Berks Connect

It's the first 90-degree day of the year. You turn on the AC and... nothing. Or worse, a grinding noise and a burning smell. You call every HVAC company in Berks County. They're all booked for three days. And so are the next ten companies you try.

This happens every single summer. The same people who could have had their AC serviced in April for $150 are now paying $400 for emergency service—if they can get it at all.

Berks County summers are no joke. The humidity makes 85°F feel like 95°F. The thunderstorms knock out power. The mosquitoes carry diseases. And if you're not prepared, you'll spend the season reactive and miserable instead of actually enjoying it.

This guide is about getting ahead of summer—so you can spend June through September on your deck with a cold drink instead of on hold with an HVAC company.

The Reality of Berks County Summers

If you're new to the area—or if you've just never really thought about it—let me explain what summer actually looks like here.

What You're Dealing With

The heat is real, but the humidity is worse. Average highs from June through August run 82-87°F, which sounds manageable. But the humidity regularly pushes the "feels like" temperature into the mid-90s. We get multiple heat waves each summer with temperatures pushing 95°F+ for several days at a time. Your body doesn't acclimate; you just endure.

The storms are intense. Berks County sits in a geographic sweet spot for severe thunderstorms. We get sudden, violent storms with damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and occasional hail. Trees come down. Power goes out. Basements flood. If your gutters are clogged or your sump pump is questionable, you'll find out during the first big storm.

The bugs are aggressive. Mosquitoes breed in standing water—and after our frequent summer rains, standing water is everywhere. Ticks are endemic; Lyme disease is a genuine health concern in Pennsylvania. Stinging insects build nests in your eaves, your bushes, and your ground. Ants invade your kitchen. Spiders colonize your basement.

The growing season is intense. From late April to mid-October, everything grows—your lawn, your landscaping, and especially your weeds. A week of rain followed by a week of vacation means returning to a jungle.

Why Preparation Actually Matters

I'm not being dramatic about the AC scenario that opened this guide. Every HVAC company in Berks County has the same experience: quiet through March and April, then chaos from May through September. The people who scheduled tune-ups in early spring have working AC and priority service. The people who didn't are calling desperately during heat waves, competing with everyone else who didn't prepare.

The same pattern applies to:

Pool services: Book your opening in March, or scramble in May
Landscapers: The good ones have full schedules by April
Pest control: Start treatments before you have an infestation
Deck maintenance: Stain in spring, or watch it deteriorate all summer

Preparation isn't about being paranoid. It's about having a comfortable, enjoyable summer instead of a stressful, expensive one.

Air Conditioning: Your Summer Lifeline

Let's start with the most important system in your house from June through September. When your AC fails during a heat wave, everything else becomes secondary.

The Case for Spring Maintenance

I know what you're thinking: "My AC worked fine last year. Why pay for maintenance?"

Here's why: AC systems don't usually die all at once. They degrade gradually—a little less efficient each year, a little more strain on components, a small problem becoming a big one. A spring tune-up catches these issues when they're cheap to fix. Skip it, and you're gambling.

The math is simple: A tune-up costs $100-200. An emergency repair during a heat wave costs $300-600+, plus you wait in line behind everyone else who also skipped maintenance. A full system replacement—which often happens when neglected systems finally give out—costs $5,000-15,000+.

Schedule in March or early April. By May, HVAC companies are already getting busy. By June, you're competing with everyone whose system just failed.

What Actually Happens During a Tune-Up

A real tune-up isn't just changing a filter. Here's what a thorough service includes:

The outdoor unit (condenser): The tech should clean the coils, which get clogged with dirt, pollen, and debris. Dirty coils make your system work harder and run less efficiently. They'll also check the refrigerant level—if it's low, there's probably a leak that needs finding.

The indoor unit (evaporator): Coils get cleaned here too. The condensate drain gets cleared—a clogged drain causes water damage and mold. Electrical connections get tightened and tested.

