Labor Day is regarded by many as the informal last day of summer.  Because, after the holiday weekend, all of the kids are back in school.  And the temperatures start cooling off.  Also, it’s a good time for homeowners to work on last minute projects for their homes.  You might have one big job you need to tackle, or a lot of small ones.  But whatever the situation, here are some end of summer home maintenance tips.

End of Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Drywall Repair

drywall repair

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Drywall is a sheet or board constructed out of gypsum between two thick pieces of paper.  And it’s usually used for building interior walls and ceilings.  Additionally it’s what basically holds your house together.  Also, Sheetrock is a brand of drywall that’s usually used synonymously with drywall.

The goal of Sheetrock or drywall repair is to make it look like there was never a defect in your wall or ceiling.  And there are several reasons you might find that you need to repair yours some day.  Holes in the wall are the most frequent cause for drywall repair.  But there are other  reasons, like cracks from the foundation settling, nail pops, and water damage.

Furthermore drywall is ~32% water, so the older your home is, the more difficult it is to repair.  And that’s because it’s drier.  Doing drywall repairs can be labor intensive.  But they’re also time consuming due to the drying times to get the repairs looking seamless.

Pool Maintenance/Winterization

outdoor swimming pool

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If you have a pool, it’s generally advised to start getting ready to close and winterize it when the temperature of the water stays at a minimum of 65 degrees.  And that’s because you end up having a higher risk of algae growth if you cover your pool when the water is too warm.

Winterizing your pool is a formal cleaning process with several benefits.  It protects your pool from damage, gets the water in optimal condition for the time it’s shut down, and makes it easier and less costly to re-open the following summer.

This is also a laborious project.  Especially if you plan on doing it yourself.  Additionally do your research.  Because, even though some people who work at the local pool store seem experienced, a lot of them are in school and doing this only for the season.

Cleaning Your Windows

woman washing a window

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Our windows allow us to see the outside world:  Whether nature or the neighborhood.  But having dirty windows can distort what we see.  Also, dirty windows can prevent the heat from the sun from getting in.  Which will make our homes feel colder when we want to be warm.

However having clean windows and cleaning them extends their life.  In addition, cleaning our windows allows us to identify corrosion and rotten frames, which could lead to mold and possibly spread to other areas.

Year round weather conditions plus where we live can leave a build-up of dust, dirt, pollen, and other particles on our windows.  And those can accumulate in the development of allergens, which can cause allergies and breathing problems.

Furthermore where you live determines the kind of debris your windows will collect.  Do you live in the city?  If so, your house and windows are subjected to exhaust and smoke, maybe even more intense industrial chemicals.

The best time to clean is when the temperature is ~64 degrees into the 70s.  So a morning when it isn’t hot.  With that said, most people get their windows cleaned in spring.  But now that we’re heading into September, we could all probably benefit from getting our windows cleaned.  Summer rains and wind left a fine layer of dust and pollen.  And you might also find bugs as well.

Fixing Your Fence

wooden fence

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Now is the best time to do some general maintenance on your fence.  Because if you find something wrong with it, working on it in winter is preferable.  So, inspect it, and clean it in the way and with the product that’s recommended by the manufacturer.  Also, when mowing your lawn and weed eating, be careful around your fence and posts.  Don’t let mulch pile up at the foot of the posts and panels.  And keep all the moving parts well oiled with grease or oil.

Possible reasons to repair your fence are that it’s sagging, dirty, or mildewed.  Or animals are digging beneath it.  Are the posts damaged?  There are temporary ways to fix these issues unless you want to replace your fence.  And in that case, winter is the best time to do that.

You save money and time, and your landscaping is spared all by getting your fence replaced in the cooler months.

Thanks for stopping by, and if you need help with any of these end of summer maintenance tips, just give us a call.