Summer is the season of open windows and outdoor projects. Some people wilt in the heat. I thrive—-one benefit of my Texas childhood? Or maybe because it’s such a great time to give old houses some love. Lo
nger days and (generally) drier weather create ideal conditions for maintaining your house’s envelope (all the parts that distinguish and protect the outside from inside), especially one of its most vulnerable features: exterior woodwork.
I always tell clients that preservation is not about freezing a house in time—it’s about ongoing stewardship. So here’s a list of summer home maintenance tasks that will help keep your old house beautiful, healthy, and standing strong for generations to come.
1. Inspect Exterior Wood
Let’s start with the good stuff. Your cornices, window casings, porch columns, balustrades, brackets, and clapboards—architectural details that give your house its special character. But they’re also the first to suffer from neglect.
Take a lap around the house with a notepad. Look for:
- Peeling paint
- Open seams or soft spots
- Mildew or moss (especially on the north side)
- Any evidence of water staining or active rot
If you find a bit of trouble, don’t panic. A little early intervention can go a long way. (If you need a second set of eyes on problem areas, please reach out for a video call or site visit! Happy to help.)
2. Touch Up Paint—Strategically
Spring and fall are generally the best times to repaint an entire house, but summer’s the right time to scrape, sand, and spot-prime areas where paint has failed. Focus on horizontal surfaces like window and door sills, vertical joints, and wood near masonry—all of which take a beating over time.
Curious about latex paint alternatives that protect and prolong the life of wood? Watch my video about linseed oil paint here
3. Clean and Repair Gutters and Downspouts
This one’s not glamorous, but it’s critical. Overflowing gutters lead to water cascading down your fascia boards and siding. That moisture, in turn, leads to—you guessed it—wood rot.
Clear out leaves, inspect gutter joints and brackets, and make sure downspouts direct water at least 3 feet away from the foundation.
Do you have integrated gutters? They go by many names—Yankee, box, built-in—and are the object of much love-hate. Loved for their clever design often doubling as a cornice or deep eave, hated for their proneness to hidden problems. If you have them, congratulations (I’m clearly in the love camp)! But do have someone look at them regularly to nip issues in the bud.
4. Inspect Porch Details
Your porch is your house’s calling card. It’s also one of the most exposed features.
Look closely at:
- Column bases (check for rot or insect damage)
- Flooring (especially near steps and edges)
- Skirtboards and lattice (which often suffer silently)
- Railings and balusters (wiggle test: if they move, investigate)
5. Schedule a Professional Assessment (if needed)
If you’re not sure whether that wood rot is cosmetic or structural—or if you just want a preservation-sensitive roadmap for maintenance—bring in a pro. Sometimes, just knowing what’s urgent and what can wait brings huge peace of mind.
Old houses are like old friendships—they require time, attention, and a little summer care. But the reward is a home that keeps us grounded in who we really are.
So grab your hat, pour a lemonade, and step outside. Your house is counting on you.
AUTHOR KATE WOOD grew up criss-crossing the country in the family’s Volkswagen Bus, visiting house museums, battlefields, Main Streets, and national parks. Today, she is an award-winning preservationist, real estate broker and principal of the full-service historic rehabilitation consulting firm, Worth Preserving. Kate believes in the essential value of old-building stewardship to sustain community character. For her, each property is a cause and each client a fellow advocate. She specializes in matching people with properties, skilled contractors, historic tax credits and other benefits to support top-tier rehabilitation projects.
