It's official—we've reached the “sweat-through-your-shirt-walking-to-the-mailbox” stretch of summer. It may be hard to believe, but it's just six weeks or so until it’s 50° and raining leaves!

So while you’re soaking up the last bit of pool days and patio grilling, it's also time to knock out a few quick home maintenance tasks that will make life a whole lot easier when the weather turns. Here's your Midwest homeowner's guide to preparing your home for this coming fall!

1. Inspect and Upgrade Washing Machine Hoses

Why: After a busy, humid summer, older rubber washer hoses can crack or burst, flooding your laundry room faster than you can say “insurance deductible.” This is a relatively quick and cheap fix that should be done around early August, especially if you’ve been doing more laundry during summer.

How to do it:

• Turn off the water supply and inspect hoses for cracks, bulges, or rust.
• Use adjustable pliers to replace damaged or old hoses with stainless-steel braided hoses, around $25–$35—don’t forget the rubber washers on both ends.

Pro Tip: If your washer is more than five years old, this is a smart (and cheap) way to avoid a hefty repair bill.

2. Prune Dead Tree Limbs and Shrubs

Why: Summer storms in Kansas City can leave behind cracked or weakened limbs that could fall during the next storm, autumn winds, or winter ice. Pruning can prevent home damage and encourage healthy regrowth the following year; this task is best done in mid-to-late August, before fall growth begins and while visibility is still good.

How to do it:

• Inspect trees and larger shrubs in the front and back yards, around the house, and near the roof. Be sure to look for limbs that are touching the roof or gutters, as they can cause problems.
• Use loppers or a pruning saw to cut back dead branches.
• Remove suckers at the base of trees and shape up shrubs.
• Avoid pruning live growth unless it's a hazard—save that for winter.

Pro Tip: While you can easily accomplish ground-level jobs, we recommend hiring a tree trimming professional for anything overhead—especially if limbs are within 10 feet of power lines or hanging over the roof. Safety first!

Clean Out Gutters (Again!)

Why: Clogged gutters equal water damage, mosquitoes love standing water, and overflow can ruin siding, erode your foundation, and flood your basement...need we say more? The best time to complete this task is at the end of August, just before the leaves start to turn and drop.

How to do it:

• Grab a ladder and some gloves. It can be helpful to have another person stand nearby for safety.
• Use a scoop or garden trowel to remove debris from roofline gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks.
• Flush gutters with a hose to check flow.
• Downspouts should carry water at least 4–6 feet away from the house to prevent foundation erosion.

Pro Tip: Are your gutters clogging regularly? Consider installing leaf guards or gutter mesh now before fall hits.

4. Eliminate Wasps and Mosquitoes

Why: Wasps are most aggressive in late summer, and August humidity means peak mosquito season. These insects often hide under eaves, in the yard, around outdoor furniture, and near water sources, making these areas annoying at best and dangerous at worst.

How to do it:

• Aim to clear out these areas early morning or evening, as this is when wasps are less active.
• Scan for nests under eaves, sheds, and deck railings.
• Dump standing water, such as planters, birdbaths, and kids' toys.
• Apply mosquito yard spray, set out traps, or place citronella torches.
• For large and active wasp nests, make sure to use caution and hire professional pest control if needed.

Pro Tip: Use expanding foam or caulk to seal cracks where pests can get into the home, especially around dryer vents and hose bibs.

5. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up

Why: Furnaces tend to fail when the first freeze hits. Make sure your heat works before you need it—before the first cold snap or Labor Day HVAC rush is best!

How to do it:

• Call a licensed HVAC company for a pre-season tune-up; this one is definitely not a DIY job.
• These professionals will inspect the heat exchanger, clean components, check CO levels, and change your filter.
• Check if they offer a fall special or maintenance plan.

Pro Tip: While these experts are working, test your carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries.

6. Clean and Seal Natural Stone Surfaces

Why: Summer patio parties are a blast, but all that grease, wine, and any food stains can permanently etch into natural stone if left untreated. After the bulk of summer BBQs and foot traffic, regular maintenance cleaning can help preserve the look and durability of stone surfaces for many summers to come.

How to do it:

• Sweep or rinse off dirt and grit from outdoor kitchens, patios, walkways, stone steps, and granite countertops.
• Make sure to use a pH-neutral stone cleaner with a soft cloth (no bleach or vinegar).
• For long-term protection from grime and moisture, apply a penetrating stone sealer.

Pro Tip: Regular maintenance and cleaning also help protect your stone surfaces from cracking during the winter freeze/thaw cycles.

7. Seal Up Drafts and Prep Entryways

Why: Air leaks mean higher heating bills during the fall and winter, so it's crucial to seal doors, windows, dryer vents, and attic access in mid to late August just before the temperature drops. This can also prevent pests from sneaking in as they hide from the colder weather.

How to do it:

• Feel for drafts with your hand or use an incense stick near doors and windows.
• Apply fresh caulk or weatherstripping where needed.
• Inspect and replace worn door sweeps.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget the garage door and attic hatch—many people ignore these drafty hot spots that can make a big difference.

8. Prep Garage and Mudroom for Fall

Why: Summer stuff is everywhere, and fall brings a whole new round of boots, jackets, and sports gear—especially once back-to-school chaos kicks in. The good news is that this task is usually quick and easy; grab a friend and knock it out in an hour!

How to do it:

• Store away summer gear (pool toys, lawn games, sprinklers).
• Pull fall gear forward—rakes, leaf blower, boots, and umbrellas.
• Clear a space for wet shoes and coats to dry.

Pro Tip: While you’re organizing, take the opportunity to look for and test your winter gear, such as snowblowers and generators, now, before you need them.

9. Prep for Fall Lawn and Garden Projects

Why: Fall is the best time to seed Midwest lawns (especially fescue and bluegrass), and many fall vegetables need to be planted now to beat the first frost. This can be a fun late-summer DIY project, or you can outsource it to a professional landscaper if you prefer.

How to do it:

• Dethatch or aerate your lawn. You can rent these machines from local hardware or gardening stores, or hire a pro.
• Order grass seed and starter fertilizer.
• Plant broccoli, spinach, kale, or chard for a fall harvest.

Pro Tip: Want blooms next spring? Order tulip and daffodil bulbs now so you’re ready to plant in October.

10. Stay Storm-Ready

Why: The Midwest doesn’t like to follow weather rules, so hail, lightning, and flash floods can still hit hard in August. Ensure your roof, attic, and basement sump pump are prepared in the event of heavy storms and excessive water.

How to do it:

• Check your roof for hail damage or missing shingles. You can use binoculars to aid this process.
• Inspect the attic for water stains after a storm.
• Test your sump pump by dumping a bucket of water into it and ensuring it drains properly.

Pro Tip: Review your homeowners insurance policy now. The last thing you want is to discover you're not covered for water intrusion and roof damage when you're ankle-deep in stormwater.

Final Thoughts

August is your transition month—the best time to prep your home for the season ahead while everything’s still dry, accessible, and (barely) bearable outside. Let’s wrap up summer strong and roll into fall ready for anything!

Need help with any of this? I’ve got a trusted list of local Kansas City-area professionals for everything from furnace tune-ups to pest control, and I'd love to help ensure your home stays safe and warm this fall! Call me at 816-328-2887 today!