Summer Home Improvements

Begin your summer home improvement projects as quickly as possible If you wait until summer is in full swing, expect to get in line behind the multitudes of other homeowners doing projects around the house. Contractors will be swamped with work, which can means higher rates and longer waits for their services.

Home improvement centers become jammed with do-it-yourselfers. And the ticking clock swings into motion – a major summer project that runs longer than expected can scuttle vacation plans and lap over into fall.

Getting a head start, on the other hand, will allow you to get competitive bids from contractors who are eagerly seeking work, navigate the aisles of the home improvement centers without crowds and take the time you need to do your project right.

You can also benefit by attacking problems while they’re still fresh in your mind and solving issues before they get worse. Last but not least, doing projects now that involve getting your house and yard in shape for recreation and entertaining will increase your family’s enjoyment – and your free time – this summer.

Repair winter damage.

First things first: Repair any damage caused by winter storms so small problems don’t become big ones. Start by taking stock of how well your home handled the weather. Did rainwater leak through the roof or run in through siding? Did the basement flood?

Address a leaky roof, damaged siding or a soggy basement or crawlspace as soon as possible. Water damage and chronic moisture ultimately cause rot and mold. For this work, call roofing or siding contractors, a waterproofing contractor or a general contractor.

Clean gutters and downspouts.

Though the worst of winter storms may have passed, spring showers are a given. Where gutters and downspouts don’t properly capture and carry away rainwater runoff, water damage can occur. Following winter, gutters and downspouts are often jammed with debris. If they are, clean them out.

You can hire a gutter service to do this. Or, if you can work safely and comfortably from a ladder and your gutters aren’t too high, you can do it yourself. Wear heavy work gloves to scoop out loose debris, and then blast gutters and downspouts with a high-pressure nozzle on a hose. If downspouts are too clogged to flush with the hose, use a plumber’s snake to clear them.

Insulate the attic.

Some jobs are much easier and far more comfortable to handle before the arrival of summer heat. Insulating the attic is one of those. If your home is already fully insulated, you don’t need to worry about this job. But if you felt a chill during the winter as heat escaped through your attic, you’ll probably feel the burn when summer heat arrives. In this case, get started on insulating now, particularly if you intend to do the job yourself. Working in a super-heated attic can be miserable.

If you intend to hire an insulation contractor to do the work, get bids now and schedule the work. Insulation contractors become very busy once summer arrives and don’t want to work in a hot attic any more than you do.

Cool drinks and warm nights are better with a new deck. One of the most desirable home improvement projects for those who like to spend as much time outdoors as they can is building a deck. Deck construction late in the season is one project that can actually be speedy enough to still get a little use out of it before the temperatures change. Decks are perfect areas for relaxing and entertaining, alike; if you want to truly construct the perfect summertime hang-out, consider adding a small outdoor kitchen, as well!

Paint siding and trim.

If your home’s siding or trim needs painting, spring is a great time to begin this job because preparation, including scraping and sanding, may take a week or more.

Paint should be applied in still, dry weather – ideally during temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees. Plan to finish painting before summer’s hot weather arrives. When the temperature gets hot, fresh paint dries too quickly, compromising its adhesion and durability.

Keep updated with our blogs to learn more helpful tips and advice on your home improvement needs. Contact us today to schedule a free estimate.

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