Keep your summer projects checklist on track with these tasks
The summer is a great time to ensure your gutters are in top shape before the arrival of fall leaves. Photo courtesy Oleksandr Rado/Dreamstime/TNS
By Cathy Hobbs Now that summer is approaching (June 21st), for many, it signals lazy days and longer nights. The season may also be a wonderful time to catch up on maintenance projects and complete all of your to-do projects around the house. In general, a number of maintenance tasks can be done in order to preserve the look and efficiency of your home, while also helping to continue to bring you peace of mind. Looking to take on some maintenance projects this summer? Here are some summer tasks to help keep your checklist on track!
1. Gutter maintenance
The summer is a great time to ensure your gutters are in top shape before the arrival of fall leaves.
2. House repainting
The summer is a good time to take on an exterior painting project when days are longer and sunny.
3. Lawn maintenance
Summer is a good time to seed your lawn and replant any landscape that may not have survived winter.
4. Home improvement projects
So many homeowners wait until summer to take on the home improvement projects that have been on their wish list all year. Looking for ideas? Why not incorporate a fire pit or stone patio into your outdoor environment?
5. Tree maintenance
Following the winter hibernation period, all of nature’s creatures are back. Often lowhanging branches may be an attractive means of access to your attic or roof for a curious animal.
6. Insect control
You may want to protect your backyard barbecues and picnics from unwanted visitors.
7. Driveway repaving
Just like how potholes are created in the street, your driveway may need a fresh coat to help ensure a smooth ride home this summer.
8. Check your water connections
From outdoor kitchen faucets to your garden hose, now is a good time to make sure everything is in working order.
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damaged subfloor boards need to be replaced. The annoying squeaks that are often heard while walking on hardwood floors are caused by a loose board that is riding up and down on a nail, so at this point in the job you want to make sure that the subfloor is very firmly attached to the floor joists. Using a nail gun loaded with 2’ ring shank nails, follow each floor joist across the room and nail at least 2 new nails in every subfloor board as they cross each joist. The last step in preparing for the new floor is to glue and nail a layer of plywood down over the subfloor using a liquid nails type of construction adhesive and taking care to nail into the joists. Leave a ½” gap between each sheet of plywood to allow for expansion. Now you are ready for the new hardwood floor to be installed which is a job that is way beyond the abilities of most homeowner do-it-yourselfers, and you need the services of an experienced flooring contractor. The actual laying of a hardwood floor is a job left to the experts otherwise you may end up with a flawed floor that squeaks. Once the floor is set, depending on the style of flooring you selected, the job may be complete or the flooring contractor will then sand the new wood smooth, stain and seal. After the sealer is allowed a couple of days to dry, you will then be able to move furniture back in, install your baseboard and enjoy your beautiful new floors.
9. Purge
Now is a great time to clear out that basement, shed or attic and get rid of all those unwanted and unused items.
10. Check windows and doors
During winter months there is a need to keep cold temperatures out and in summer months, a desire is to keep cool temperatures in. Given the milder temperatures, summer is a good time to consider upgrading or replacing doors and windows.
Mark Baird is a General Contractor & the Owner of “Your Handyman” servicing Santa Barbara since 2006. You can contact Mark at 805-968-1234 or email him at: mark.baird@sbcoxmail.com. Visit his website at: www.yourhandymansb.com.
Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert. ©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022
E11
