Summer in Canada spans from June through early September, bringing warmth and longer daylight hours that Canadians eagerly embrace.
In the northern territories, summers are pleasantly warm and dry, with daylight lasting nearly 20 hours—a phenomenon known as the "midnight sun."
Central Canada experiences hot, humid summers, often exceeding 30°C due to high humidity levels.
Coastal regions enjoy milder temperatures around the low 20s, occasionally reaching above 30°C on rare occasions. The Maritime Provinces may experience occasional tropical storms and hurricanes, adding a touch of unpredictability.
Canadians make the most of the season by doing seasonal maintenance; including cleaning and DIYing repairs and improvements around the house, gardening and decorating outdoor spaces, and doing garage and car maintenance.
Hosting barbecues, having picnics, and enjoying other outdoor entertainment activities are also common during the summer in Canada.
If you're gearing up for any of the mentioned activities, we've got just what you need. Dive down our list of tools to help you make the most of your summer activities.
Home Maintenance & DIY Projects
Summer's the perfect time to freshen up your home - painting walls, sprucing up the siding - just keeping everything in great shape against the elements. Don’t forget to check the roof too, make sure it stays solid and dry.
During this season, many of us love getting hands-on with these projects.
There's such a sense of accomplishment in DIY tasks like giving a room a new coat of paint, putting together a garden shed, or even taking on bigger tasks like laying down new flooring or remodeling a bathroom.
Before you dive into your summer projects, it's a good idea to make sure you have the right tools on hand. Here are some must-have tools for home maintenance and improvement tasks.
Paint Brush
Nothing says "new season, new vibe" like a fresh coat of paint, and a paint brush lets you transform spaces with a splash of color cost-effectively. It’s perfect for detailed work and smaller projects, offering unmatched finesse and ease of use.
Applications:
- Applying paint to edges and small interior spaces
- Touching up certain areas after spray painting
- Revitalizing old, worn-out furniture
- Updating kitchen cabinets or interior doors
- Painting fences, porch railings, or window trim
- Customizing picture frames or decorative boxes
Spray Paint Gun
Another great alternative paint application tool is a spray paint gun. This tool is best used for larger areas as they can cover vast surfaces quickly. It can be used on a variety of materials as well, including wood, metal, plastic, and fabric.
Capable of delivering smooth, even coats of paint without brush strokes that can sometimes look uneven, a spray paint gun can give you professional-looking surfaces that brushes and rollers often can't achieve.
Applications:
- Painting interior walls
- Painting home exteriors
- Giving hard-to-reach areas and intricate surfaces uniform paint coverage
- Refreshing garage doors or outdoor furniture
- Painting crafts with complex shapes
Double-Face Tape
Even if you're not a seasoned pro, using double-sided tape is as easy as peel, stick, and done!
Unlike traditional adhesives that require mixing, curing, or clamping, double-sided tape simplifies the process with its peel-and-stick application.
This makes it ideal for quick fixes, temporary decorations, or securing lightweight materials without the mess or hassle.
Applications:
- Hanging up posters or party decorations
- Securing items like outdoor rugs and lightweight signage
- Installing solar-powered lights around your garden
- Framing artwork
- Installing LED strips under kitchen cabinets
Cable Ties
Cable ties provide quick and efficient organization and management solutions - with a simple cinch and pull, you can tidy up cluttered spaces and maintain a neat, organized environment. They’re also effective for temporary fixes and quick adjustments.
Applications:
- Keeping computer cables, TV cords, and other electronics organized behind desks or entertainment centers
- Keeping extension cords and outdoor lighting wires neat and tangle-free
- Attaching string lights to fences, pergolas, or trees
- Securing broken fences, loose railings, or damaged furniture temporarily until permanent repairs can be made
- Reinforcing or repairing pet enclosures like crates, playpens, or kennels.
- Hanging artwork
- Storing holiday decorations such as garlands, lights, and wreaths neatly
Electrical Shears
Electrician's shears are a cut above the rest - literally.
Designed with sharp, robust blades to cut through wires and cables, these incredibly versatile tools make quick work of a variety of materials, making them applicable to a wide range of tasks including but not limited to those mentioned below.
