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“Wood decks require more effort to prevent warping, drying out and other damage,” says Annie Thornton, a senior associate editor for Houzz, a platform for home model and design. “It’s also

helpful to stain or reseal wood decks, fences, railings, trellises, pergolas and other outdoor structures every year or two to help them last longer.”​ ​ Since some damage — including uneven

boards, splinters or nails that stick up — can be dangerous to both children and adults, you’ll want to make sure to take care of these things, either on your own or with a professional

before congregating on your deck this summer.​ ​ 3. TAKE ON SMALLER TASKS​ ​ Once you do the initial cleaning and repair, you’ll want to tackle some of the smaller tasks that may take less

time but make a big difference. ​ ​ Start with ridding your yard of any standing water as it’s the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. As it rains throughout the summer and standing

water builds up, consider using mosquito pellets to eliminate mosquito larvae (and other pests like black flies and gnats). ​ ​ Clean any exterior windows — they get dirty and can make your

outdoor space look less inviting. If windows are within reachable height, such as a patio sliding door or lower windows, simple glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth should do the trick. If

your space has a lot of windows or they are hard to reach, you may want to consider hiring a professional.​ ​ Finally, if you haven’t already cleaned your grill for the season, you’ll want

to do that too.​ ​ You aren’t exactly done there: It’s important to keep up with some light cleaning during the season as well. ​ ​ “Over the course of the week, especially during pollen

season, keep tidying up as you go,” says Adkins, “wiping down tables, chairs, anything you are working with.”​ ​ 4. PROTECT FROM THE WEATHER​ ​ Now you are ready to enjoy your outdoor space,

but you’ll want some sun protection if your yard isn’t naturally shaded. ​ ​ “Invest in an umbrella; it’s not incredibly expensive,” says Adkins. This is especially important if your patio

gets a lot of direct sunlight. Inexpensive sun sail shades can also be rigged up to provide a break from rays. ​ ​ If you want to spend a little more, a pergola can offer additional shade

and, depending on the size, protection from rain and wind as well. Privacy walls can also block out the wind and sun and offer some separation for those who might be in close quarters with

their neighbors. ​ ​