What things should be on my home maintenance to do list?

That’s a question we often get at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor.

In addition to wanting to protect what is likely your biggest investment — your home — one little wake-up call is that most homeowner insurance policies do not cover deferred maintenance.

Yikes, if that isn’t enough to sharpen your pencil and start working on your “To Do” list!

In other words, if you discover this summer that the caulking on one of your windows wasn’t secure and over time water has been seeping in onto your hardwood floor; most likely you are not covered for that.

Or, maybe you have mold taking over your bathroom. (Although, do check; a few homeowners’ policies cover some severe mold remediation. Oh, but remember that deductible gets paid first!)

When it comes to deferred maintenance — that is, maintenance that has been put off — usually water of some type is involved in the deterioration of a part of your home.

So here’s a list of chores you should consider tackling this summer to keep things running smoothly at your house.

Not all of these chores are suitable for all homeowners. Even if you are a DIYer, use wisdom as to which ones you should tackle yourself .

If you are looking for such professionals we recommend using licensed, bonded and insured contractors with good references.

Basic home maintenance is key

The summer is the perfect time to thoroughly clean up and air out garages, shops, barns and outbuildings. Wash any windows inside and out. Keep your eye on your “junk” as you tidy up. Maybe some of the items can go to places like Habitat’s Restore in Hoquiam, the Goodwill or Earthwise in Aberdeen. Maybe some of them can even be sold through Grays Harbor Swap and Shop or eBay. Perhaps some are flammable and need to be addressed with care — think about wadded up old rags used for refinishing items. They can spontaneously combust and need to kept in metal can with self-closing lid!

Are you cutting — and stacking — fire wood this summer? If so, remember to place it at least 25 feet from your house to discourage bug and critter infestations.

How’s your deck looking? Especially if it’s older, you may want to give it a safety check. Check to see that the posts holding up the deck aren’t rotting at the piers and that the metal brackets are not rusty. Even treated wood will fail, especially where the deck boards are nailed into each joist. This is where water tends to get trapped leading to rot and failure. While you are examining the structure, make sure you see the hex-heads of bolts staggered along the on-edge deck’s rim joist which is attached to the house. If you only see nail heads, you will want to consult with your contractor or building official for a much-needed complete deck inspection.

When was the last time you thoroughly washed your sidewalks, porches and any other walkways? That “green” that we’re so famous for here can grow in the form of moss on all those places. It doesn’t tend to cause much of a problem in summer, but when the rains come it becomes treacherously slick.

This is the time of year to also consider staining or painting your decks and fences. Not only does a fresh coat of paint or stain on your deck and fences freshen up the overall look, but it also lengthens the life of the wood. Before restaining a deck or fence, make sure to give it a quick scrubbing with 30 Second Cleaner first. It will dry fast and be ready for the next step. Power washing wood decks will require several drying days.

When was the last time you painted your house? Our environment is rough on paint and stain, which serves as the biggest barrier you have to keeping the moisture out. On the Harbor, most homes need to be painted every four to eight years. The key to a good job is the tedious prepping — scraping off paint, re-caulking, etc.

Even if this isn’t the year for a new paint job, a good scrub on the exterior. We recommend 30 Second Cleaner. Apply it with a scrub brush — using a long pole, if needed, and give the siding a light scrub. (Make sure to rinse it thoroughly.) Follow the package directions and use a regular hose with flood nozzle to rinse. Pressure washers can damage the paint and siding in the wrong hands and the cleaner method is cheaper and much faster.