Applications:
- Trimming electrical cables when installing new outdoor lighting
- Trimming wires behind appliances
- Cutting through tough materials like rubber hoses, plastic tubing, and cable ties
- Light gardening tasks like some quick pruning and cutting floral wire
- Trimming materials for custom outdoor furniture
- Crafting intricate decorative pieces
Air Drill
An air drill is a powerful and reliable partner for various tasks around the house, allowing you to drill effortlessly through tough materials like hardwood, brick, and metal, and achieve professional results.
This versatility makes it ideal for lots of home repairs and installation projects.
Applications:
- Drilling pilot holes for screws
- Mounting brackets for curtains or blinds
- Drilling through hardwood and pressure-treated lumber
- Repairing or installing new shelving
- Building custom furniture
- Fastening deck boards and railings
Screwdriver Set
A screwdriver set is indispensable as it simplifies tasks, enhances efficiency, and ensures professional results. Unlike power tools that require charging or complex setups, screwdrivers are ready to use whenever you need them.
Phillips screwdrivers are optimal for modern applications that require secure and efficient fastening (especially in industrial and electronic settings), while flathead or slotted screwdrivers are great for general use, woodworking, and tasks involving older or slotted screw applications.
Applications:
- Assembling and repairing chairs, tables, storage units, and other furniture
- Repairing household items like door hinges, cabinet hardware, and light switch covers
- Installing light fixtures on walls or ceilings
- Disassembling and repairing electronics
- Mounting and securing shelves
- Making adjustments to window fittings
- Tightening loose screws on bed frames, bookshelves, and cabinets
Telescopic Squeegee
Equip yourself with a telescopic squeegee this summer to effortlessly achieve clear, sparkling surfaces. Its adjustable handle accommodates homes of varying heights and sizes, making it ideal for different cleaning and maintenance needs.
It also allows you to reach awkward corners and high surfaces easily without the need for ladders.
Applications:
- Achieving clean, streak-free windows and other glass surfaces
- Removing water and preventing streaks on shower doors, tiles, and bathroom mirrors
- Keeping solar panels clean and clear to maintain optimal energy efficiency
- Reaching and cleaning skylights without needing to climb a ladder
- Cleaning dust from top shelves and cabinets
Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner
A wet and dry vacuum is a versatile essential for maintaining indoor and outdoor spaces effortlessly.
Indoors, it effectively manages spills, leaks, and floods, ensuring efficient cleanup. Outdoors, it simplifies tasks such as clearing gutters and post-party cleanup by efficiently removing water, debris, and wet leaves from surfaces.
This tool is essential for keeping both your home's interior and exterior areas clean and functional with ease.
Applications:
- Deep-cleaning carpets and upholstery by removing dirt, dust, food crumbs and pet hair
- Cleaning up spills, pet accidents, or plumbing mishaps without damaging flooring
- Collecting sawdust, wood shavings, and debris from DIY woodworking projects
- Removing water from flooded basements, garages, or after plumbing mishaps
- Clean vents and ducts to improve air quality by removing dust and debris buildup
- Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in outdoor pet areas, like kennels and play spaces
- Removing dirt, leaves, and debris from patio stones, wooden decks, or concrete surfaces after sweeping
- Preventing clogging and water damage in gutters by sucking up leaves, pine needles, and other debris
- Vacuuming grass clippings, dirt, and small debris from lawn mowers, trimmers, and other garden tools to keep them in good working condition
- Drying and tidying up outdoor event spaces, flooring, and outdoor furniture
- Cleaning and drying vehicle upholstery
Steam Cleaner
A steam cleaner goes beyond basic cleaning—it's a powerhouse that harnesses high-temperature steam to effectively kill bacteria and germs on various surfaces.
It’s an easy way to deep clean both indoor and outdoor spaces and keep them pristine and hygienic all summer long.
Applications:
- Refreshing and sanitizing indoor carpets and furniture upholstery
- Degreasing and disinfecting kitchen countertops and stove tops
- Deep cleaning bathroom tiles, grout lines, floors, and sink faucets without using harsh chemicals
- Loosening wallpaper adhesive so it’s easier to pull off without damaging the underlying surface when replacing wallpapers
- Prepping walls for painting by ridding the surface of any residue that can affect paint adhesion
- Removing grease, charred residue, and sanitizing ovens and grills
- Cleaning, sanitizing, and removing mold from patio furniture, outdoor cushions, and umbrellas
Gardening and Landscaping
Summer is the perfect time to carefully select and plant vibrant flowers, lush shrubs, and sturdy trees, and transform your outdoor spaces into lush oases of color and life.