System performance: A good tech measures airflow, checks temperature differential, and assesses overall system health. They should tell you honestly how much life your system has left.

What you get: A report on your system's condition, any concerns, and recommendations. A good HVAC company isn't trying to sell you a new system—they're trying to keep your current one running as long as possible.

Cost: $100-200 for standard maintenance. Some companies offer annual service contracts that include tune-ups plus priority scheduling and repair discounts.

HVAC Contractors Who Actually Show Up

The Berks County HVAC market has good companies and not-so-good companies. The difference becomes apparent when you actually need service.

Advanced Comfort Specialists
Reading — ⭐ 5.0 (294 reviews)
Nearly 300 five-star reviews tells you something. They're known for responding quickly and not overselling—they'll fix what's broken without pushing a new system unless you actually need one. Multiple reviewers mention significant cost savings compared to other quotes.

DeLong & Sons HVAC
Shoemakersville — ⭐ 5.0 (222 reviews)
Family-owned business with same-day service often available. The kind of company that's been around for decades because they do good work and treat people right. Northern Berks County residents especially appreciate having quality service without the trip to Reading.

INH Heating & Air Conditioning
Leesport — ⭐ 5.0 (27 reviews)
Transparent pricing is their calling card—you know what you're paying before the work starts. They also handle plumbing, so you can build one relationship for two critical home systems.

Ultimate Comfort Heating & Cooling
West Lawn — ⭐ 5.0 (43 reviews)
Meticulous work and reliable service. The kind of company that explains what they're doing and why, not just hands you a bill.

Browse all HVAC services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

When Something's Wrong: Troubleshooting Before You Call

Before you panic and call for service, check these things. Sometimes the fix is simple.

Your AC isn't cooling well:

First, check the filter. A dirty filter is the #1 cause of AC problems. If it's clogged, your system can't move air properly. Change it and see if things improve. If you can't remember when you last changed the filter, that's your answer.

Second, check your thermostat. Is it set correctly? Is it in cooling mode? Are the batteries dead? (Yes, this happens more than you'd think.)

Third, go outside and look at your condenser unit. Is it running? Is it covered in debris? Is vegetation growing around it? The outdoor unit needs clear airflow.

Fourth, check your vents inside. Are they all open? Is furniture blocking them?

If none of this helps, call for service. But you'd be surprised how often the problem is a clogged filter or a thermostat issue.

Your AC is running constantly:

During extreme heat (95°F+), your system may run continuously just to maintain temperature. That's normal—it's working as hard as it can. If it's running constantly during moderate heat, something's wrong: dirty filter, low refrigerant, thermostat issues, or poor insulation/air leaks in your home.

Ice on your AC unit:

Turn the system off immediately. Ice indicates a serious problem—usually low refrigerant or severely restricted airflow. Running it with ice makes everything worse. Call for service.

Strange sounds:

Grinding, squealing, banging, or rattling sounds mean something's wrong mechanically. Don't ignore them hoping they'll go away. They won't—they'll get worse and more expensive.

When Your AC Dies During a Heat Wave

It will happen to someone you know this summer. Their AC will fail during the worst possible week, and they'll learn some hard lessons.

The reality of emergency AC service:

You'll wait. During a heat wave, every HVAC company in Berks County is slammed. Wait times of 12-48 hours are common.
You'll pay more. Emergency rates are 1.5x-2x normal charges. Night and weekend premiums add more.
Maintenance customers go first. If you have a service contract, you get priority. If you don't, you're at the back of the line.

How to survive while waiting:

Close all blinds and curtains on sunny windows. Use fans to create air circulation—even without AC, moving air helps. Don't use the oven, stove, or dryer—they generate heat. Take cool showers. Drink lots of water. Go to air-conditioned places during the hottest part of the day (libraries, malls, movie theaters).

