Summertime is for vacations and work. Summer offers warm dry days for painting, hot days to help evaporate water used for washing surfaces and some cloudy cooler days for working on the lawn or fixing a roof. Every homeowner has a list of things that needs to be done, but each type of repair or maintenance is best left to summer days that provide optimal weather conditions for the job.
1. Weed and Feed the Lawn
Spring and early summer are the active growing time of lawns. They go partially dormant when the high heat of summer hits then will have another growth spurt before fall arrives. Many homeowners are mowing weeds rather than turf grasses. Lawns can get overrun with crabgrass, clover, dandelions and broad leaf weeds. Regular use of a weed and feed granule or liquid lawn treatment kills the weeds
permitting the turf grasses to grow in and choke out new weed growth. Apply treatments on warm days with no wind and no threat of rain for the next three days.
2. Pressure Wash Everything
Rent a pressure washer with attachments. Get a sidewalk and driveway attachment that rolls over surfaces. They look similar to a lawnmower, but they have spinning high pressure water nozzles instead of blades to clean driveways and sidewalks. Purchase the proper detergents for each surface including lawn furniture, and get to work pressure washing everything from the siding to the decks. This is best done on a hot sunny day.
3. Carpet and Drapery Cleaning
Low humidity days of spring when it is hot enough that air conditioning is needed is best for carpet and drapery cleaning. The low humidity combined with the dehumidifying effect of air conditioning helps carpets and draperies dry quickly after they have been cleaned. A hot muggy day may permit moisture to persist that encourages mold growth.
4. Repainting
A cloudy day with no chance of rain is good for painting. Moist paints require an ambient temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit to aid in the proper formation of a good paint film that protects surfaces. Hot sun beating down on freshly painted surfaces can cause rapid drying that may lead to wrinkles or cracking of the paint. Since the sun rises in the east, start the day of painting on the west side of the house.
5. Roof Repairs
Everything from loose shingles to cracks in the sealant around chimney flashing is best inspected and repaired on a warm but not scorching hot day. The heat of the sun softens shingles to the point that they can be damaged by stepping on them. For homeowners who have no experience working on a roof or for homes and businesses with flat roofs, it is best to consult a professional commercial roof
maintenance company for inspections and repairs. Watch the weather reports and schedule repair chores for days when the weather is likely to be most conducive to the job getting done right. A little planning can make even the most tedious home upkeep chores more bearable. Also, leave jobs outside the realm of knowledge and experience to those who will do it safe and do it right.
Brionna Kennedy is native to the Pacific Northwest, growing up in Washington, then moving down to Oregon for college. She enjoys writing on fashion and business, but any subject will do, she loves to learn about new topics. When she isn’t writing, she lives for the outdoors. Oregon has been the perfect setting to indulge her love of kayaking, rock climbing, and hiking.
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