Your North Shore Home Summer Maintenance Checklist

Now that summer is here (at least the temperatures!) on Chicago's North Shore, we're all eager to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. But even if you plan to spend your time boating, gardening, swimming, or vacationing, there are a few tasks to check off of your home maintenance to-do list to ensure everything runs smoothly this season.

Protect your deck
When the weather warms up, your deck becomes a popular place! However, if you haven't sealed it properly, it can absorb all of the summer rain and excess moisture from your hose and watered plants, paving the way for wood rot. Test a patch by pouring a small amount of water and if the water beads up, it's ready for the season. If not, you'll want to purchase a sealant.

Clean your patio furniture
Months of being covered or—worse yet—standing out in the elements likely took a toll on your patio furniture. You might even find some resident cobwebs hanging around! Before you invite anyone over for summer gatherings, or lounge by yourself, give your furniture a good cleaning and spray down with the garden hose.

Inspect your AC
Did you AC unit have a cover over it this winter? If not, it may be covered with debris and dust. Now is the time to brush it off and replace your air filter before you run the machine all summer long.

Add mulch
Plants and flowers need to absorb as much moisture as possible in the summer heat to grow and thrive— which can be hard to do if you don't give them a little extra care. Consider adding mulch in your flower beds to allow the moisture to get to your plants and hydrate them without the sun interfering.

Ready to start your North Shore home search or sell your current home in Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, or Deerfield? Give me a call today!

Janie Bress
Your North Shore Real Estate Expert

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