If you have vulnerable family members (elderly, infants, anyone with health conditions): Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you can't keep your home below 85°F, take vulnerable people to air-conditioned locations. Call 211 for information about cooling centers during extreme heat events.

This isn't hyperbole—people die from heat exposure every summer. Take it seriously.

For more emergency guidance, see our Emergency Services Guide.

Keeping Cooling Costs Under Control

Your electric bill will spike in summer—that's unavoidable. But you can minimize the damage.

The thermostat battle: Every degree cooler costs about 3% more on your cooling bill. Setting your AC to 72°F instead of 78°F costs roughly 18% more. I know 78°F sounds warm, but with ceiling fans running, it feels closer to 74°F. And honestly, you acclimate—after a few days at 78°F, it feels normal.

When you're not home: Raise the thermostat 5-10 degrees. Your AC doesn't have to work as hard, and it won't take long to cool back down when you return. Smart thermostats (Nest, Ecobee) make this automatic.

Don't fight the sun: Close blinds and curtains on south and west-facing windows during the day. The sun pouring through windows creates a greenhouse effect that your AC has to overcome. This simple step can reduce cooling load by 30%.

A misconception that costs money: Setting your thermostat to 65°F doesn't cool your house faster. Your AC runs at the same speed regardless—it just runs longer. All you accomplish is overcooling (and overpaying).

Landscaping and Lawn Care: Taming the Growth

Berks County's growing season runs roughly late April through mid-October—about 180 days of grass growing, weeds spreading, and landscaping demanding attention. You can fight it yourself, or you can hire help. Either way, it's going to need attention.

The DIY vs. Professional Decision

When doing it yourself makes sense:

You have a small property
You have the time and equipment
You find yard work satisfying (some people do)
You're on a tight budget

When hiring makes sense:

Your property is large
Your time is more valuable than the cost of service
You want a consistently great-looking lawn
You have landscaping that requires expertise
You hate yard work (no shame in this)

The honest math: A basic weekly mowing service runs $30-60 per visit, or roughly $120-240/month during growing season. A decent self-propelled mower costs $300-600, plus your time. For a small lawn you enjoy maintaining, DIY makes sense. For anything else, the math often favors hiring someone.

What Lawn Care Services Actually Do

Not all lawn care is equal. Make sure you know what you're paying for.

Basic mowing service: They show up weekly (or as needed), mow, trim edges, and blow off clippings. That's it. Your lawn will look maintained, but they're not addressing health, weeds, or long-term quality.

Full lawn care programs: These include mowing plus fertilization (typically 4-6 applications per year), weed control, and sometimes pest control. The goal is a healthy, thick lawn that crowds out weeds naturally.

The fertilization timing matters: Cool-season grasses (what we have in Berks County) need fertilizer in early spring, late spring, early fall, and late fall. Summer fertilization is minimal—the grass is stressed enough from heat without pushing growth.

Questions worth asking:

What's actually included in your price?
What products do you use? (Some people prefer organic options)
Are you licensed for pesticide and herbicide application? (Pennsylvania requires this)
What day are you typically in my area?
What happens if it rains all week?
Can I add or remove services seasonally?

Top-Rated Lawn Care and Landscaping in Berks County:

New Castle Lawn & Landscape
Sinking Spring — ⭐ 4.8 (293 reviews) — Reliable, high-quality lawn care and landscaping. Excellent communication.

Outdoor Splendor
Boyertown — ⭐ 4.7 (305 reviews) — Professionalism and quality work across residential and commercial projects.

A Plus Landscaping LLC
85 Creamery Rd, Reinholds — (717) 335-1690
⭐ 4.9 (203 reviews) — Expert hardscaping, drainage solutions, pool contracting. Clear communication.

Spayd's Outdoor Environments
3225 Pricetown Rd, Fleetwood — (610) 929-2026
⭐ 4.4 (111 reviews) — Custom landscaping with 3D modeling. Deck building and pool contracting.

