Catch Up on Your Home’s Exterior Maintenance

The wear and tear on your home from the outside elements each season is something you should never ignore as a homeowner.  Wind, rain, and sun can cause damage over a period of time if left unchecked.

Whether you’re living in a single-family home or a townhome, you need to schedule regular maintenance that tackles the exterior of your home and your yard if you have one.

Even for condo owners, you should make sure your association is taking care of these items too, especially if you are living in a smaller building and/or self- managed building.

By keeping up with these seasonal tasks, you can avoid some costly repair bills from damage that can be prevented. And, remember, that a well-cared for property can better retain its value and attract buyers when it comes time to sell.

Your exterior and yard maintenance can include some DIY tasks or regular service appointments from professionals.  Here’s a breakdown of what you should put on your to-do list each San Diego season* for outside maintenance.

Winter to Spring (January – Early June)

Remove debris such as dead foliage and fallen branches that may be scattered in your yard.
Clear out any unwanted vegetation or brush from the area.

Given the recent heavy flooding and excessive rainfall we are experiencing in San Diego county, it’s advisable to inspect your exterior drainage systems and consider improvements to prevent costly water damage to your home now and in the future. Examine the exterior walls for water spots, indicating potential leaks in the drainage system. Address any identified leaks promptly to prevent issues during the potentially ongoing rain this season.

Again, you want to prevent water damage to your home.

Get your garden tools and supplies cleaned, sharpened and restocked. Remove rust and seal blades for pruning shears, hedge clippers, trowels, etc. Clean and restock garden pots, gloves, kneepads, soil bags. Purge and organize your garden shed to get rid of what you don’t need or use anymore and then arrange the space for easy access and a more orderly set up. Did you know that La Jolla has a garden club? Founded in 1968, La Jolla Garden Club is a wonderful supporting community with ongoing fun special projects and regular member meetings.

Once the rain season is over, clean and prepare your patio or deck and any outdoor furniture or planters in preparation for the sunny and warm days ahead. Consider power washing to get rid of grime on some items that can withstand the pressure. Depends on what material you may have from pavers, concrete, slate etc. Or, give everything a good deep cleaning so the rest of the year, you can do a periodic wipe down.

Clean the exterior siding of your home or schedule a paint job if that is needed.  Depending on the siding’s material, you could get it power washed by a professional or rent the equipment.

Get your grill cleaned and repaired now. Scrub the grates with liquid cleaner, and wash the burners and covers if you have them. Don’t forget to get the tank filled if you have a gas grill, or stock up on charcoal for other grills.

Little critters start to come out in the warmer weather so hire a pest service that can help you deal with ants, rats, spiders, or mice. Make sure your garbage is securely closed; and clean up any areas with debris that create an inviting home for critters.

Summer (Late June – September)

Your yard should be in pretty good shape by early summer if you’ve kept up with serious clean-up tasks throughout the spring. Remember that early June is a perfect time to make your yard more beautiful and a good time to finish up any preventative care. That way you’re set to relax for the rest of summer!

Plan ahead and have a professional tree service come out regularly to ensure your trees are healthy and not diseased.  You may need to have your palm trees trimmed if you haven’t in a couple of years.

Weed and clean up beds of early spring plantings that have stopped blooming. Now is the time to clear out those wilted leaves and dead plants to make room for late-blooming flowers.

Add a splash of color with some annuals that can withstand the summer heat. It’s time to switch out the pansies and put in some colorful but hardy plants in containers and beds. Work with your local garden center to see what works best for your yard, especially if you have direct sunlight.

As the temperature rises throughout the summer, keep watering your lawn, beds, and containers. Don’t water in the middle of the day with the hot sun, but do it in the early evening when it starts to cool down.

Hire a pest control service to manage any seasonal issues if you haven’t done so already. A pest service can offer suggestions and solutions on how to deal with any problems, inside and outside of your home. The summer means more spiders and, yes, rats and raccoons. Do your part and keep your garbage contained and clear out debris in your yard so you don’t have a tempting “home” for critters.

Fall (October – Late November)

The fall is another season that is perfect for many outside maintenance tasks. Plus, you want to prepare your home for the upcoming winter weather, which can be the harshest on your home.

Clean out gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris. Depending on where you live, you may need to do this several times in the fall. Blocked gutters can cause water damage to your home at any time.

Make sure your gutters are directed so that they drain as far away from the house as possible and on a downslope. Check on this regularly during rainstorms to prevent major water damage.

Inspect roof for any damage and double check seals around vents and chimney to prevent any leaks.

Seal foundation cracks to prevent entry points for pests like insects and rodents.

Remove and weed any dead plants, especially those summer and early fall annuals.

Prune shrubs before they go dormant. Cut back perennials; divide and transplant as needed.

Aerate, fertilize, and seed your lawn in early fall.

Plant bulbs now for springtime flowers. Look at catalogs and the internet for some ideas for your garden. Perennial flowers are less costly and time consuming in the long run, making your yard look nice with less work each year.

Trim tree branches that hang too close to your home or electrical wires. You don’t want any surprises during a rain storm so hire a professional company to care for your trees and palm trees and trim where necessary.

Clean and then cover outdoor furniture (or store it inside) as you get closer to winter weather.

Winterize sensitive plants such as roses, and stake any shrubs or young trees.

Winter (Late November – Early March)

The outside of your home is where rainy and windy winter storms can do damage. Get these outside tasks done starting in late November and early December so you’re prepared for any storms. And, stay on top of certain tasks if a storm does happen.

Make sure gutters and downspouts are cleaned out thoroughly of leaves and debris before the winter weather arrives. If your gutters are clogged, the water can cause major water damage to your home if left for too long.

Trim tree branches that hang too close to your home. Windy and rainy storms can cause branches to fall; get rid of any dead limbs before the storms hit.

Cover outdoor furniture or store it inside. Do the same with sensitive potted plants.

Catch up on what maintenance you may have missed over the last few months and get moving on any late spring and summer tasks.  Hope this list has helped you know what to prioritize and what to plan on doing now and in the upcoming seasons!