Your Home Maintenance Checklist for Summer

Dusty Rhodes • May 23, 2022

Get your home in shape with these indoor and outdoor projects to do in an hour, over a weekend or longer-term


With the days getting longer, now is a good time to get going on some larger home projects both indoors and out. Hotter weather is also your cue to tune up those irrigation systems, boost shade and (finally) clean out the garage. Check these to-dos off your list to get your home and garden in top shape for summer and keep it that way all season long.


Tasks to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less


Keep mosquitoes at bay. Mosquitoes need stagnant water to breed — but it’s not just ponds and puddles that cause problems. As Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, entomologist at the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, reported to Houzz, even something as small as a soda cap filled with water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To stay ahead of the problem, walk around your property twice a week and dump out any water that has collected, including bird baths (feel free to refill with fresh water), flower pots and saucers, children’s toys, tarps, patio furniture and anywhere else water collects.

Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Keeping an eye on sinks and tile surrounds can help prevent costly water damage and repairs down the road. Make note of areas in need of new grout or caulk, as well as any slow leaks to repair. While you’re at it, freshen the kitchen drain by grinding a few ice cubes along with a few tablespoons of salt in the garbage disposal.


Check safety devices. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the test button; replace batteries as needed. Also, take a moment to check the expiration date on any fire extinguishers in the house and replace them if needed.

Tackle These To-Dos Over a Weekend


Launder soft furnishings. Keep your textiles looking fresh by laundering slipcovers, shower curtains, cushion covers and curtains, or sending them out for dry cleaning if they’re not machine washable. Keep upholstery and Roman blinds looking their best by vacuuming them regularly using your vacuum’s upholstery attachment. Have large area rugs and carpets professionally cleaned, or rent a carpet cleaner and do it yourself.


Prep your porch. Summer is prime time for hanging out on the porch with icy cold drinks and watching the world go by. Get your porch ready by cleaning the floor, exterior windows, windowsills and front door. Use a long-handled duster to wipe cobwebs from the ceiling, light fixtures and high corners. Lay down a fresh doormat, and plant a pot of flowers. If you have porch furniture, clean it off and wash the cushions.

Keep landscape fire-safe. If you live in an area with dry summers (such as California), doing what you can to keep dry brush away from your home is an essential fire-prevention measure. Remove weeds, fallen leaves, needles and other items (like stacks of firewood) that could become fuel in a fire from the area immediately surrounding your home. All such material should be cleared from within 30 feet of your home to create defensible space, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.


Deep-clean your grill. Grilling season has arrived! Make sure your grill is ready to hold up to plenty of backyard barbecues by giving it a deep cleaning — a clean grill works more efficiently and prevents flare-ups. If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water.


Tune up your lawn mower and garden tools. Sharp tools are safer and do a better job. Take your lawn mower and clippers in for a sharpening and tuneup so they’re ready to work hard. Keep garden tools in good shape throughout the season by wiping them off with a damp cloth after use, drying them well and coating them lightly with a few drops of a multipurpose oil.


Test irrigation systems. A sprinkler or irrigation hose that has a blockage or leak can quickly cause major problems for your lawn and garden. Test your sprinklers and irrigation system at the beginning of the season, and again before leaving on any trips. Tired of trying to keep the lawn green all summer? Planting a low-maintenance lawn alternative can be a smart move, especially in regions with dry summers like California.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Season


Add shade to outdoor spaces. Having enough shade in the backyard can make the difference between an appealing outdoor space and one you avoid when the sun is high. Add freestanding umbrellas for portable shade around outdoor seating and dining areas, or install a shade sail (as shown here) for a more permanent shady spot.

Upgrade pool safety measures. If you have a pool or hot tub in your backyard, the best way to prevent accidents is to implement as many layers of safety as possible, including adult supervision, CPR training, safety barriers and door and pool alarms. Make sure to keep your pool and hot tub clean and in good working order with regular inspections, and if you’re looking to add another layer of safety, consider adding a self-closing, self-latching gate at least 4 feet high, to prevent children from jumping or falling in, and place a safety cover on your pool when not in use. The American Red Cross also recommends installing a pool alarm that will go off when anyone enters the pool.

Schedule big home projects. Whether you’re dreaming of a landscape makeover or need to replace a deck, don’t delay booking the right pro for the job. Their schedules tend to fill up quickly in the summer — plus, the sooner the work is done, the longer you will have to enjoy it.



Source: Houzz


Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By

By Dusty Rhodes • March 16, 2026
They’re often called aging-in-place features, but things like curbless showers, nonslip flooring and wide walkways and doorways can benefit everyone, no matter their age or ability. “Regardless of aging in place, there is a place for these in day-to-day life, whether it be a teenager on crutches, a family member having had surgery, active kids,” designer Dana Bass says. “It’s not just about aging in place. We’ve got to account for unplanned life emergencies.” Designer Tammy Battistessa of Ellaire Kitchen & Bath Design agrees. “Whenever possible, I include aging-in-place and universal design features in every project, as I believe many of these features benefit clients of all ages and abilities, in addition to allowing a client to safely remain in their home for a longer period of time,” she says. Creating a home that can adapt also makes it more sustainable. “Aging in place is a key element to making legacy homes that can evolve over time,” architect Tim Barber says. With all that in mind, we asked more than 50 home design and construction professionals to share the aging-in-place features they always recommend. Here are the 10 that came up again and again. 1. Wide Walkways and Doorways Planning ahead is one of the most important steps when incorporating aging-in-place features. Many of these elements require thoughtful design and construction, so it’s wise to start early — and to consider hiring professionals who understand the nuances. “Thinking through how you will really use the space makes all the difference,” designer Haiku Durden of HDS Design says. “Having a designer involved really makes a difference.” A professional can help you create a plan that works for your current needs and anticipates future ones. “We currently default to aging-in-place features when our clients are near retirement or retirement age,” says designer Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio . “Preplanning by adding blocking behind the wall finish, spacious floor planning to allow for wheelchair or walker use.” In fact, spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways — and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures — make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Installing a continuous flooring material throughout also reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms.

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

By Dusty Rhodes • March 2, 2026
There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price . The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data . That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “ While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.” They can’t see: The unique features that make your house special All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as a local agent who has boots on the ground day in and day out. In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high. If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one. That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents. What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table According to 1000WATT , sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools. 

Top 3 Reasons To Buy a Home Before Spring

By Dusty Rhodes • February 23, 2026
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, you may be focused on the spring market. And hoping that when spring does hit, you’ll see: Mortgage rates drop a little more. More homes hit the market. But here’s what most buyers don’t realize. Buying just a few weeks earlier could mean paying less, dealing with less stress, and feeling less rushed. Here are three reasons why accelerating your timeline over the next few weeks could actually be a better play. 1. Holding Out for Lower Rates May Not Pay Off A lot of buyers are hoping mortgage rates will fall even further. But that’s not the best strategy. Here’s why. Experts are pretty aligned on this: rates are expected to stay roughly where they are. Forecasts throughout the industry all point to the same thing: rates are projected to be in the low-6% range this year ( see graph below ) :