End-Of-Summer Homeowner Checklist
Many homeowners dread the end of summer, so you’re not alone if you feel that way. Preparing for cold weather and saying goodbye to colorful flowers can be challenging. However, you can make this transition easier if you follow a simple end-of-summer homeowner checklist.
Prune your bushes and trees and clean up your landscaping at the end of the summer to encourage healthy growth when the spring comes. Replace your air filters and hire an HVAC technician to tune up your AC and furnace before fall begins. This is a great time to clean your gutters, insulate your pipes, and seal your doors before it gets cold.
It’s also a great time to clean and cover your grill to protect it from the elements. Follow along as we highlight 10 essential chores for your end-of-summer homeowner checklist.
10 End-of-Summer Maintenance Tips
1. Clean Your Yard
It’s sad for many homeowners to watch their yards and gardens become less vibrant as summer ends. That said, you can reap the benefits of a beautiful fall season if you tidy up your yard before everything goes dormant. This is the best way to encourage healthy growth when spring returns after fall and winter.
Trim your bushes and dead plants and tidy up your flower beds. It’s also important to prune your trees in case branches fall in your yard or on your roof d uring the fall. You can also plant many beautiful flowers at the end of the summer, such as penstemons and chrysanthemums.
Don’t give up on mowing your lawn at the end of the summer quite yet. You may not need to mow it as often, but lawns can continue to grow well into fall in some climates. Some homeowners even mow their lawns for the last time before the first frost of the year.
2. Seal Your Doors
It’s no secret that bugs like to sneak into people’s houses at the end of the summer when temperatures drop. They seek warmth and water, and they think that your home is a great source of both. You can make this nearly impossible for them if you add weatherstripping to your doors.
This will also come in handy when you turn the furnace on, as your energy bills won't be so high. Weatherstripping keeps warm air in and cold air out, so you won’t have to crank the furnace. Vinyl and foam weatherstripping typically costs under $10 and it’s easy to install.
3. Replace HVAC Filters
Undoubtedly, the summer can strain your HVAC system. Everything from dead skin and dust to pet hair and dirt passes through air filters as your AC runs. That’s why it’s important to replace your HVAC filters at the end of the summer before fall begins.
HVAC technicians typically recommend that you change your air filter once every 3 months or as needed. Ideally, a fresh air filter should last throughout the summer, but it will be ready to be changed by September. Check the filter size before you replace it to make sure it fits your system. Pick up a few extra filters as well, so you can replace them throughout the fall and winter.
4. Clean Your Gutters
Gutters take a beating throughout the year, and that’s why you must typically clean them twice per year. The end of the summer is the perfect time to clean them before the weather gets too cold and rainy. Clogged gutters are ineffective and can cause water to leak through your roof.
Even worse, clogged gutters can cause foundation damage in extreme cases. Thoroughly clean your gutters and remove debris that would obstruct them. That said, you may want to hire a professional service, as cleaning gutters can be dangerous. You must get on a ladder, and that is best done by professionals if you’re inexperienced.
5. Insulate Your Pipes
Temperatures sometimes drop quickly as summer ends, and this can take a toll on the pipes in your home. Frozen pipes can cost thousands of dollars in water damage, and this often happens because they aren’t properly insulated. The water within your pipes freezes and expands so much that the pipes can burst.
It’s a great idea to insulate your pipes before fall begins so you can avoid unexpected expenses and damage. You can expect to spend between $1.25 and $12 per linear foot to insulate your pipes. This is a small investment that can protect your floors, walls, and foundation.
6. Bring Plants Inside
Are you attached to some plants that you can’t bear to see die during the fall and winter? If so, it’s a great idea to bring them inside at the end of the summer. Between late August and early September is the best time to move plants inside.
Many plants die once the outdoor temperature drops below 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. Philodendrons, hibiscus, and pothos are among many plants that can’t survive such low temperatures. That said, you must prepare your home with pots, grow lights, and healthy soil.
Buy a humidity monitor and humidifier so you can ensure the humidity level in your home stays between 60% and 80%. This will also come in handy once the air gets dry during the transition into winter.
7. Wash Your Windows
Windows quickly get dirty throughout the spring and summer because of all the pollen in the air. It’s hard to keep up with them, but it’s better to clean exterior windows when it’s still warm before fall begins. Work your way around your house and clean each window with diluted vinegar or dish soap.
Let your windows dry, and then move on to clean them from the inside. Check your window screens as well and see if they need to be replaced.
8. Retire Your Grill
Do you plan to grill throughout the fall and winter? This is fine in some climates, but many homeowners are unlikely to host a barbecue after the summer ends. If you don't plan to grill, then the end of summer is a great chance to clean your grill and put it away.
First, you must remove the grill plate, so you can dump all the ashes out. Of course, you can only safely do this if it’s cold and you haven’t grilled in a day or two. Carefully pour the ashes into a trash can.
Next, mix some dish soap with warm water and scrub the grill plate. Leave the grill plate out to dry for a few hours before you put it back on the grill. Scrub the outside of the grill, let it dry, put the plate back on, and cover it.
9. Service Your HVAC System
The average HVAC company recommends routine maintenance once per year. This lets them inspect your AC and furnace for wear and tear and underlying issues. For example, they typically clean key parts and lubricate bearings to reduce damage and rattling.
The end of summer is the best time for this as your AC has just gone through a lot and now you must use your furnace soon. You can expect to spend between $600 and $2000 for a routine HVAC tune-up, and it’s worth every penny.
10. Deep Clean Your House
Keeping your home tidy is a struggle for most homeowners, especially if your HVAC system runs often. It blows dust everywhere, and it’s hard to keep up with. That said, the end of summer signals a transition into fall when many people are already prone to allergies.
Because of that, the end of summer is a great chance to get ahead of the curve and minimize your allergies. Create a checklist and go room by room dusting and washing the surfaces in your home. Don’t forget to wash your baseboards and clean your ceiling fan blades.
Vacuum your carpets and mop your floor, then stick to that schedule once per week during the fall. Sure, this won’t eliminate allergies, but it can ease your transition from summer to fall.
Summing It Up
The end of summer is the best time to clean your yard and bring tropical plants indoors. You must also clean your gutters so they don’t get clogged by leaves and debris during the fall. Make sure to replace your air filter and inspect your HVAC system to catch underlying issues. It’s also a great time to dust and clean your home before allergies set in.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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