3 Home Maintenance Tips For Dover Summers

In summer, your biggest concern should be about having enough food for your deck party, and not how to fix a rotted deck or a broken appliance. Prevention is the key to summer home maintenance in Dover. By inspecting and fixing small issues you discover, you can guard against bigger, more expensive projects in the future. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that help you remain in control of your house’s maintenance before larger problems happen.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is one of the best times in Dover to work on your home’s energy efficiency in order to keep your home cool and your energy bills low. Begin by inspecting your doors and windows for leaks that let air through. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace old weatherstripping if you feel air leaking through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or missing pieces and replace it if needed.

Putting up energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters is another way you can reduce your utility bill - and potentially get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters minimize air transfer through your window’s glass. They’re 70% more energy efficient than normal wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds.

2. Spruce Up Your Porches And Patios

If you’re planning on barbecuing on your porch or patio during the summer, ensure it’s in the best shape for your guests. Start by checking your deck or patio for safety. See if there are any stairs, supports, or boards that need to be replaced because they’re soft and rotted. Then stain or seal your patio and deck to make it look like new again and shield it from the hot summer sun and rain.

Once you’ve replaced or repaired any damaged boards and areas and stained your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. Make your windows and doors attached to your deck and porch more beautiful by installing window treatments like sidelight shutters or plantation shutters for your french door or sliding doors. Then add new patio furniture or a fire pit. The last step is to landscape the edges of your porch or patio to make it more colorful.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can disrupt your summer plans. Here’s a list of things to check 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 clean and vacuum them out. Begin by unplugging your refrigerator and then use your vacuum’s crevice tool (or a coil cleaning brush attachment) to remove all the lint and dirt from the coils.

● Dishwasher. Check your dishwasher for any leaks or backed up water. Then give it a deep clean and deodorize it by adding a cup of vinegar to a cycle. The last step is to empty and clean the filter (located underneath the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.

● Washer and dryer. Inspect your washing machine hoses for any leaks, cracks, or bulges. If needed, replace the hoses. You should clean out your dryer hose and exterior vent annually or hire a professional to do the job.

Have An Enjoyable Summer

By keeping on top of your home and appliances, you can enjoy a carefree summer. If you want to give your house a fresh look this year with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, look through our idea gallery and then give us a ring for a free in-home consultation at 301-835-1611. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Dover and do all the work and installation so you can relax and have a pleasant summer.