August Home Maintenance Checklist 

Finish Strong This Summer – Woodstock Hardware Has Your Back

As summer begins to wind down, August is the perfect time to tackle late-season projects, prep your home and garden for fall, and make the most of the warm days that remain. From essential tools to expert advice, Woodstock Hardware is here to help you transition smoothly into the next season.

Follow our August Home Maintenance Plan and help keep your home running smoothly:

barbecued foods

August Around The House 

✓ Canning & Food Preservation

  • Continue your canning activities.  Take advantage of fresh, local produce.
  • Stock up now to prepare for the winter months.

✓ Doors & Windows

  • Check all window and door locks for proper operation.
  • Clean sliding tracks and lubricate hinges with spray Teflon (avoid oil-based WD-40).
  • Replace any broken window glass.
    • Woodstock Hardware offers glass cutting and reglazing supplies — visit the Services Center.

✓ Garage Maintenance

  • Inspect garage door for wear or damage.
  • Replace worn weather stripping seals.
  • Lubricate door tracks with garage-specific grease.

✓ Home Exterior

  • Walk around the house to check for brick or mortar cracks in foundation or chimney.
    • Use concrete caulk, premixed patch or powdered fillers for repairs.
    • Visit the Caulk, Fillers and Adhesive Department at Woodstock Hardware.
  • Inspect your roof for summer storm damage or wear.
  • Power wash patios, walkways and house exterior if needed.

✓ Gutters & Drainage

  • If not done yet this year, clean your gutters.
  • Replace any damaged or leaking sections.
  • Install downspout guards or gutter screens to block debris.
  • Look for standing water around your home to avoid mosquito breeding.

✓ Fasteners & Hardware

  • Inventory your nails, screws and fasteners before fall projects begin.
  • Woodstock Hardware carries:
    • Nails for pneumatic tools
    • Coiled screws for Duraspin guns
    • Nuts, bolts and specialty fasteners
    • Visit the Fasteners, Nails, Nuts & Bolts, and Screw Department.

✓ Attic & Insulation

  • Inspect your attic insulation for gaps or damage.
  • Consider adding more insulation to reduce heating costs.
  • Inspect insulation around doors and windows for heat loss prevention.
  • Add weatherstripping or door sweeps to block drafts.

✓ Septic System

  • If applicable, pump your septic tank (recommended every 5–8 years depending on usage and size).

✓ Lawn & Garden

  • Water deeply during dry spells (early morning is best).
  • Trim overgrown trees and shrubs away from your home.
  • Apply a slow-release fertilizer to prep your lawn for fall.
  • Check hoses, sprinklers and outdoor faucets for leaks.

✓ Interior Home Maintenance

  • Clean out dryer vents to reduce fire risk and improve efficiency.
  • Check home security systems — locks, cameras, alarms.
  • Clean and inspect attic or basement for signs of moisture or mold.
  • Touch up chipped paint inside or out.
  • Look for pest activity, especially ants or rodents.
  • Clean behind large appliances (fridge, stove, washer/dryer).

August In The Yard

✓ Planning & Evaluation

  • Use August to evaluate your yard. Take notes on what worked and what didn’t.
  • Record ideas for next year’s improvements and save them for winter planning.

✓ Pest & Disease Control

  • Stay on top of Japanese beetle control and protect vulnerable plants like roses.
  • Watch for pests like:
    • Aphids, scale, mosquitoes, ants, caterpillars
    • Treat promptly with organic or appropriate solutions.
  • Monitor for signs of disease and remove any affected foliage early.

✓ Pool Maintenance

  • Maintain proper chemical balance — adjust after heavy rains or extreme heat.

✓ Enjoy Summer

  • Grill out and relax with family and friends.
  • Take advantage to enjoy local produce.

✓ Lawn Care

  • Continue mowing regularly, keeping grass at 3–4 inches to retain moisture.
  • Aerate the lawn if soil is compacted to improve root health.

✓ Garden Maintenance

  • Weed regularly — pulling weeds when small makes it easier to manage.
  • Deadhead annuals and perennials to promote continued blooming.
  • Harvest vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers regularly.
  • Thin overcrowded plants to improve air flow and growth.
  • Prune back damaged or diseased foliage to boost overall plant health.
  • Avoid heavy pruning of spring-blooming shrubs at this time of year.

✓ Watering

  • Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation and prevent fungal issues.

✓ Fall Preparation

  • Begin planning for fall plantings. Consider bulbs like tulips and daffodils.
  • Trim back perennials that have finished blooming.
  • Divide overgrown perennials to encourage healthier growth next season.

August In The Garden

✓ Houseplant Care

  • Start bringing in houseplants that spent the summer outside.
  • Repot plants if needed, before bringing them indoors.
  • Stock up on houseplant supplies:
    • Pots
    • Potting soil
    • Vermiculite
    • African violet/orchid soil
    • Fertilizers

✓ Vegetable Garden & Harvesting

  • Continue canning your harvest to enjoy fresh produce throughout the winter.
  • Harvest ripe vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and peppers regularly.
  • Remove overripe or damaged fruit to prevent pests and diseases.
  • Side-dress heavy feeders (e.g. tomatoes, peppers) with compost or balanced fertilizer.
  • Fertilize actively growing vegetables, flowers and perennials.

✓ Flower & Shrub Maintenance

  • Deadhead and cut back perennials that have finished blooming.
  • Perform summer pruning:
    • Cut back aggressively growing shrubs and bushes.
    • Remove wild shoots or growth that compromise structure or appearance.
  • Prune summer-blooming shrubs and flowers after blooming ends.

✓ Watering & Moisture Management

  • Water early in the morning or late at night to reduce evaporation.
  • If it’s been dry, maintain consistent watering.
  • If it’s been wet, check for mold and treat fungal issues as needed.

✓ Soil & Mulch

  • Loosen compacted soil around plants to aid root growth.
  • Weed regularly to prevent invasive plant takeover.
  • Keep mulch away from stems to avoid rot.

✓ Garden Health

  • Thin overcrowded plants to improve air circulation and reduce disease risk.

✓ Fall Prep

  • Start planning for fall bulb planting — order bulbs like tulips and daffodils.
  • Divide large perennials and replant or share with others.
caulks on the shelf
 

Make This Your Best Year of Homeownership Yet

With over 30 years of hands-on experience, Woodstock Hardware is your trusted local partner for professional advice, quality tools, and everything you need to keep your home, yard and garden thriving. 

We are here to help.