8 Things You Shouldn’t Wait to Fix in the Summer

Hot weather has a way of making small problems worse fast. And if you let them sit, you’ll either be kicking yourself come fall—or paying more to fix the damage. Some things are better handled now while the sun’s still out and materials can set properly.

Cracked Caulk Around Windows

That dried-out line of sealant might not look like much, but it’s leaking cold air.

When fall hits, you’ll feel every draft. Summer’s dry heat is ideal for recaulking—it sticks better and cures faster.

Sagging or Leaky Gutters

You may not notice it until it rains, but that doesn’t mean it’s not causing problems.

Loose gutters dump water too close to the house, which wrecks foundations and flowerbeds. Get it rehung or replaced now before storms return.

Rotting Deck Boards

One soft board might not seem like a big deal—until someone puts a foot through it.

Summer gives you dry enough conditions to rip out and replace boards without trapping moisture underneath.

Fading Exterior Paint

If your paint’s bubbling or flaking, it’s not protecting your wood or siding anymore.

Tackle it before fall moisture sets in or you’ll be repainting over rot next year.

Foundation Cracks

Small cracks spread fast with heat and soil shifts.

Summer’s the time to seal them before moisture creeps in during cooler weather and causes bigger separation.

Loose Fence Posts

Posts that wiggle now will be flat on the ground by winter.

Set them deep and pack them in tight while the soil’s dry—you’ll get a sturdier hold than trying to fix them in the mud.

Backed-Up Drains

Slow drains in summer usually mean roots or gunk starting to clog things.

Ignoring it means dealing with a full backup when holiday guests roll in. Get it snaked out now while plumbers aren’t slammed.

Window Screens With Holes

You don’t think about them much—until you’re swatting mosquitoes at bedtime.

They’re cheap to fix and worth doing before the fall bugs really come looking for warmth.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.