When most homeowners think of summer maintenance, they think of mowing the lawn, skimming the pool, or tuning up the A/C. But there is another crucial protector of your home’s value that deserves your attention before the dog days of summer set in: your water drainage system.

In Missouri, summer brings intense, sudden thunderstorms that dump inches of rain in a matter of minutes. If your gutters and property grading aren't up to par, that water is headed straight for your foundation.

Here is why summer is the absolute perfect time to inspect your grading and gutters—and exactly what you should be looking for.

The Mid-Year Gutter Check: Clear the Spring Clutter

By the time June and July roll around, your gutters have spent months collecting spring tree seeds (like those pesky maple "helicopters"), oak tassels, and stray twigs. If left unchecked, this debris creates a solid dam.

When a summer downpour hits, a clogged gutter overflows. Instead of channeling water safely away from your home, it pours directly over the sides, pooling right next to your foundation, rotting your fascia boards, and potentially leaking into your basement.

• What to do: Grab a sturdy ladder (or hire a local St. Charles professional) to clear out the summer buildup.

• The Downspout Test: Take your garden hose, place it in the gutters, and run the water. Ensure that water flows freely out of the bottom of the downspouts and that the extensions are directing water at least 3 to 5 feet away from your home’s foundation.

Grading: The Ground Beneath Your Feet

"Grading" refers to the slope of the ground around your home’s foundation. Over time, the soil next to your house naturally settles. If a depression forms, or if the ground slopes toward your home rather than away from it, you have a negative grade.

Summer is the ideal time to fix this because the ground is dry and easy to work with. If you try to fix grading during a rainy spring or a freezing winter, you'll be dealing with heavy mud or unmovable earth.

• The Visual Inspection: Walk the perimeter of your home. The ground should slope away from your foundation at a drop of about 6 inches over the first 10 feet.

• Look for "Bowls": Keep an eye out for areas where dirt has washed away or where low spots have formed under decks, near downspouts, or next to flower beds.

• The Summer Fix: Fill in those low areas with a dense dirt (like topsoil mixed with clay) and pack it down tightly. Avoid using just mulch or sand, as water will pour right through them. Top it with grass seed or sod to prevent future erosion.

Why This Matters for Your Home’s Real Estate Value

If you are planning to sell your home this summer or in the near future, foundation health is a major make-or-break point for buyers.

The Inspection Reality Check:  Structural and water intrusion issues are among the most common reasons home sales fall through during the inspection period. A buyer's home inspector will immediately notice if the soil is sloping toward the house or if there are signs of water pooling near the basement walls.

By spending a sunny Saturday afternoon addressing your grading and cleaning your gutters, you aren't just preventing a flooded basement—you are preserving your home’s marketability and ensuring a much smoother sale when the time comes.

Whether you are prepping your home for the summer market or just looking after your investment, Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to us today!