Browse all lawn care services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Landscaping Projects

Best timing for landscaping projects:

Project	Best Season	Notes
Planting trees/shrubs	Early spring or fall	Avoid summer heat stress
Installing mulch	Spring	Before summer heat
Hardscape (patio, walkways)	Spring through fall	Avoid frozen ground
Flower bed planting	After last frost	Annual flowers in May
Irrigation installation	Spring	Before summer use
Outdoor lighting	Any season	Avoid frozen ground

Popular summer projects:

Patio and outdoor living spaces
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces
Privacy plantings and fencing
Garden bed creation
Water features
Outdoor kitchens

Find landscaping companies in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Tree Services

Summer tree work:

Dead branch removal (can be done anytime)
Storm damage cleanup
Disease and pest inspection
Cabling and bracing for safety

Best timing for major pruning:

Most trees: Late winter or early spring (while dormant)
Spring-flowering trees: Right after blooming
Avoid heavy pruning in summer (stresses trees)

When to call an arborist:

Dead or dying trees (safety hazard)
Trees interfering with power lines (call utility first)
Disease or pest concerns
Storm damage
Trees too close to structures

Find tree services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Irrigation Systems

Benefits of irrigation:

Consistent watering (better for plants)
Water efficiency (less waste than hand watering)
Convenience
Coverage of entire landscape

Spring startup service:

Turn system on
Check for winter damage
Adjust heads
Set schedule
Test zones

Fall winterization:

Blow out lines (critical in Berks County climate)
Turn off water supply
Protect above-ground components

Cost:

Basic system installation: $2,500-5,000+
Spring startup: $75-150
Fall winterization: $75-150

Pool Ownership: The Joy and the Work

If you have a pool, you already know: it's wonderful when it's working and a nightmare when it's not. The difference between a summer of backyard relaxation and a summer of green water and equipment problems often comes down to consistent maintenance.

Opening Your Pool Right

When to open: Aim for late April to mid-May. The rule of thumb is when overnight temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. Open too early and you're heating water nobody's swimming in. Open too late and you're fighting algae that's been growing in warming water under the cover.

The case for professional opening: Pool opening isn't complicated, but it involves physical labor, chemical knowledge, and the ability to diagnose equipment issues. A professional opening costs $200-500 (depending on pool size and condition) and includes:

Removing and cleaning the winter cover (heavier than you think, especially when filled with rain and debris)
Refilling the pool to proper water level
Reinstalling all the accessories you removed
Reconnecting and starting all equipment
Inspecting everything for winter damage
Cleaning and vacuuming all the crud that accumulated
Testing and balancing water chemistry
Getting the filter running properly

If you're opening it yourself: The process isn't rocket science, but do it right or you'll be chasing problems all summer. The most common DIY mistake is shocking the pool before the filter is running properly—all you do is bleach the algae white. It's still there.

Key steps:

Remove the cover carefully (debris in the water now is debris you clean later)
Clean and properly store the cover
Reinstall all drain plugs and accessories
Prime and start the pump (air in the system causes problems)
Check for leaks (especially at equipment connections)
Clean and vacuum thoroughly
Test water chemistry and balance (pH, alkalinity, then chlorine in that order)
Shock the pool
Run the filter 24/7 until the water clears

Keeping It Clean All Summer

Here's the truth about pool maintenance: it's not hard, but it's relentless. Skip a week and you're behind. Skip two weeks and you have a problem.

What weekly maintenance actually involves:

Testing water chemistry (pH should be 7.2-7.6, chlorine 1-3 ppm, alkalinity 80-120 ppm)
Adjusting chemicals as needed
Skimming surface debris
Vacuuming or running automatic cleaner
Cleaning skimmer and pump baskets
Checking filter pressure (backwash when it rises 8-10 psi above clean)
Quick equipment inspection

Time investment: 2-4 hours per week if you're doing it yourself.

