10 “Must Do” Home Projects for May

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May is a month worth celebrating. As the days become warmer and sunnier, seasonal to-dos both inside and outside the house seem like less of a chore. Make the most of this energizing month by getting your lawn off to a good start, maintaining outdoor tools and gear, and improving your home’s curb appeal. In preparation for the hot summer months ahead, you’ll also want to make sure that your fans and air conditioners are ready to go.

1. Get your grill ready.

Put in the work now to get your grill clean so you can enjoy a spontaneous barbecue whenever the mood strikes you.

• When cleaning gas grills, be sure to clear clogs or obstructions in the burner jets and ensure you have ample propane on hand.
• If you own a charcoal grill, scrub away any ash or grease.

To de-gunk the grill top to bottom without inhaling noxious fumes, try the nontoxic and biodegradable CitruSafe Grill and Grate Cleaner. The made-in-the-USA spray was the top performer in our tested guide to the best grill cleaners.

2. Open your swimming pool for the season.

The time to open your swimming pool is when temperatures in your region are consistently 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. May is when most U.S. pool owners should be skimming, shocking the pool, and adding algaecide, though given the fair weather in Southern states some have surely been swimming for a month now.

3. Sharpen your lawn mower blades.

Not only does a sharp blade keep your lawn mower in tip-top shape, but doing so can actually improve your lawn’s appearance. Dull blades can tug and rip grass instead of trimming it cleanly. If your lawn looks ragged, it may mean it’s time to take the mower blade to the hardware store for a professional sharpening. If you choose to sharpen mower blades yourself, you’ll need a grinder and some thick work gloves, like Ironclad Ranchworx work gloves—and a lawn mower blade sharpener, of course.

Photo: The Home Depot

4. Clean and tune up your air conditioner.

Just as you readied your furnace for fall, now is the time to make sure that your air conditioning units are in good working order for the warmer months ahead.

• Change or clean the filter, check hose connections for leaks, and confirm that the drain pans are draining freely.
• If you suspect performance or efficiency problems with your air conditioning system, book an appointment with a professional service now.
• Homeowners with window air conditioners should install them now, before temperatures soar.

If you’re in the market for a window unit, our tested guide to the best small window air conditioners is a good place to start.

5. Paint your home’s exterior.

Nothing makes a bigger impact on your home’s curb appeal than a painting the exterior of your house. Before you pick out your house paint colors, there are a few maintenance tasks to take care of first:

• Check the siding for any damaged or rotting boards because you’ll need to make repairs before you paint.
• Remove and sand any flaking paint so the fresh paint adheres properly.
• Remove old caulk from around windows and doors and reseal them with a paintable sealant.

Wondering which paint you should use? Our researched guide to the best exterior paints is a good place to start.

6. Organize the garage.

The garage is often a multipurpose storage room, but that doesn’t make it the household dumping ground. If yours is overrun with clutter, take a sunny afternoon to roll up the door and clean out the garage. Make sure you properly dispose of old paint, batteries, and household chemicals. Check with municipal authorities to determine the correct way to dispose of these and other hazardous waste materials; your city may even offer to pick them up.

7. Illuminate the yard.

There are many ways to illuminate your backyard and garden to make your property safer and more appealing to use after the sun goes down. Perhaps you need security lighting in your front yard, or brighter illumination around the back patio and path. Selecting solar-powered products makes this an easy upgrade: KOOPER Solar-Powered LED lanterns, for example, cast a festive glow for nighttime entertaining.

Photo: Amazon

8. Clean your garden tools.

You’d never dream of returning used silverware to a kitchen drawer without washing it, but many home gardeners do something nearly as bad: stash dirt-caked garden tools in the garage or shed after use. This habit is more than simply dirty; it can do major damage to tools over time. When you’re finished planting, digging, and weeding, clean garden tools before putting them away. Dry them thoroughly to prevent rust, then wipe the blades and handles in linseed oil to keep them looking and working like new.

9. Swap out your window treatments.

In the warm weather months, however, it’s a good idea to swap out heavy thermal curtains for them out for transparent sheer curtains that allow light and breeze in through open windows (the NICETOWN white sheer curtain panels are our go-tos). If sheers aren’t your thing, consider swapping in solar screen shades that let in light while blocking excess heat. They will keeps your home’s temperature, and AC bills, at a comfortable level.

10. Pest-proof the patio.

Pest prevention for your yard starts now: Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so be diligent about dumping rain and runoff from pots, furniture, and birdbaths. Consider adding mosquito-repellent plants like citronella or marigolds to your flower beds. DIYers who enjoy woodworking can also try building a bat house. These gentle creatures eat swarms of bugs each night, and bring you that much closer to a bug-free backyard.

The post 10 “Must Do” Home Projects for May appeared first on Bob Vila.

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