May Maintenance Checklist
We’ve been fantasizing about it for months, and finally warmer weather has arrived. We know: You just want to fire up the grill and start working on your tan—we do, too! But before you can kick back in your hammock or start floating in your pool, if that’s your thing, there are a few tasks you’ll need to tackle.
And you can bet they’re all outside.
“The old adage ‘April showers bring May flowers’ is true, if you plant flowers that is, and this makes May prime time for landscaping and lawn care.” It's also your last chance to get the outdoor chores done before the really warm North Texas summer days begin!
But it goes beyond gardening and yard work. Now’s the last chance to take care of all that winter wear and tear and transform your home’s outdoor space into something worthy of the ‘host with the most.’
The good news? We’re here to make it as quick and easy on you as possible—with our handy checklist of home maintenance chores, you can knock them out and get back to that pool float ASAP. We’ve provided tips for doing each task faster and easier—or with the help of a pro.
Inspect patios and walkways
Task: Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hardscape surfaces made of loose brick, stone, and concrete paving materials. Check to see if frost heave and erosion have caused pavers to shift, rise, or sink. You’ll want to fix any unevenness for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.
Shortcuts: Repair hardscape surfaces using a wheelbarrow filled with playground sand and a sturdy trowel. Pry up displaced pavers, smooth and even out the bed with fresh sand, wet the sand to compact it and replace the paver when dry.
Paint exterior trim
Task: After exposure to the elements and UV from the sun your house trim can take quite a beating. The darker the color the harder the UV is on the pigments and the faster the paint can break down. If your trim yields a chalky dust when you rub your hand over it or you see cracks, blisters and chips its time for a fresh coat. Be sure to pressure wash well and scrape any blisters or chipped areas which you may want to hit with a primer if exposing bare wood. Make sure you have a couple of good dry days and then repaint with a good quality paint. Most painters prefer an eggshell or satin as opposed to flat as these have a harder surface and are more resilient to the elements.
Shortcuts: Hire a professional painter. Get access to our Preferred Vendor List at the bottom of this page if you need help.
Repair fences and gates
Task: Cycles of cold and wet weather cause wood to move, twist, and warp. That can make garden gates fall out of alignment and can cause fence pickets to loosen or fall off. Check for signs of loose fencing, and fix sagging gates.
Shortcuts: A cordless battery-powered nail gun ($250) makes quick work of refastening pickets and fence supports. Use only galvanized nails for outdoor work. Use a power drill fitted with a screw tip or a hex driver to remove or tighten loose screws and bolts in gates.
Mulch flower and vegetable beds
Task: Prevent evaporation and help keep weeds in check by insulating planting beds with 2 to 4 inches of mulch.
Shortcuts: Set aside a mulching day and have a landscaping service deliver bulk mulch and dump it where you can get to it easily (like your driveway). Plan on 1 cubic yard of mulch to cover 100 square feet, with mulch 3 inches deep.
Wash windows
Task: As your yard takes shape and your gardens come into full bloom, you’ll want to see everything clearly. It’s time to wash away winter’s dirt and grime from your windows.
Shortcuts: Have a partner clean the outside while you do the inside of the same window. That way, you can identify which side of the glass contains lingering streaks and smudges and get rid of them on the spot. Plus, who wants to clean alone?
Service your grill
Task: Nobody wants a rack of ribs with last year’s grill gunk on them. Before you fire up the ‘barbie’ (BBQ), make sure your grill is clean and that any gas hoses and connections are secure.
Shortcuts: No matter what kind of grill you have, invest in a grill brush or other coarse cleaning brush, remove the grates and metal plates beneath them, and soak them in hot soapy water for five to 10 minutes. Then scrub hard. To rinse, spray them with the hose.
Cover the area where the grates usually go with foil and use a stiff grill brush to clean grime from the hood and inside walls. Use a cleaner specifically designed for your grill’s surface (e.g., stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parts.
Call in the pros: There are professional grill cleaners who will take your barbecue from slimy to spotless, but it may cost you the equivalent of a few porterhouse steaks.
Need professional assistance? Click below for local contractors.
