Summer projects for the house and the yard

Summer is the season for building and painting outside, and for keeping the house cool while you do it. The long dry days suit concrete, stain and paint, but the hot weather also means shade, water and cooling are the things people regret not planning. Working out the quantities for each job before the weekend avoids a second trip in the heat.

This planner starts with comfort (cooling and ventilation), then moves to the outdoor builds, then the finishing, then pool and lawn care.

Step 1: Cool the house

Size an air conditioner to the room, since one that is too big cycles on and off and does not remove moisture well. A ceiling fan the right size for the room moves air for very little power, and a dehumidifier handles damp basements and muggy rooms.

Step 2: Let the attic breathe

A hot attic heats the rooms below. Check that there is enough vent area at the soffits and the ridge so that air can flow through, and compare the amount of insulation with what is recommended for your area.

Step 3: Build the deck, patio or fence

Dry weather is the time to pour footings and slabs and to set posts. Measure the area once, then work out the boards, pavers or posts, and the concrete for the footings. A common mistake is ordering the surface and forgetting the frame and the base.

Step 4: Paint and stain outside

Exterior paint and deck stain need dry weather and the right temperature on the label, so plan the dry days. Measure the surface, subtract the openings and buy the gallons for the coats you need.

Step 5: Pool, lawn and water

A pool needs the right amount of salt and a pump of the right size, and both start from the volume. Water the lawn deeply and early in the day, and measure how long your sprinklers need to put down the water the grass wants.

Before you start

• The size of each room that needs cooling and its sun exposure.
• The length and width of the deck, patio or fence run, and a sketch.
• The weather forecast for dry days, and the temperature range on the stain or paint label.
• Shade, water and sunscreen for the person doing the work.
• Any permit or HOA approval needed for a deck, fence or pool.

Mistakes that cost people money

• Buying an air conditioner by habit instead of sizing it to the room.
• Building a deck or patio on a base that was not prepared or drained.
• Staining or painting in direct hot sun, which dries it before it can bond.
• Pouring concrete on a very hot day without a plan to keep it damp while it cures.
• Watering the lawn a little every evening instead of deeply and less often.

Frequently asked questions