Professional maintenance options:

Level	What You Get	Monthly Cost
Chemical service	Weekly testing and balancing	$100-150
Basic service	Chemicals + skimming + vacuuming	$150-250
Full service	Everything including equipment	$250-400+

The decision: If your time is worth more than $50-100/hour, professional pool service makes financial sense. If you enjoy the ritual of pool care, do it yourself. There's no wrong answer—just don't kid yourself about how much time it takes.

Pool Contractors in Berks County

For new pool installation, major repairs, or equipment replacement, you need specialized contractors:

A Plus Landscaping LLC
Reinholds — (717) 335-1690 — ⭐ 4.9 (203 reviews)
Full-service pool contractor who also does hardscaping and deck building. Useful if you're creating an entire outdoor living space, not just dropping in a pool.

Spayd's Outdoor Environments
Fleetwood — (610) 929-2026 — ⭐ 4.4 (111 reviews)
Known for custom work and 3D design visualization so you can see what you're getting before construction starts.

Sal's Landscape
Reinholds — (610) 678-2294 — ⭐ 4.1 (49 reviews)
Pool contracting combined with landscaping expertise—good for projects where the pool is part of a larger landscape design.

Browse all pool services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Pool Safety: This Is Not Optional

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4. I don't say this to scare you—I say it because too many pool owners get complacent.

Barriers and alarms:

Most Berks County municipalities require fencing around pools. Check your local ordinances.
A four-sided fence with a self-latching gate (opening outward) is the gold standard. A fence that shares a side with the house provides less protection—kids can access the pool from inside.
Pool alarms add another layer. Door alarms, gate alarms, and water surface alarms alert you when someone enters the pool area or water.

Supervision means supervision:

"Watching the kids" while scrolling your phone isn't supervision.
For non-swimmers, that means within arm's reach.
Designate a "water watcher" at parties—not someone also manning the grill or socializing.

Learn CPR: Seriously. If something goes wrong, the minutes before EMS arrives are the minutes that matter. The American Red Cross and local fire departments offer classes.

Emergency equipment: A shepherd's hook and a life ring should be at your pool, visible and accessible. Post emergency numbers nearby.

Closing the Pool Properly

When to close: Early to mid-October in Berks County, when you're confident swimming season is over but before hard freezes arrive.

Why it matters: An improperly winterized pool can freeze, cracking pipes and damaging equipment. Repairs cost far more than professional closing.

Professional closing includes:

Lowering water level to appropriate height
Adding winterizing chemicals to prevent algae and scale
Blowing out all plumbing lines (critical—water left in lines freezes and cracks pipes)
Plugging all returns and skimmer
Removing and storing equipment
Installing and securing winter cover

Cost: $200-400 depending on pool size and complexity.

Like opening, you can close a pool yourself, but the consequences of doing it wrong are expensive. If you're not confident you can blow out the lines properly, hire it out.

Pest Control: This Is Actually Serious

I know pest control sounds like a luxury—something people with money and time worry about. It's not. In Berks County, pest control is a health and safety issue.

The Pests That Actually Matter

Ticks and Lyme Disease: The Real Threat

Pennsylvania has one of the highest Lyme disease rates in the country, and Berks County is right in the middle of it. This isn't abstract—you probably know someone who's had Lyme disease. Maybe you've had it yourself.

Lyme disease can cause long-term health problems: joint pain, neurological issues, chronic fatigue. Early detection and antibiotics usually resolve it, but "usually" isn't "always," and prevention is better than treatment.

Where ticks live: The edge between your lawn and woods. Tall grass. Brush piles. Leaf litter. Stone walls. Basically, everywhere nature meets civilization.

Professional tick treatment: Barrier sprays around your property perimeter, focusing on tick habitat. Most services recommend monthly treatments from April through October. Cost runs $50-100 per treatment.

