Home Improvement- Summer is a season to relax and have fun while no school and fewer activities fill your time. It’s also an excellent opportunity to do the projects around the house you may not be able to once you start getting the kids ready for class or contractors get booked up in the fall.

As autumn approaches, here are ten home improvement projects to tackle before summer ends.

1. Replace Your Roof

If your roof is reaching its expiration date, it’s best to replace it during the summer before rain or time gets in the way of getting it done. The life span of different roofs varies widely, but waiting too long to replace one with problems could lead to holes or worse issues. 

Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, the summer heat will give you a more robust weather seal. The longer days of summer also assist in getting your roof done faster since you won’t run out of daylight as quickly as in the fall.

2. Declutter Your Home

You’ve heard of spring cleaning. How about summer decluttering?

If you have kids or participate in fall events, now is the perfect time to declutter and reset for the year’s second half. Dive into your wardrobe and see if there’s anything you can donate or throw away.

Do the same for any items you don’t want anymore or are unlikely to use. Going through any seasonal decorations helps you know what to donate or purchase for the months ahead. You may even be able to make some money by selling any high-value items.

Summer is the perfect time to organize your home in preparation for all the events and shopping you’ll do in the fall and winter months.

3. Paint Your Walls

The time and extra sunshine of summer make it a great time to paint, whether it’s giving your walls a refresh or brightening your exterior with color.

Even adding a simple accent wall can breathe new life into your home. User painter’s tape to make a design you fill in with colors or paint your child’s bedroom to give them a nice change for the new school year.

Some paint jobs can increase the price of your house, so it’s a great project if you want to sell soon.

The extra sun will help your outdoor paint job cure properly. Your spare time in the summer also gives you time to be careful and fix any imperfections that form during the first coat of paint.

4. Pressure Wash Your Exterior

Pressure washing makes your home, driveway and patio look as good as new. Summer is the perfect time to rent or purchase one of these handy tools and make your home sparkle.

Washing outside your home this season takes advantage of the high heat for a fast drying process. When your home can dry quickly, dirt or debris mixing into the water is also less likely.

Another reason to pressure wash in the summer is time — autumn means school, sports and event planning. Pressure washing outside your home takes time you might not have in the fall or winter.

Fall also entails your child’s friends coming over after practice or classes, trick-or-treating and holiday gatherings you want your home to look its best for. Pressure washing is one way to get your home ready to welcome guests.

When you use a pressure washer, read the instructions to avoid damaging your siding or pavement.

5. Remodel Your Kitchen

Hotter weather means more time to relax outdoors and grill, making it the perfect time to finally do that kitchen remodel you’ve dreamed of completing.

Lazy summer evenings will soon be replaced with fall parties and school events, making your stove, oven and microwave more necessary to use. If you’re dreaming of a new setup for the holiday season, take advantage of the grill or smoker while you remodel your kitchen space.

Diving into your remodel means you’ll enjoy having a shiny new space to prepare breakfasts on school mornings, quick meals before evening events or the perfect Thanksgiving dish.

Additions like a new kitchen island or updated countertops can raise your home’s value and provide a more luxurious cooking experience for you.

6. Clean Your Gutters

The closer you get to fall, the closer you get to rain. Summer is the perfect time to clean your gutters and prepare for any showers headed your way.

Experts recommend you clean your gutters twice a year to prevent debris from building up and controlling proper flow. Having clogged gutters could lead to damage to your foundation, roof and walls.

Too much stagnant water could also lead to pests, damaging your home. Keeping your gutters clean will save you money in the long run.

7. Repave or Repair Your Walkways

The summer months are the perfect time to repair or repave your concrete driveway and stairs. Cracks and crumbling will happen after years of wear and tear, but this season is when to improve and reinforce them before you get busy.

Having cracked or uneven concrete can create a tripping risk which is dangerous when tired kids or elderly relatives step onto it. You don’t want an accidental injury to prevent you, a friend or a loved one from participating in fall activities.

Finding time to repair or repave your driveway and concrete steps can be challenging as life gets busier. You could fill small cracks on your own, but it may be worth hiring a professional for a large paving job.

8. Drain Your Water Heater

Draining your water heater regularly will prevent sediment from building up and preventing hot water from flowing to your pipes. Water heaters should drain every six months, possibly sooner if you have hard water.

Too much sediment will impede your hot water access and could damage your water heater. With the cost of these heaters in the hundreds, keeping them functioning will benefit you and anyone who uses water in your home.

9. Build a Shed or Playhouse

Summer is a great time to build a shed for your yard equipment or decor. The longer days ensure you’ll have the time you need to make your new shed.

It’s also a great opportunity to build or repair an outdoor playhouse for kids to enjoy throughout the school year. You can create a small home with doors and windows, perfect for playing or having secret clubhouse meetings.

You could look up plans online or purchase a kit for these buildings, but check for any local ordinances that limit what you can build in your yard first.

10. Schedule Any Inspection and Repairs

Summer is a great time to ensure your home is in its best shape to shelter your family through the rest of the year. If you’ve recently built a new house, this season is when you should get your inspections done.

The end of summer is the perfect window between the busiest inspection season and when everyone’s schedules get busy during the school year and autumn months.

Whether or not your home is new, this season is a great time to get any possible issues with your plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning system and any other things you want to check out before the busier months arrive. 

Getting things checked out and repaired now can also prevent a significant home disaster around the fall and winter holidays.

Preparing Your Home for Busy Months

Summer is a great time to do regular maintenance tasks and larger home projects you may not have the time or energy to do as you enter the busy fall and winter months.

The extra heat and long days can make it easier to get repairs and renovations done for enjoyment throughout the school year and holiday season.