For the most part, summer is the time when guests come over to the house for barbecues and holiday events. You want the exterior of the home looking as immaculate as possible. Not only does it fill you with a sense of pride, but it can also make visitors feel more welcome. Some things can even be beneficial to protect the property at the same time. Here are a few of the things I do to get the house ready for the hottest months of the year.

Caring for the Roof and Gutters

Keeping debris off your roof and gutters helps protect your property as well as deliver a nice appearance. This could be especially important for those launching fireworks nearby during special occasions. All it takes is the smallest spark to ruin an otherwise pleasant gathering. It’s not uncommon for the contents within a gutter to ignite due to an aerial firework. Keeping the roof and gutters clean is a relatively easy process.  If you’re not sure how to proceed, it may be wise to contact a professional to assist. Here are a few practical reasons why you would want to care for the roof and gutters this summer:

• Protects the roof during summer storms
• Helps keep water away from the foundation
• Gives the home a fresh appearance from the road
• Prepares the home for the fall and winter months

Exquisite Exterior Walls

A lot of homes just need a simple scrub down to enhance the appearance. Using a simple towel and a bucket of soapy water, you can spend some time washing dirt and grime off the exterior walls. You may want to refrain from using a pressure hose, though. Too much pressure could result in cracking or breaking parts of your siding. In some cases, a fresh coat of paint could make all the difference for exterior walls. Not only will this give your house a fresh new look, but it can also protect the siding from UV damage. This is important because exposure to sunlight will eventually break down the materials in siding over time.

Patio Projects

Sprucing up the patio will offer an elegant appearance. In essence, the patio is like any other room in the house. It needs the same kind of care and attention if you want to keep it looking nice and functional. After all, you might be spending a great deal of time in this area and you want to be comfortable. Here are a few things I do to enhance this area of the home:

• Re-stain or re-apply waterproofing to the wood to give it an amazing appeal
• Add a coat of paint to the trim to enhance the aesthetics
• Re-arrange the furniture to offer a unique experience for yourself
• Clean the grill with a brush and non-toxic solvents to give it a like-new finish

Driveway Adjustments

The driveway is one of those areas that a lot of people forget about. However, it’s also one of the most apparent visuals when arriving at the property. If there are cracks or holes, patching these up could greatly enhance the visage of the homestead. Most cement mixtures are inexpensive and can be picked up at your local hardware store. Simply add the right amount of water and you’ve created filler for the driveway. In more extreme cases, it may not be a bad idea to call in a professional. Using the wrong kind of concrete could be detrimental to fixing the driveway. Once the material sets, it will be that much harder to go back and fix a mistake.

Accentuating the Yard

The yard is one of the most obvious areas for creating the perfect visual during the summer. It’s one of those exterior areas that catches the eyes of everyone, and it will greatly impact curb appeal. The biggest investment you might have for enhancing the lawn is time. Easy modifications include:

• Mowing the grass and keeping edges trimmed
• Planting flowers in gardens or in pots near the doorways
• Installing a rock garden with a tree coming out of the center
• Installing solar-charged lighting along pathways
• Adding accent lighting to areas of interest such as the garden or object on the property
• Installing a small water fountain or waterfall to give the property more of a “living” feel

While many of these can be done on your own, some of the more advanced projects may require help. For example, you may need extensive electrical experience if you want to add elegant accent lighting. These are only a handful of things you can do yourself to make the home’s exterior as perfect as possible. Not only will these modifications turn a few heads in the neighborhood, they can also allow you to feel good about your property. Enhance your summer by giving yourself and guests a superb location to relax. Most of these additions take little effort and don’t require a large investment of money.

About the Author: Jeff E. Brown is a freelance writer and a self-taught handy man with a knack for lifehacking and DIY projects. Based out of his home office where his two dogs keep him company while he types, Jeff loves writing about home improvement topics, teaching others all the tips and tricks he has learned since he moved out of an apartment and into a house. When he’s not writing, he loves organizing barbecue parties in his garden. You can contact Jeff via his landing page.