Personal prevention (essential even with treatment):

Check yourself, kids, and pets after being outside—especially in wooded areas
Wear light-colored clothing so you can spot ticks
Tuck pants into socks in high-risk areas (looks ridiculous, works)
Shower within two hours of being outdoors
Keep grass short near your house
Create a mulch or gravel barrier between your lawn and wooded areas

If you find an embedded tick: Remove it with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling straight up with steady pressure. Save the tick (seriously—in case you develop symptoms). Watch for a bullseye rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms for 30 days. If any appear, see a doctor immediately and bring the tick.

Mosquitoes: More Than Annoying

West Nile virus is present in Pennsylvania. Most people who get it don't get seriously ill, but some do—and mosquitoes are relentless in Berks County summers.

Professional mosquito treatment involves barrier sprays around your property every 3-4 weeks during mosquito season. It significantly reduces the population, though it doesn't eliminate them entirely.

What you can do yourself (and should, even with professional treatment):

Eliminate standing water everywhere. Mosquitoes breed in any stagnant water—birdbaths, clogged gutters, plant saucers, forgotten buckets, kids' toys, anything that holds water.
Keep grass short and vegetation trimmed—mosquitoes rest in cool, shady areas during the day.

Stinging Insects: Know When to Call

Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets build nests around homes every summer. Small, exposed nests you can reach with a can of spray are manageable. Everything else is a job for professionals.

Call a professional for:

Nests inside walls, eaves, or attic spaces
Yellow jacket ground nests (these are extremely aggressive when disturbed)
Large nests of any kind
Any nest if someone in your household is allergic to stings

Don't mess with: Yellow jacket ground nests, period. These insects are aggressive, they can sting multiple times, and disturbing the nest brings out the whole colony. People end up in the emergency room from yellow jacket attacks. This is not DIY territory.

Find pest control services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Decks and Outdoor Living Spaces

Your deck or patio is where summer actually happens—the morning coffee, the evening drinks, the weekend cookouts. A well-maintained outdoor space extends your living area. A neglected one is an embarrassment you avoid.

Deck Maintenance: An Honest Assessment

Wood decks require work. There's no getting around it. The Berks County climate—hot humid summers, wet springs, freeze-thaw cycles in winter—is hard on wood.

The annual ritual:

Inspect everything. Walk the deck with a critical eye. Push on railings. Look for soft spots. Check where posts meet the ground and where ledger boards meet the house—these are where problems start.
Clean thoroughly. A pressure washer works, but too much pressure damages wood. Deck cleaning solution and a stiff brush is safer for most DIYers.
Make repairs. Replace any boards that are soft, split, or rotted. Tighten or replace loose hardware. Fix wobbly railings before someone leans on them.
Refinish if needed. Stain and sealer typically last 2-3 years. When water stops beading on the surface, it's time.

Warning signs you can't ignore:

Soft or spongy wood: This is rot. Poke it with a screwdriver—if it sinks in easily, the board needs replacement.
Loose or wobbly railings: This is a safety hazard, especially if kids or elderly people use the deck.
Graying and fading: This is UV damage. Cosmetic, but it indicates the stain/sealer has failed and moisture is getting into the wood.
Mold and mildew: Common in Berks County's humid summers. Needs cleaning and treatment.

Staining and sealing costs:

DIY: $200-500 in materials for an average deck, plus a weekend of work
Professional: $500-1,500+ depending on size and condition

If you don't enjoy this kind of work, hiring a professional is money well spent. They'll do it faster and probably better.

When to Repair vs. When to Replace

Repair makes sense when:

Damage is isolated (a few boards, a section of railing)
The underlying structure is sound
Your deck is under 15-20 years old

Replacement makes sense when:

Rot or damage is widespread
Structural components (posts, beams, joists) are compromised
The deck is 20+ years old and showing its age
Repair estimates approach 50% of replacement cost

If you're building new, consider your options:

Pressure-treated wood: Lowest upfront cost, but requires ongoing maintenance (cleaning, staining every 2-3 years)
Cedar or redwood: Beautiful, naturally rot-resistant, but still needs maintenance and costs more
Composite decking: Higher initial cost, but virtually maintenance-free. No staining, no splinters, no rot. Looks like wood from a distance.
PVC decking: Highest cost, true zero maintenance, but some people find the look too artificial

The math often favors composite over wood when you factor in 20 years of maintenance—both the cost and the time.

