.

Homeowners working with contractors should also ensure all maintenance and service records are documented and tracked. Many professional contractors use platforms like Service Fusion to manage service histories, maintenance schedules, and customer communication, helping projects stay organized from start to finish.

Summer is also a popular time for indoor renovation projects. If you’re considering a kitchen upgrade, focus on quality cabinetry, durable materials, and smart storage solutions. Well-built custom cabinetry, such as Milmonde Kitchens, can help improve both the function and value of your home.

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