Taking the time to maintain your lawn, trimming hedges, and setting up efficient irrigation systems ensures that your gardens look beautiful and thrive throughout the season.
You can create a cozy atmosphere by turning corners into comfy seating areas and by adding aesthetic features like bird feeders and garden sculptures.
Here are some tools that will significantly help you personalize and enhance your summer outdoor sanctuary.
Garden Hose
The garden hose stands out for its straightforward usability, effortlessly connecting to outdoor faucets to deliver instant access to water without the fuss of complex setups or power requirements.
This simplicity is enhanced by its adaptability with various attachments, expanding its utility from watering plants to cleaning surfaces with ease, thus keeping your home and outdoor areas in optimal condition effortlessly.
Applications:
- Watering plants, lawns, and garden beds
- Giving your pets a refreshing bath to help them stay cool
- Washing windows, patio furniture, decks, and siding to remove dust and pollen
- Mixing concrete and filling water features or ponds
- Controlling dust while cutting or drilling outdoors
- Cleaning dirt and debris from driveways and sidewalks
- Rinsing off dirt and grime from vehicles, including wheels and undercarriages
Gardening Sprayer
A gardening sprayer is a versatile tool that can streamline a lot of tasks in your home and garden. Its ability to deliver water and solutions precisely and efficiently, with just a bit of adjustment to its nozzle, stands out as a major advantage.
This not only saves time but maximizes resource efficiency as well.
Applications:
- Providing targeted watering to plants and flowers
- Applying fertilizers, insecticides, or herbicides evenly across garden beds and lawns
String Trimmer
String trimmers stand out for their ability to reach where traditional mowers can't. They’re lightweight and easy to maneuver around tight corners and uneven terrain allowing for more efficient yard work.
Applications:
- Defining lawn edges and borders with precision, creating a clean separation between your lawn and garden beds
- Keeping pathways and driveways neat by trimming the grass and weeds along their edges
- Trimming grass on slopes and uneven terrain where lawn mowers struggle to operate effectively
- Tackling thick vegetation and overgrowth in hard-to-reach areas around your property
Pruning Saw Kit
A pruning saw is a valuable tool for various home improvement and DIY projects because of its capacity to cut through hardwood with precision.
This is especially useful when building or repairing outdoor structures like arbors, pergolas, fences, or other personalized structures to enhance your outdoor space.
Applications:
- Cutting hardwood pieces for DIY projects
- Creating custom wooden furniture
- Installing new hardwood flooring
- Making precise cuts through thick wooden posts and beams
- Trimming and shaping trees and shrubs
- Clearing fallen branches on your property after a storm
Outdoor Entertaining
In the summer, many folks roll up their sleeves to enhance their outdoor spaces by adding comfy outdoor furniture that practically begs you to sink into it, alongside twinkling string lights that turn evenings into magical moments.
Some go all out, building new decks and patios from scratch, while others give their old ones a face-lift with fresh paint and cozy decor.
It's all about crafting spaces where you can kick back with friends, fire up the grill, and soak in those lazy summer vibes.
Below, we’ve put together a handful of items that will add more fun to summer entertainment activities in your yard.
Indoor / Outdoor Extension Cord
Designed to withstand the elements, these cords are made with weather-resistant materials that can handle rain, sun, and everything in between.
This makes them perfect for the unpredictable summer weather, ensuring that your outdoor lights, speakers, and appliances stay powered without a hitch.
Applications:
- Powering outdoor lighting
- Extending power to your grill or outdoor kitchen appliances
- Powering your speakers outdoors
- Powering fans around your yard and keeping everyone cool
- Creating a convenient charging station for your guests’ phones and devices
Garage & Car Maintenance
Aside from longer days and warmer weather, summer in Canada is also synonymous with road trips that stretch from coast to coast. However, the sunny months bring their own set of challenges for car owners. For example:
- With schools out and vacation season in full swing, summer sees increased travel and traffic on Canadian roads. More driving can also mean more wear and tear on tires, brakes, and other mechanical components.
- Fluctuating summer temperatures can stress vehicle cooling systems and batteries, and strong UV rays can damage your car’s paint and plastic trim.
