Summer will be here before you know it – is your home ready for it? There are many home improvement tasks that are best done before the heat fully sets in for the season. Here are a few suggestions from our real estate agents to help you spruce up your home while you wait for the warm weather to get here. 

• Refinish Your Deck
  Many people spend countless hours outside on their deck during the summer months. Refinishing your deck now will not only help it look better when in use - but it'll also seal away all of those pesky cracks and splinters that always seem to burrow their way into your toes. 
  
  You can pick up a can of wood finish at any hardware store. Once you have it, you can apply it to your deck using a large paintbrush. You can sand the deck down first to make it smoother if you like, but this isn't required. The sealant will create a smooth surface if you apply it carefully. Don't be afraid to add an extra layer if you think it would help, too. 
  
  
• Do Some Pressure-Washing
  Hot summer weather always brings plenty of dirt and dust, so it's a good idea to give the hard surfaces outside your home a good pressure wash before the season starts. 
  
  You'll want to wash any stonework or asphalt on your property, including your driveway and pathways. Depending on their condition, you could also wash your deck and any fences around your yard. Turn the washer onto a low setting when you're washing older boards to avoid splintering them, and always guide the stream downward on vertical surfaces to keep the water jet from shooting dirt into tight crevices.
  
  
• Give Your A/C a Tune-Up
  You'll be glad to have your air conditioning when the summer heat really sets in, but without some preliminary maintenance, it might just fail when you need it most.
  
  Start by dusting the vents and ductwork that feed your A/C system. You'll also want to clean up any sticks, dead plant matter, or other debris around your outdoor unit. Next, check your filter and replace it if needed. Last but not least, schedule a professional maintenance call from your local HVAC shop. This will ensure that your system is in peak condition before the summer heat sets in. 
  
  
• Clean and Repair Your Gutters
  Your gutters do more than just control the flow of water when it's raining. They also protect your home's structure and foundation. If they aren't clean and working as intended, you could end up with major drainage problems that will cost a pretty penny to fix. 
  
  
• Give Your Home a Fresh Coat of Paint
  There's no better time to paint your home than in the late spring or early summer. It's just warm enough to paint comfortably, and the moderate temperatures that are typical of this time of year are perfect for ensuring the paint cures properly.
  
  You can keep things manageable by painting a handful of rooms. Or go all-out and repaint the entire exterior of your home. Give priority to locations that really need it so your home looks fresh and inviting when you're done. 

You can't make summer come any faster, but getting your home ready now will help you make the most of this idyllic time of year. If you're interested in upgrading to an even better home, now is a great time to do that too. Contact us today to learn more about our many Richmond homes for sale.