June Home Maintenance Checklist: Prep Your Home for Summer

We made it to June! The winter coats are officially packed away, the lawnmowers are singing their weekly song, and summer is in full swing here in Titletown.

While June is prime time for backyard BBQs and weekend trips to the lake, it’s also the absolute best month to tackle a few quick home maintenance tasks. Taking care of these now ensures your home stays cool, your energy bills stay manageable, and you won't have to deal with any unexpected breakdowns when July’s humidity rolls in.

Grab a cold drink, and let's knock out this quick June home checklist!

1. Show Your AC Some Love

Before the true "dog days of summer" arrive, give your air conditioning unit a little TLC.

• Change the Filter: If you haven’t changed your HVAC filter since spring, do it today. A dirty filter forces your system to work twice as hard, driving up your Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) bill.
  
  
• Clear the Condenser: Head outside and check your AC condenser unit. Clear away any stray grass clippings, cottonwood fluff, dandelions, or overgrown bushes within two feet of the unit so it can breathe.
  
  

2. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters

We get our fair share of heavy summer thunderstorms in June. If your gutters are clogged with leftover fall leaves or spring helicopter seeds, rainwater will overflow.

• Why it matters: Overflowing gutters can pool water right next to your foundation, leading to a wet basement—the last thing any Green Bay homeowner wants.
  
  
• The fix: Safely clear out the debris and run a garden hose through the gutters to ensure the downspouts are directing water away from your home’s foundation.
  
  

3. Seal Up the Cool Air (Window & Door Check)

Don't pay to cool the neighborhood! Take a walk around your house and inspect the caulking and weatherstripping around your windows and doors.

• The Test: On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick or a candle near window frames. If the smoke flickers, you’ve got an air leak.
  
  
• The Fix: Re-caulk any gaps or replace worn-out weatherstripping. It keeps the cool air in and keeps those pesky Wisconsin mosquitoes out.
  
  

4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Did you know your ceiling fans have a summer setting?

• The Trick: Flip the small switch on the side of your fan motor so the blades spin counterclockwise.
  
  
• The Result: This creates a downward breeze that produces a "wind-chill" effect on your skin. It won't actually lower the room's temperature, but it will make you feel cooler, allowing you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher.
  
  

5. Wash the Windows and Screens

Now that the pollen storm of May has mostly passed, it’s time to let the summer sunlight in.

• Pop the screens: Take your window screens out, lay them on the lawn or driveway, and gently scrub them with mild soapy water and a soft brush. Hose them down and let them dry.
  
  
• Wash the glass: Wash your windows on a cloudy June day. If you do it in direct, hot sunlight, the cleaner will dry too fast and leave annoying streaks!
  
  

6. Prep Your Outdoor Living Space

June is all about patio living, so make sure your outdoor oasis is safe and clean.

• Inspect the Deck: Check your deck for any popped nails, loose railings, or splintering wood. If water no longer beads up on the wood when it rains, it might be time to schedule a weekend for staining and sealing.
  
  
• Check the Grill: Clean out the grease trap, scrub the grates, and check your propane levels (or charcoal stash) so you aren’t caught empty-handed right before a Friday night cookout.
  
  

Pro-Tip for Green Bay Homeowners:

Keep an eye out for the city's seasonal curbside collection schedules. If you are trimming back large tree branches or bushes this month to keep them away from your roofline and siding, make sure you're following the city's brush pickup guidelines to get rid of the debris easily!

What’s at the top of your home to-do list this month? Are you tackling the gutters or focusing on the patio setup? Let us know in the comments below!