Home Maintenance Checklist: May Edition

Power Wash Key Areas – Instantly Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal 🧼

Nothing freshens up your home's exterior faster than a deep clean.
What to Tackle:
• Siding, driveways, walkways, and fences.
• Patio furniture and outdoor rugs.
• Garage doors and front porches.
Pro Tip: Rent or borrow a pressure washer if you don’t own one — it’s a game-changer for spring cleaning.

Prep Your Outdoor Living Spaces – Create a Backyard You’ll Actually Use 🏡

Make your patio, deck, or balcony a go-to hangout spot.
What to Do:
• Set up shade solutions (umbrellas, canopies, or pergolas).
• Add solar or string lights for cozy summer evenings.
• Bring out (and deep-clean) your outdoor furniture.
Pro Tip: Create a simple outdoor “kit” with blankets, citronella candles, and a Bluetooth speaker ready to go.

Inspect and Repair Fencing and Gates – Secure Your Property Before It’s a Problem 🚪

Don’t wait for strong summer storms to show you where repairs are needed.
What to Check:
• Look for loose posts, leaning or broken panels, and rusted hardware.
• Touch up wood fences with fresh stain or sealant.
• Adjust or lubricate sagging or sticky gates.
Pro Tip: Add motion-sensor lights near fences for security and convenience.

Optimize Your Home for Energy Savings – Cut Bills Before the Summer Heat 💡

Small springtime tweaks = lower cooling costs later.
Where to Focus:
• Add weather stripping around doors and windows.
• Install ceiling fans or reverse them to counter-clockwise mode.
• Upgrade to smart thermostats if you haven’t already. Some smart thermostats even allow the ability to add temperature sensors, to more accurately monitor your home temperature and adjust settings accordingly.
Pro Tip: Close blinds and curtains on hot days to keep cool naturally.

Refresh Garden Beds and Lawn Care – Get a Lush, Picture-Perfect Yard 🌼🌱

Now’s the perfect time to design a garden and lawn that will stay beautiful—and low-maintenance—all summer long.

How to Improve:
• Edge and mulch garden beds for a crisp, professional finish.
• Overseed bare patches in early May to help grass grow in thick and even.
• Fertilize in late May for healthy growth—just don’t seed and fertilize the same week, or you’ll risk burning new grass.
• Combine hardy perennials with pops of colorful annuals for all-season blooms.
• Add landscape lighting to showcase garden highlights and enjoy your yard after dark.

Pro Tip: Cluster your brightest, most colorful plants near entryways and patios—places you’ll see and enjoy the most.

👉 Bonus Quick Tasks

• Set Up a Rain Barrel: Capture rainwater now and save on watering costs all summer.

• Inspect Outdoor Electrical Outlets: Make sure they’re GFCI-protected and weatherproof before plugging in lights or garden gear.

• Seal Gaps Around Doors and Windows: Keep ants, spiders, and other bugs from sneaking in as the weather warms.

• Test Your Sump Pump: Pour in a bucket of water — it should kick on immediately to avoid surprise flooding during spring rains.

• Clean Out Your Dryer Vent Hose: Lint buildup inside hoses causes many fires each year — a quick vacuum now protects your home and improves efficiency.

🎯 If You Only Do One Thing This Month:

Clean out your dryer vent hose.
Clogged vents are a leading cause of household fires in Canada, contributing to thousands of dryer-related fires annually. Regular maintenance can prevent these fires, save energy, and extend your dryer's lifespan. 🔥👕