May 26, 2018 5 min read

With temperatures rising and the sun (finally) starting to shine, now is the time for some serious home-improvement projects. Whether you were born handy or you’re a DIY novice, there are several things you can do now to prep your property for the warm summer months.

Give the windows some love

There’s nothing like waking up on a summer morning to streams of sunshine through your window – that is, unless your windows are covered in dirt and grime from a long, hard winter. Before you bask in the light of the long summer days, make sure you’re doing it optimally with a good window washing. Don DeVore, owner of Devore Hardware in Monongahela, recommends using a solution that’s one part tap water, two parts vinegar.

It’s also a great time to make sure your windows aren’t costing you unnecessarily. Check for any gaps in the frame and caulk them to make sure your air conditioner runs as efficiently as possible.

Cover the bald spots

Long winters are hard on everyone, including your lawn. Now that the season of picnics and barbecues is here, take some time to fill in the bald spots around your yard. Apply the seed to where the lawn is bare or visibly thinner. While you’re in the yard, apply a weed-killing fertilizer to protect the new growth and keep your lawn looking summer-ready. “For this area, I suggest using the Penn State Grass seed Blend. This mixture works well in areas of low sunshine and cloudy weather,” mentions DeVore.

Check out the siding

What do snow, rain, wind and hail have in common? Well, for one, they’re not easy on your home’s exterior. Whether you have siding or shingles, you’ll want to give your home a thorough inspection and then tackle any cracked, chipped or otherwise damaged areas. If you’re feeling ambitious, now is as good a time as any to clean caked-in dirt off your siding as well as touch up any chipped paint. DeVore says that tri-sodium phosphate is recommended by most paint manufacturers. “Boss works well on vinyl siding,” he adds.

Prep the grill

Who wants to slave over a hot stove on a warm summer evening? Now is the time to get the grill prepped and ready for an entire season of burgers and T-bones. The Kitchn suggests tackling safety first by checking the hose from the propane tank to the burners to ensure it’s clean and in good condition. Give your grill a good scrub with a wire brush and be sure to clean out your grease trap (yes, your grill has a grease trap). While you’re thinking about, now is the time to get that propane tank filled and ready for some (mouth-watering) action.

Service the air conditioning

You’ve got to hand it to your air conditioning; it might just be the only way you survive the summer. Before you put that bad boy to work, make sure it can work optimally. Don DeVore suggests inspecting the outdoor unit panels for damage or missing parts, removing any winter covers or lids, repairing or replacing damaged pipe insulation, changing the air filters, checking the coil drainage hose and cleaning the supply vents and return grills. Not sure how any of this is done? Ask an expert at your DeVore Hardware for more advice.

Give your tools a lift

This time of year, all your outside tools are likely still recovering from their long winter’s nap. Before summer hits, be sure you’ve got everything in optimal working order by tuning them up. Check your lawnmowers and edgers for cleanliness and gas. If it’s been a while since your manual tools – like shovels, rakes and pruners – have been cleaned, take some time to make them shine before putting them to work.

Get your head in the gutter

Your gutters and downspouts are, well, the gutters of the winter season. Debris and damage can cause you headaches down the road, so now is the perfect time to give them a presummer cleaning. To tackle a do-it-yourself gutter-cleaning session, you’ll need a ladder, trowel, hose, gloves and safety glasses. Scoop the debris out and then rinse with the hose. 

If the thought of planning these projects on your own makes you sweat like the hot weather that’s about to be upon us, look no further for help than the local experts at DeVore Hardware. With over 115 years of family ownership, DeVore Hardware is dedicated to providing the best sales and service no matter where you are in your home improvement process.

This article is sponsored by DeVore Hardware.

A journalism graduate from Brigham Young University, Kristen Price has experience writing in a variety of fields, including art and culture, health and fitness and financial and real estate services. Kristen has written for USA Today, SFGate and the Knot.