3 Home Maintenance Tips For Clearwater Summers
During the summer, your biggest worry should be about how many guests are coming to your deck party, and not how to repair a rotted deck or a leaky appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Clearwater is prevention. By inspecting and fixing small problems, you can avoid larger, more expensive problems down the line. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that will keep you in control of your home’s maintenance before big problems happen.
1. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Summer is a great time in Clearwater to work on your home’s energy efficiency in order to keep your home cool and lower your energy bills. Start by checking your doors and windows for leaks that let air through. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace broken weatherstripping if you feel air passing through. Inspect your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace it as needed.
Installing energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters is another way to lower your energy bill - and potentially qualify for a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters reduce the transfer of air through the glass in your windows. They’re 70% more energy efficient than traditional wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds which are found in many homes.
2. Brighten Up Your Patios And Decks
If you’re planning on hosting parties on your patio or deck during the summer, check that it’s prepared for all your guests. Start by checking your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any stairs, supports, or boards that need replacing because they’re soft and rotted. Then stain or seal your patio and deck to give it a fresh look and protect it from the hot summer sun and rain.
Once you’ve replaced or repaired any damaged boards and areas and sealed your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. Make your windows and doors adjacent to your deck and porch more interesting by using window treatments such as plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors or sidelight shutters. Then add your favorite patio furniture or maybe even a fire pit. Landscape the edges of your porch or patio to bring in color.
3. Maintain Large Appliances
Appliances that are broken or leak can disrupt your summer activities. Here’s some things to watch out for with your major appliances to keep them running smoothly:
● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can raise your energy bill by making your fridge work harder. It’s easy to vacuum them out. Unplug your refrigerator and then use your vacuum’s crevice tool (or a coil cleaning brush attachment) to vacuum out and unclog the coils.
● Dishwasher. Check your dishwasher for any leaks or backed up water. Then deodorize and deep clean it by adding a cup of vinegar to a cycle. Finally, empty and clean the filter (located under the spray arms in most dishwashers) with soap and water.
● Washer and dryer. Check your washing machine hoses for any bulges, cracks, or leaks. If necessary, replace the hoses. Once a year, you should clean your dryer hose and exterior vent or have a professional do the job.
Have An Enjoyable Summer
By preventing large problems with your home and appliances, you’ll be able to have a pleasant summer. If you’re interested in giving your home a new look this season with window treatments for your patios, kitchens, or bedrooms, browse through our idea gallery and then contact us for a free in-home consultation at 813-580-7288. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Clearwater and do all the work and installation so you can sit back and enjoy your summer.