- Insects are abundant during the warmer months, especially in rural and forested areas. Bug splatters on the vehicle's front end can be difficult to remove and may damage paint if left untreated.
- Summer in Canada often brings sudden thunderstorms and heavy rainfall that can reduce visibility and increase the risk of hydroplaning if your car tires are worn out or improperly inflated. Aside from that, prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to electrical issues and corrosion in your vehicle’s sensitive components.
Given those scenarios, keeping your garage and vehicle well-maintained is necessary for your safety, your vehicle’s optimum performance, and your overall driving experience.
Here are some handy equipment to have in your garage this season.
Goggles, Work Gloves, & Knee Pads
When working in your garage or on your car, goggles, work gloves, and knee pads are your first line of defense against accidents and discomfort.
Goggles shield your eyes from flying particles, corrosive fluids, and intense light; work gloves provide a barrier against cuts, scrapes, burns, and chemical exposure, as well as ensure a secure grip on tools and parts; and knee pads provide cushioning and support for your knees and joints, protecting them from potentially getting injured on hard surfaces.
Applications:
- (Goggles) Protecting your eyes while grinding metal, handling chemicals, and checking under the hood
- (Work Gloves) Maintaining a firm grip on tools during inspection and maintenance tasks
- (Knee Pads) Providing knee support while working around your vehicle’s wheels, as well as other low surfaces
Flashlight
A good flashlight is essential for working in garage and car areas with poor lighting, such as corners, spaces under workbenches, inside storage cabinets, or your car’s engine.
It’s always great to have a reliable source of focused illumination for spotting leaks, navigating tight spaces, and identifying worn parts.
It can help you avoid accidental spills, prevent injuries from slipping or tripping over tools, and ensure you can work confidently even in low-light conditions.
Applications:
- Navigating your garage in case of power outages
- Lighting up shelves and cabinets to organize tools and supplies
- Locating specific tools in crowded toolboxes or drawers
- Providing focused light for tasks such as soldering, gluing, or assembling small parts
- Illuminating your vehicle’s engine bay to check fluid levels, inspect belts, or locate potential leaks
- Lighting up the underside of your car to inspect exhaust systems, and suspension components, or perform tire rotations
- Highlighting scratches, dents, or imperfections on your car’s exterior for thorough cleaning or touch-up painting
- Navigating wiring harnesses and fuse boxes to troubleshoot electrical issues
Polisher
Since summer brings harsh elements - like UV rays, road debris, and pollen - that can dull and damage your car’s paint, a polisher can be a valuable addition to your car care arsenal.
Regular polishing creates a protective barrier against environmental contaminants for your car’s paint - and among the benefits of an angle polisher is its ability to deliver professional-quality polishing.
With a polisher on hand, you can remove swirl marks, buff out scratches, and enhance the overall appearance of your vehicle right inside your own garage.
Applications:
- Removing swirl marks, light scratches, and oxidation to rejuvenate paint surface
- Applying wax or sealants evenly to protect your car’s paint and enhance its gloss
- Polishing and restoring clarity to foggy or yellowed headlights for improved visibility and aesthetics
- Polishing chrome trim, exhaust tips, and alloy wheels to maintain their luster and prevent rust and corrosion
Ratcheting Wrench Set
One of the primary benefits of ratcheting wrenches is their ability to speed up your work. Unlike traditional wrenches, which need to be removed and repositioned after each turn, ratcheting wrenches allow for continuous motion.
This continuous motion - tightening or loosening bolts quickly without breaking your rhythm - is a game-changer when organizing your garage, working on garage projects, and working on tight spaces in your car.
Applications:
- Tightening or loosening bolts on metal and wooden shelving units for efficient organization and storage solutions
- Installing pegboards or tool racks to keep your tools organized and accessible
- Fastening components of your workbench or repairing any loose parts
- Loosening and tightening bolts in your car’s exhaust system, which often involves awkward angles
- Adjusting belts, tightening hose clamps, and securing vehicle engine mounts
- Removing and installing calipers, brackets, and other brake components
- Working on struts, shocks, and other vehicle suspension parts that require precision
- Installing or removing car seats, dashboards, and other interior components with hard-to-reach fasteners
- Tightening or loosening bolts on bike frames, handlebars, and seats
- Assembling and maintaining gym equipment, such as weight benches, racks, and machines
- Tightening bolts and adjusting the tension on garage door mechanisms
Vise
When working on any project, having a stable workpiece is important.