Find deck builders in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Patio Services

Common patio materials:

Concrete: Affordable, durable, can be stamped or stained
Pavers: Versatile, repairable, many design options
Natural stone: Premium appearance, highest cost
Gravel/decomposed granite: Budget-friendly, casual look

Patio maintenance:

Regular sweeping and cleaning
Weed control between pavers
Re-leveling settling pavers
Sealing (for some materials)
Power washing annually

Find patio contractors in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Outdoor Living Upgrades

Summer projects that enhance your outdoor enjoyment.

Outdoor Kitchens

Components to consider:

Built-in grill (gas or charcoal)
Refrigerator (rated for outdoor use)
Sink with running water
Counter space
Storage cabinets
Lighting

Professional requirements:

Gas line installation (licensed plumber or gas fitter)
Electrical work (licensed electrician)
Plumbing for sink
Masonry or construction

Cost range: $5,000-50,000+ depending on complexity

Fire Pits and Outdoor Fireplaces

Options:

Portable fire pits: $100-500, no installation
Built-in fire pits: $1,000-5,000+ installed
Outdoor fireplaces: $3,000-20,000+ installed
Gas vs. wood burning: Gas is cleaner and easier; wood is more traditional

Considerations:

Check local fire codes and setback requirements
Gas line installation required for gas-burning
Permits may be required
Consider smoke direction and neighbors

Outdoor Lighting

Types of landscape lighting:

Path lighting: Safety and aesthetics along walkways
Accent lighting: Highlights trees, architecture, features
Security lighting: Motion-activated for safety
String lights: Decorative, festive atmosphere
Smart lighting: Controlled by app, timer, or voice

Professional installation recommended for:

Low-voltage landscape lighting systems
Any electrical work
Complex designs

Find electricians in Berks County for outdoor lighting installation.

Pressure Washing: The Spring Reset

After a Berks County winter, everything outside is grimy. Mold, mildew, dirt, and grime accumulate on every surface. A good pressure washing makes everything look new again.

What Gets Washed

Pretty much any hard exterior surface:

Driveways and sidewalks (oil stains, tire marks, winter grime)
Decks and patios (mold, mildew, algae)
Vinyl siding (green algae on north-facing walls)
Brick and stone surfaces
Fences
Outdoor furniture
Garage floors

DIY or Hire It Out?

DIY considerations:

Equipment rental runs $50-100/day
The learning curve is real—too much pressure damages surfaces, especially wood
It's time-consuming, especially for large areas
You're responsible for anything you damage

Professional advantages:

They know what pressure to use on what surfaces
They have commercial equipment (faster and more effective)
They carry insurance for the occasional accident
It's often surprisingly affordable: $150-400 for a typical home exterior, driveway, and sidewalks

Hire a professional for:

Two-story areas (working on ladders with pressure washers is dangerous)
Wood surfaces (easy to damage)
Any surface you're not sure about
Mold or mildew removal (requires proper treatment, not just blasting)

Find pressure washing services in Berks County on BerksConnect.

Gutters: The Forgotten Maintenance

Nobody thinks about gutters until there's a problem. Then water is pouring over the edge, running down the siding, pooling next to the foundation, and seeping into the basement.

Clean gutters protect your home from water damage. Clogged gutters cause it.

The Twice-Yearly Ritual

Clean your gutters:

Late spring, after the tree seeds and pollen finish falling
Late fall, after the leaves come down

If you have lots of trees over your roof, you might need to clean more often. Maple seed helicopters in spring and oak leaves in fall are especially problematic.

