As the weather becomes warmer, you may be starting a mental list of those backyard projects you’ve been wanting to get to all winter and definitely want completed before summer. It is easy to put off exterior home projects when you’re living in Portland or own a home in Philadelphia where the winter weather can be rainy and cold, but once the sun is shining the work that your home needs may become more apparent. Spring is the perfect time to tackle some of those backyard projects or if you want to get them done in record time, hire a team of professionals to help get your home ready for summer.
1. Clean your walkways and patios
After a potentially rainy and cold winter, your walkways and driveway may have a lot of dirt and grime buildup. Cleaning your concrete periodically can extend its service life as well as give your home a fresh new look, not to mention boost your curb appeal. Having a clean home exterior is especially important if you’re planning on selling your home this spring or summer.
If you only have a small area that needs to be pressure washed you can tackle that project in a weekend with the right tools and safety gear. If you have larger areas that need to be cleaned like a long driveway, dirty roof, or your home’s siding, they can be restored by a team of trained professionals who will have your home looking good as new in no time.
2. Touch up exterior paint
Touching up your home’s exterior paint is a great way to spruce your home up for summer. As the weather is warmer it’s much easier to get outside and touch up nicks and blemishes in your paint. If you don’t know the exact color of your local paint store can help you find the perfect match. If you find this project is becoming too big to tackle don’t hesitate to call in the professionals to help. They can repaint your home or help you with difficult touch-ups, either way, it may save you time and stress.
3. Tidy up your landscaping
Winter can leave a mess in even the best-kept yards. There are a few things you can do in your yard to get your home ready for the nice weather ahead. When tidying up your landscape you will want to start by removing debris such as branches, sticks, leaves, and pinecones. Removing debris is a great start to a clean yard. From here, there are a few things you can do. You can trim and prune your trees and bushes, repair and cut your lawn, and even replace mulch or bark in your garden beds. You might even want to add a tree or two to increase your curb appeal or give that corner of your yard a little extra character.
If you have a large yard and an overwhelming amount of landscape work to do, or you just don’t like working in the yard, hiring a landscaper to get the job done may be the best option for you.
4. Wash your windows
Spring is the perfect time of year to wash the exterior of your windows. This is a task that usually is only done once a year, so you may need to use a little elbow grease, or some professional help to get your windows squeaky clean.
If you wash your windows more than once a year, you may be able to get away with just using a common household cleaner, but a bucket of soapy water and a sponge will usually deliver the best results. If your windows have not been cleaned for an extended period of time, having professional window washers assist you with this backyard project can save you a lot of time.
5. Clear out your gutters
As we wrap up winter, debris such as leaves, pine needles, and branches may have built up in your gutters. Clearing your gutters can save your home from future damage to your roof or even your foundation. It is recommended that you clean, or have your gutters cleaned, twice a year. Once in the fall and once in the spring. To make this chore a little easier and less messy it is better to wait until the debris is dry to clean them out. A few sunny days should be a sufficient amount of time to wait.
6. Renew porches and decks
Rain, sunshine, wind, and snow can all wreak havoc on the structure and appearance of your home’s porch or deck. After the cold and rainy season is finally behind us it could be the perfect time to repair, stain, or paint your deck or porch. If you are planning on painting or staining, make sure you have a good amount of time with no rainfall so your backyard project will have ample time to dry. Giving your deck a new fresh look may be exactly what your backyard needs.
If you find that your deck has structural problems, such as loose boards or sinking in certain spots, it’s recommended that you hire an expert to examine and repair your deck. This will ensure the job is done correctly so you can enjoy your deck for those summer days ahead.
7. Plant new flowers and plants
Flowers and new plants can act as a great accessory to any yard. After cleaning up your landscape you may have a vision of what you want your garden beds to look like. Whether that be rows of luscious plants, patches of colorful flowers, or even creating a vegetable garden, the ideas are endless. Visit a local nursery’s website online to find everything to need and learn about the plants and flowers that would thrive in your yard.
8. Decorate your backyard
If you have a patio or deck it is time to start getting your space ready to possibly entertain or just enjoy with your family. Creating a space in your backyard to gather and place furniture is a great start. Once you have found your space you can start adding decorations as you please. Water features to attract wildlife, herb gardens, hanging plants, and even creating your own firepit. Every detail adds more layers and creativity to your yard and makes the space even more enjoyable.
The most important thing to remember when preparing your home for summer is diligence. Keeping up on your home maintenance is very important. If you see a problem with your home, don’t wait until the last minute. Find some time to fix it yourself, or call a professional and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. There is no time like the present to start your backyard projects.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.