Your Summer Home Maintenance Checklist.

Summer in Lawrence is a great time to enjoy the sunshine and tackle a few home maintenance tasks that can keep things running smoothly all year long. A little work now can help you avoid costly repairs down the road and even save you money on your energy bills.

Here’s a quick summer checklist to get you started:

Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts

Chris Earl, broker and co-owner of Stephens Real Estate, says it best: “It’s important to check the proper functioning of the gutters and the entire drainage system. Many foundation problems can be avoided or mitigated with diligent care of gutters and downspouts.” Make sure water is flowing away from your home, not pooling near the foundation.

Service your HVAC system

Beat the Kansas heat with a system that’s running efficiently. Clean filters and consider scheduling a professional tune-up. Evergy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home and raising it a few degrees when you’re away to reduce energy use. Smart thermostats can help automate these changes and cut costs.

Inspect your roof and siding

Look for missing shingles, cracks, or other signs of wear from spring storms or winter weather. Catching small issues early can prevent leaks and larger repairs later on.

Check windows and doors

Seal up any leaks or replace worn-out weather stripping to keep the cool air in and bugs out. Evergy also suggests using curtains or shades during the day to block sunlight and reduce cooling needs indoors.

Trim trees and overgrown landscaping

Keep branches away from your roof and siding, and improve airflow around your home. Bonus: trimming trees near outdoor AC units helps the system work more efficiently.

Clean and reseal decks or patios

Protect outdoor spaces from sun damage and moisture by power washing and resealing as needed. This also helps maintain their value and appearance over time.

Flush your water heater

Sediment buildup can reduce efficiency. A simple flush can help your system last longer and perform better, especially when demand rises during summer months.

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Summer is a good time to check batteries and make sure everything is working properly. It’s a quick step that adds peace of mind.

Swap out incandescent bulbs

Evergy suggests replacing old light bulbs with LEDs, which use up to 90% less energy and last much longer. It’s a small switch with a big impact.

Taking care of your home seasonally helps prevent surprises later and gives you more time to enjoy everything summer has to offer. Stephens Real Estate is proud to be locally owned and deeply connected to our community. We’re here to help you care for your home, every season of the year.