This is where a vise makes a difference - it securely holds your materials in place preventing them from slipping or moving, allowing you to work with precision while cutting, filing, or drilling.
Aside from that, a vise also helps promote safety in your garage by reducing the risk of accidents caused by slipping tools or materials.
Applications:
- Keeping small parts steady for assembly or painting when working on hobby projects
- Securing wooden or metal pieces for accurate cutting, filing, or sanding
- Holding pieces together while glue sets, ensuring strong joints and precise alignment
- Holding electronics circuit boards or components in place while soldering or troubleshooting
- Securing brake components in the vise for easy inspection, cleaning, or replacement
- Holding struts or shocks in place while you disassemble and reassemble them
- Clamping exhaust pipes in the vise to cut, weld, or repair them without them moving
- Holding tools like chisels or blades in place while you sharpen them
- Securing tools for thorough cleaning
Workbench
A well-designed workbench provides a reliable platform for working on everything from delicate electronics to heavy-duty car parts.
By keeping your tools, parts, and projects organized and within easy reach, a workbench ensures that you spend less time searching for tools and more time getting the job done.
Applications:
- Providing a stable platform for various tasks that require precision like cutting, sawing, painting, gluing, sanding, grinding, polishing, welding, and many more
- Assembling furniture or DIY projects easily and accurately
- Cutting lumber or plywood sheets
- Keeping delicate electronics steady for soldering or repairs
- Supporting vehicle engine parts for repairs, tuning, or upgrades
Bench Grinder
A bench grinder excels at sharpening and grinding tasks with unparalleled precision.
By giving attention to your tools’ blades, you’re extending the lifespan of your tools and equipment while keeping them in top shape, thereby also reducing the need for frequent replacements, and saving you money in the long run.
Applications:
- Keeping kitchen knives, garden shears, and lawnmower blades razor-sharp
- Shaping woodworking chisels, axes, or carving tools to precise angles and sharpness
- Sharpening hand tools
- Smoothing out welds, polish metal surfaces, or prepare materials for welding
- Shaping and sharpening drill bits or grinding down bolts and screws to fit specific applications
- Smoothing rough edges on metal parts or removing rust and corrosion from automotive components
Telescopic Magnetic Sweeper
Telescopic magnetic sweepers are designed with powerful magnets that attract and collect metal debris like nails, screws, and bolts from shop floors and driveways, reducing the risk of punctured tires and injuries caused by sharp metal debris.
The telescopic handle of these sweepers also makes them adaptable to different heights and environments, allowing you to adjust the handle length so you can cover larger areas, like garage floors, driveways, and parking areas, quickly and effectively in one sweep.
Applications:
- Keeping driveways and parking lots clear of nails and other metal debris that can cause flat tires or injuries
- Clearing metal bottle caps, screws, and other small debris after hosting gatherings
- Picking up metal shavings, screws, and bolts from workshop floors after mechanical work or DIY projects
Your One-Stop Tool Shop All Summer Long
Whether you're gearing up for summer home maintenance, DIY projects, or outdoor entertaining, you can find all these tools and supplies in one convenient place and within the comfort of your home.
At MPR Tools and Equipment, we're dedicated to quality, and durability, and ensuring our customers are delighted with every purchase. Explore our summer collection today with just a few clicks and find everything you need to make the most of the season.
Enjoy personalized customer service that goes above and beyond, along with free shipping on orders over $150. For orders exceeding $400, receive complimentary tools to enhance your toolkit. We stand by our commitment with a one-year Price Match Guarantee and a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring your satisfaction is our priority.
Cheers to summer vibes!
Sources:
https://www.twinkl.ca/blog/the-four-seasons-in-canada
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/11-brilliant-ways-to-use-a-steam-cleaner-at-home/
https://mprtools.com/blogs/news/10-essential-tools-equipment-for-summer-car-camping
https://mprtools.com/blogs/news/portable-work-ligths-guide
https://mprtools.com/blogs/news/the-art-of-automotive-detailing
https://mprtools.com/blogs/news/how-to-keep-your-car-rust-free
https://mprtools.com/blogs/news/choosing-the-right-tool-box-a-comprehensive-buyers-guide
