10 Summer Home Improvement Projects to Knock Out This Weekend

backyard deck with furniture at sunset

Summer is here, and there’s no better time to tackle all those home projects you've been putting off. While spring cleaning is great, clearing rooms out and getting a good look around your house can lead to a daunting to-do list. Take advantage of warmer weather and longer days, and give your home the little pick-me-up it needs with these ten summer home improvement projects you can knock out fast.

1. Power Wash Your House

We've all seen those oh-so-satisfying power washing videos, and it's not a bad idea to do the same to your own home while the weather's warm. Not only will a good wash give your house some curb appeal, but it also helps rinse away harmful mold or algae that may have grown during the wetter months. Plus, it gives you a chance to inspect for beehives, loose siding, and other things that could be missed with a passing glance. You can power wash patios, decks, and dirty furniture while you're at it, too!

It's important to use power washers the right way. Check out these power washer tips to get the most out of this machine.

open windows in home with vase of colorful flowers

2. Air Out Your Home

It's inevitable—after living in the same place for a while, we become nose-blind. Unusual odors like your cat's litter box or your son's gym bag eventually become part of the environment, and sometimes, we don't notice these things until we're out of the house for a few days. Summer home improvement is the perfect time to open up your windows and give your home a literal breath of fresh air.

Keeping the windows open won't just help rid your house of funky smells. Feeling the breeze come through as you relax or clean can help you feel calm and grounded. It can also help remove condensation, which decreases your chances of getting sick from mold exposure later in the year.

Open as many windows as you're comfortable with in the morning or at night when the outside temperature is a little cooler. Using a fan in a window can help circulate the air when there isn't a breeze.

3. Refinish Your Deck

Whether you plan on entertaining guests or hanging out with your family, a refinished deck is a great idea for a home improvement project. Performing deck maintenance and giving your deck a makeover doesn't just make it look nice—it can also help spot potential problems before they happen. Cracks, loose screws, and unstable boards can reduce the lifespan of your deck, and an uneven surface can lead to splinters on bare feet.

If this is too big of an undertaking to do yourself, check to see if any local businesses are offering a summer discount and save where you can!

Once your deck has been updated, add lights, buy new furniture, and do what you can to make it a cozy place to hang out if you’re up for it.

4. Change Your AC Filters

If you live in a warmer climate, there's a good chance your home has central cooling. To keep your AC running the way it's meant to and prevent blowing unnecessary allergens into your home, change your air filters and clean all vents. When your vents are dirty, the freshly cleaned air will just carry allergens back into your living space.

Changing your filters as part of your home improvement plans can help save electricity—and, in turn, help you save money. Energy bills already tend to go up during the summer, but a dirty filter can make it more costly. When a filter is caked with dust, air can't travel through as easily, which means your cooling system has to work harder.

If you have a window unit, it's equally important to clean your unit from inside the window and outside and change or rinse your filter often.

Save your lungs and your money, and confirm your cooling is working as efficiently as possible.

aerial view of backyard pool and deck with umbrellas and lounge chairs

5. Revamp Your Pool

Your pool likely has wear and tear to take care of. Fix it up with summer maintenance skimming and scrubbing. Key pool maintenance to-dos include:

Testing water quality
Cleaning debris and branches
Maintaining appropriate water levels
Adding algaecide
Filtering the pool
Securing furniture

6. Clean Your Gutters and Inspect Your Roof

For cities far and wide, spring and summer months bring stormy weather and high winds. Gutters can quickly and easily become overloaded with branches, leaves, and other debris from storms. Take this time to check gutters and soffits for hanging, detached, and broken parts, and do summer cleaning if you find them. Ignoring these issues can only intensify the problem and lead to water damage, rotted wood, and much more.

Gutter system maintenance is something you can't skip. Complete gutter maintenance correctly with our gutter maintenance dos and don'ts.

7. Prepare Your Playground

If you have an outdoor play area, ensure the equipment is safe for kids. Look for loose screws and nuts, chipped paint, and anywhere water can pool to create a slippery or moldy surface. Check nearby splash pads for necessary updates. Also, consider adding soft surfaces, like mulch, to help decrease injuries, and invest in sunshades or canopies to prevent equipment from becoming too hot.

stainless steel grill on backyard patio

8. Get Your Grills Right

Grills are essential for outdoor fun, but they can also cook up unsavory treats like burnt foods, insects, or debris when ignored for too long. Before allowing residents to use the grill, examine the inside and clear away spider webs or debris that may have been collected while not in use.

9. Protect Against Pests

In most areas, bugs, pests, and rodents are more active in the summer. Protect community buildings and facilities from these unwanted guests during your summer home improvement session by eliminating openings, cracks, or gaps. Once you seal up all openings, consider spraying for bugs that are common to your area, or hire a professional pest control provider.

Are mosquitoes a bother during the summer? Explore ways to keep mosquitoes at bay without the spray.

10. Keep an Eye Out For Water Damage

Harsh winters and spring downpours can wreak havoc on all structures—even the smallest amount of water can cause a lot of damage to a building once summer rolls around. Check basement and attic spaces for potential leaks, and search for areas where outside rain and water can get in.

More Summer Home Improvement Projects: Lawn Maintenance To-Dos

Feeling motivated after completing these home improvement projects? Keep the momentum going, and tackle the lawn next! Read our article, “7 To-Dos for a Fresh and Fabulous Summertime Lawn,” to ensure landscaping beauty all season long.