The Ultimate End-of-Summer Home Repair List

We don't want to bum anyone out, but facts are facts: Summer, sadly, is coming to a close. It won't be long before the temperatures drop and the leaves start to fall. And if you want to keep your house happy, there are a few fixes you'd be smart to do before the seasons change.

Not sure where to begin? Not to worry — we've got you covered. Here are the end-of-summer home repairs you should check off while there's still time.

Protect Your Porch/Deck

If you don't regularly maintain your deck or porch, you might not notice any changes at first. But the surface will get dirty and become much rougher much sooner, and the overall quality will likely diminish faster than you'd like.

That's why a yearly deck checkup is in order. Look for loose boards or protruding wood, clean the entire surface thoroughly, and reseal all exposed surfaces with a clear or semi-clear liquid sealant.

Average Cost: Prices vary considerably, depending on the company you hire and the size of your deck. According to a HomeAdvisor survey, the national average cost to seal a deck is $808, but the typical range is anywhere between $509 and $1,111.

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Fix Your Driveway

If you have a driveway, it's most likely made of concrete or asphalt. Both types will eventually need to be resealed, and you should let vision be your ultimate guide on this. If you notice even a slight cracking in the surface, it's a good idea to contact a driveway contractor for a consultation.

If you have a concrete driveway, you're going to want to keep it clean. Just use a metallic brush and mild detergent to remove surface dirt. As far as repairs go, if you notice any cracks, you should deal with them right away. Fixing a small crack yourself requires only a few tools and compounds, all of which are available at your local hardware store. Fixing small cracks now keeps them from becoming big cracks later.

If you have an asphalt driveway, you need to wait at least six months post-installation to seal it. The material needs at least this long to cure. As for maintenance, keep it simple: Dish soap and warm water only. Chemical detergents can damage the material, so you want to avoid them. If you do find any tough stains, call a contractor right away to see about removing them. Doing it yourself can cause damage.

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Average Cost: This varies largely based on your location and climate. The average cost for sealing a driveway in the East is typically between 10 and 16 cents per square foot. By those measures, resealing a 1,000-square-foot driveway in this area would cost between $100 and $160.

The average national cost to seal an asphalt driveway is $409, but most homeowners spend between $229 and $550.

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Love Your Lawn

Yes, it looks like your grass has stopped growing, but don't be fooled: The roots are growing deeper into the ground in preparation for winter. Now is actually the best time to fertilize and and reseed your lawn.

Depending on what kind of grass and soil you have, this may also be the time to aerate your lawn. It's best to do this just before your grass' active growing period. Warm season grasses begin their growing period at the beginning of the summer, while cool season grasses begin their growing period at the end of the summer.

Average cost: The average cost to fertilize a lawn is $244, and the average cost to aerate a lawn is $124.

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Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Sprinkler systems are a big help in the summer, but if you don't make sure things are in order at the end of the season, they can be a huge (and expensive) nuisance in the winter. The main thing you need to do here is ensure all water in the lines, pipes, fittings, vales, sprinklers, pumps, etc., has been removed.

If any water is allowed to remain in this system, it will freeze and expand later — likely breaking some or all of these materials. In order to ensure this has been done, it's best to have a professional use an air compressor to literally "blow" all the water out of the system.

Average cost: The average cost to winterize a sprinkler system is $81. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of having to replace your entire sprinkler system, which typically costs in the $1,803 to $3,332 range.

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Clean the Gutters

Gutters protect your house and lawn by diverting water away and releasing it slowly into designated areas of your yard so it can drain. They prevent yards from flooding and eroding, but in order to do this, they need to be maintained. This means removing leaves, twigs and other debris that can clog downspouts so that water is able to flow freely. If you don't do this, the water can stand in your gutters too long and eventually pull them down. Yikes.

Average Cost: The average cost to clean gutters and downspouts is $149, and the typical range is $103 to $195. Word to the wise, though: Don't skimp on this service. As one former contractor notes, some gutter repairs end up costing about 100 times more than if you'd simply had your gutters cleaned to begin with.

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Look at the Windows

As the weather gets cooler, you'll probably find yourself spending more and more time back inside looking out. Give yourself a better view when you wash away those summer pollens and get those windows clean again. If your windows aren't aligned quite right or you have trouble closing them, it's a good idea to have a specialist check them out. Windows and doors are typically responsible for about 40 percent of your home's heating bill. So, if there are any alignment gaps, you'll likely be hit with a hefty fuel bill to adjust for the temperature drops they cause.

Average Cost: The national average cost to repair windows is $313. If you only need your windows cleaned, though, most homeowners report paying in the $149 to $292 range.

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Change the Filters

You should change filter in your air conditioner every four to six weeks. Now's a good time to clean off the outside air compressor with water (you can use a garden hose) and make sure there aren't any objects blocking a free flow of air. Your ductwork should be professionally cleaned every three to four years. You'll breathe better, and your home will accumulate less dust.

You should change your furnace filters every year as well, and make sure there are no drapes or objects blocking the vents. The best way stay on top of your central heating maintenance is to have an HVAC contractor give your system a checkup.

Average Cost: The average cost to repair an A/C unit is $330, and most homeowners report paying somewhere in the range of $164 to $512. If your furnace is in need of fixing, the average national cost for repair is $287.

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