Spring & Summer Maintenance

Seasonal home maintenance is a routine that ensures the homeowner spends less time and money on the future upkeep of their property. Annual maintenance ensures that any seasonally induced problems are caught before developing into larger unmanageable property issues.  For many homeowners the spring and the summer are the best times for annual home maintenance and inspection. Major exterior systems can also be checked as a part of the annual maintenance process. After a cold winter these seasons are
the ideal time to get outdoors and tend to one’s property.

Strategies

There are a number of strategies to consider when conducting seasonal property maintenance.  Naturally spring is the ideal time period to commence the rejuvenation of one’s property after winter. Spring maintenance will typically begin once the ground is dry. A spring cleanup can then be performed to ensure the future enjoyment of one’s property. After cleanup, gardens can be cultivated and mulch can be laid down. The lawn will be prepped for aeration and the dispersion of pesticides, in accordance to city bylaws. The spring maintenance process includes pruning evergreens, cedars and junipers, to remove any winter dieback as well as any perennial plants that were kept for winter aesthetics. This will also be the time to plant flowering shrubs which should be pruned after flowering.  Spring maintenance essentially readies one’s property for the summer heat in which the property thrives.

Summer maintenance is exactly what one would expect; the attention to and upkeep of the property’s vital processes. The summer routine generally includes removing weeds and species that pose a threat to the health and vitality of one’s property. Summer is also the time to ensure the moisture content of soils and plants is well maintained.

Key Information

Paying attention to the changes in the environment across the seasons is crucial for a well- maintained property. Like the changing of seasons, property maintenance is a cyclical process. Hence, spring cleanup preps one’s property by removing the decayed
remains from the previous season to make way for the blossoming. Thus, cleaning storm gutters and removing blockages after the winter is also imperative. This is also the perfect time to inspect for damage and make repairs. While the ladder is out, take the opportunity to inspect the roof, chimney, and siding for winter damage and leaking.  A home inspector can always be called if one becomes unsure of any potentially serious damage. The annual inspection of one’s property should also include the inspection of the property’s ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI functions to protect homeowners, their children, and guests from dangerous electrical shocks. It disconnects power to the home when a minimal disturbance in the power grid is detected. Although it is not a part of the natural maintenance of one’s property, it is good practice to include this inspection into the annual spring routine.

Essential tools

Most of the essential tools required for spring and summer property maintenance can be purchased at leading home garden centers. Hand pruners, sheers, and a wheel barrel can all be purchased at major garden centers. Big names include Greenthumb/Green Arrow and Garden Centers/Pike Nurseries. Both companies are trusted names for meeting one’s spring and summer property maintenance needs.