12 cheap and easy summer home projects

This post comes from Marilyn Lewis at partner site Money Talks News.

Homes take a beating on the outside, from wind, rain, sun, insects and snow. Summer gives you a chance to repair damage, protect your home and keep its face to the world looking bright.

Home maintenance is like housework, flossing and exercise: You might as well work it into your routine, becausethe penalties are worse than the jobs themselves.

Here's just one example: Cleaning the gutters costs nothing if you do it yourself, and roughly $100 to $200 if you hire a service. Ignore the job, though, and a ruined roof or damaged foundation could cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Here's why:

Here's our list of easy summer maintenance projects and how to do them as cheaply as possible.

1. Paint

Fresh paint doesn't just make your home look great. It's a protective skin against UV light and moisture.

Earth911 tells where to get free paint:

Call your city to ask about your local HHW facility. Other sources for cheap paint:

2. Mulch

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12 cheap and easy summer home projects