May Home Maintenance Checklist: 30 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer

As spring transitions into summer, May is the perfect time to give your home a little extra love. With warmer weather on the horizon, your outdoor spaces, home systems, and overall property need a refresh to ensure they stay functional and beautiful through the hottest months of the year.

Tackling a few key maintenance tasks now can prevent costly repairs and keep your living environment safe and enjoyable all summer long.

Whether you’re preparing your home for the spring real estate market or just ensuring it’s staying in tip-top shape, here’s a comprehensive May Home Maintenance Checklist to guide you:

1. Refresh Your Outdoor Living Spaces

May marks the official start of outdoor living season. Whether you’re hosting barbecues, relaxing on the patio, or spending evenings under the stars, your outdoor spaces deserve attention.

• Prepare patios and decks: Sweep, power wash, and inspect for any damage. Look for loose boards, cracked tiles, or worn-out areas that may need repairs or replacement.
• Plant summer flowers: Brighten up your garden beds and pots with seasonal blooms like petunias, marigolds, and zinnias. Summer flowers not only add color but also boost curb appeal.
• Inspect and clean outdoor furniture: Hose down your furniture, scrub cushions, and treat wood or metal pieces as needed to prevent weather-related wear.
• Check and repair fences: Tighten loose boards, replace broken panels, and apply fresh paint or stain to protect the wood.
• Stain or seal wood surfaces: Decks, pergolas, and wood fencing benefit from a new coat of stain or sealant to guard against sun and rain damage.
• Clean and organize the grill: Deep clean the grill grates, check the propane tank or charcoal supplies, and stock up on accessories for summer grilling.

2. Keep Up with Exterior Upkeep

Maintaining your home’s exterior is crucial to prevent bigger problems down the road.

• Inspect and clean gutters: Clear out leaves and debris to ensure proper drainage and prevent water damage.
• Check for roof damage: Look for missing shingles, cracks, or signs of wear, and schedule repairs if needed.
• Service outdoor lighting: Replace any burnt-out bulbs, clean light fixtures, and test timers or motion detectors.
• Start a lawn care routine: Aerate your lawn, reseed any bare patches, and establish a regular watering and mowing schedule.
• Power wash exterior surfaces: Siding, driveways, and walkways can collect grime over time—power washing instantly freshens the look.
• Check irrigation systems: Inspect for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and ensure timers are set for efficient watering.
• Inspect and clean windows: Wash windows inside and out for a sparkling finish, and check screens for holes or tears.

3. Prioritize Safety and Security

Your family’s safety is always top priority, and May is a great time to ensure all systems are in working order.

• Test smoke detectors: Press the test button on each detector and replace batteries if needed.
• Assess your home security system: Confirm that alarms, motion sensors, and surveillance cameras are operational.
• Check carbon monoxide detectors: These lifesaving devices need regular testing too—don’t overlook them!
• Inspect and clean chimneys: Even if you won’t use it until fall, now’s a good time to make sure your chimney is free of obstructions.
• Check outdoor lighting: Motion-sensing lights and pathway illumination improve safety and deter unwanted visitors.
• Review emergency escape plans: Go over fire escape routes and procedures with your household.
• Update emergency supplies: Replace expired items in your emergency kits and restock essentials like water, batteries, and first aid supplies.

4. Transition Your HVAC System for Summer

A well-maintained HVAC system is key to staying cool and comfortable all summer long.

• Change HVAC filters: Dirty filters reduce efficiency and air quality—swap them out for a fresh start.
• Schedule a professional HVAC check: A technician can tune up your system, check refrigerant levels, and catch any potential issues before a breakdown occurs.
• Clean and inspect ducts: Ensure there are no blockages or leaks in the ductwork that could impair performance.
• Seal any drafts: Even in warmer months, drafts can waste energy and money.
• Test air conditioning units: Turn on your AC early to check that it’s cooling properly.
• Ensure proper insulation: Good insulation isn’t just for winter—it keeps cool air in and hot air out during summer.
• Adjust thermostat settings: Program your thermostat for energy efficiency as temperatures rise.

5. Declutter and Organize Indoors

Spring cleaning isn’t just for March and April! May is ideal for refreshing your interior spaces.

• Declutter living spaces: Donate, recycle, or toss items that no longer serve you.
• Evaluate your home office setup: With remote work still prevalent, make sure your workspace is efficient and comfortable.
• Deep clean carpets and rugs: Dust, pollen, and dirt accumulate—schedule a professional cleaning or rent a cleaner.
• Clean and organize closets: Swap out cold-weather clothes for lighter summer wardrobes.
• Plan for summer projects: Identify any home improvement projects you want to tackle in the coming months.
• Service and clean appliances: Wipe down the fridge coils, clean the oven, and check the dishwasher filters.
• Check and replace batteries: In remotes, smoke detectors, and other small devices.

6. Plumbing Checkup

A small leak today can turn into a big problem tomorrow. Prevent water damage with a quick plumbing inspection.

• Inspect for leaks: Check under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances for any signs of water.
• Check the water heater: Flush the tank to remove sediment buildup and ensure it’s heating properly.
• Insulate exposed pipes: Protect against temperature fluctuations that can cause pipes to expand and contract.
• Examine hose connections: Outdoor hoses and faucets should be free of leaks and securely attached.
• Test the sump pump: Pour water into the sump pit to make sure the pump activates and drains properly.
• Check toilet components: Inspect flappers, fill valves, and seals to prevent leaks.
• Clear clogged drains: Use a safe, chemical-free method to clear slow drains and avoid backups.

Final Thoughts

By following this comprehensive May Home Maintenance Checklist, you’ll protect your home’s value, boost its curb appeal, and ensure a smooth transition into the vibrant summer season. Whether you tackle all the tasks yourself or hire professionals for certain jobs, staying proactive now saves you money, stress, and time later. Here’s to a beautiful, worry-free summer in a well-maintained home!

About the author: The above “May Home Maintenance Checklist: 30 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer” was written by Kyle Hiscock. Kyle has been selling real estate in the Greater Rochester NY area for over 14 years and has helped hundreds of buyers and sellers move in, move around, and move out of the area!

About Rochester’s Real Estate Blog: Rochester’s Real Estate Blog is owned and operated by Kyle Hiscock of the Hiscock Sold Team at RE/MAX Realty Group.

Since being launched in 2013, Kyle has published more than 150 quality, in-depth, and unique real estate related articles on the Rochester Real Estate Blog pertaining to topics varying from home selling to mortgages and everything in between!  In addition to quality real estate related content, there are also many quality articles pertaining to the Greater Rochester NY area.

The Rochester Real Estate Blog has been recognized by many reputable websites as one of the best real estate blogs to visit and follow!  In addition to being recognized as one of the best real estate blogs, Kyle has been recognized as one of the top Realtors on social media by several organizations and websites.

The Hiscock Sold Team has over 50 years of combined experience, so if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.