Signs your gutters need attention:

Water overflowing during rain (the most obvious)
Plants growing in gutters (yes, this happens)
Sagging gutters (full of debris and water, pulling away from house)
Water stains on siding below gutters
Water pooling near foundation after rain

Cost: $100-250 for a typical two-story home, more for complex rooflines or heavily clogged gutters.

About Gutter Guards

Every homeowner asks about gutter guards. Here's the honest truth: they help, but they don't eliminate maintenance.

Types available:

Mesh screens: Cheapest, DIY-installable, but small debris still gets through
Foam inserts: DIY-installable, but they trap debris and can grow mold
Reverse curve: Professional installation, but pine needles and small debris still get in
Micro-mesh: Most effective, professional installation, but still requires occasional cleaning

The reality: Gutter guards reduce cleaning frequency—maybe from twice yearly to once yearly. They don't eliminate it. If a company tells you their guards mean "no more cleaning ever," they're lying.

The Summer Timeline: When to Do What

The difference between a chaotic summer and a smooth one is often just timing. Here's the schedule that keeps you ahead of problems instead of chasing them.

March-April: The Setup Phase

This is when smart homeowners get ahead of everyone else.

Schedule your AC tune-up. Do this in March or early April, before HVAC companies get slammed.
Book pool opening. Pool services fill up quickly. If you wait until May to call, you'll wait for your opening.
Start pest control. Tick and mosquito treatments work best when started early, before populations explode.
Inspect your deck. If it needs staining or repairs, schedule them now so the work is done before you want to use it.
Clean gutters. After all the spring pollen and tree debris finishes falling.
Irrigation startup. If you have a system, have it professionally started to catch any winter damage.

May: Transition Month

Summer is coming. Time to get everything operational.

Open the pool. Aim for mid-May, when overnight temps stay above 50°F.
Finish spring planting. After the last frost (typically late April in Berks County).
Mulch landscaping beds. Fresh mulch before the summer heat.
Complete any deck work. Staining needs dry weather and time to cure before use.
Test outdoor lighting. Replace bulbs, check timers, make sure everything works for the long evenings ahead.

June-August: Maintenance Mode

Now you're just maintaining, not scrambling.

Weekly lawn care. Whether you do it or hire it out.
Regular pool maintenance. Weekly chemistry testing and cleaning.
Ongoing pest control. Monthly treatments keep populations manageable.
Water wisely. Deep, infrequent watering beats daily sprinkles.
Enjoy your outdoor spaces. That's the whole point, right?

September: Planning Ahead

Summer's not over, but it's time to think ahead.

Schedule fall HVAC maintenance. Beat the winter rush.
Assess what needs fixing before winter. Deck repairs, gutter issues, landscaping—easier to handle in fall than after first frost.
Plan pool closing. Usually early to mid-October.
Fall lawn care. Aeration and overseeding happen in September for cool-season grasses.

When Summer Goes Wrong: Emergency Contacts

Things happen. AC fails during heat waves. Storms knock out power. Someone has a medical emergency by the pool.

Emergency	Contact
Police/Fire/Medical	911
Reading Hospital ER	(484) 628-8000
Penn State Health St. Joseph ER	(610) 378-2000
Poison Control	1-800-222-1222
Met-Ed Power Outage	1-888-544-4877
PA 211 (Resources, Cooling Centers)	211

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms: high body temperature, confusion, hot and dry skin, loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately.

Find Summer Services on BerksConnect

You've read the guide. Now find the people to do the work:

Keeping Cool:

HVAC and Air Conditioning

Outdoor Maintenance:

Pool and Outdoor Living:

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Winter Services in Berks County — The flip side of this guide
Emergency Services in Berks County — 24/7 resources
Hiring Home Services — How to find and vet contractors
New Homeowner Checklist — If you just bought a house
24-Hour Services — When you need help at 2 AM

Now go enjoy your summer. You've earned it.