3 Home Maintenance Tips For Bluff City Summers

During the summer, your biggest care should be about cooking enough food for your deck party, and not how to deal with sky high utility bills, a rotted deck, or a broken appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Bluff City is prevention. When you inspect and fix small problems you see, you can guard against larger, more expensive problems down the line. Here’s 3 summer home maintenance tips that help you remain in control of your house’s maintenance before larger problems occur.

1. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Summer is a great time in Bluff City to work on your home’s energy efficiency in order to keep the heat out and lower your energy bills. Start by checking your windows and doors for leaks that let air through. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace broken weatherstripping if you feel air passing through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace it as needed.

Purchasing energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters is another way to lower your energy bill - and perhaps even get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters reduce the transfer of air through your window’s glass. They’re 70% more energy efficient than traditional wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds which many homes currently use.

2. Spruce Up Your Patios And Porches

If you’re planning on hosting parties on your patio or porch during the summer, check that it’s in tip-top shape for your guests. First, inspect your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any supports, boards, or stairs that should be replaced because they’re broken and can’t bear weight. Give your deck and patio a new look and guard it against the hot summer sun and rain by sealing or staining it.

After you’ve replaced or repaired any soft boards and areas and stained your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. Add interest to the windows and doors attached to your porch and patio by adding window treatments such as plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors or sidelight shutters. Then add stylish patio furniture or maybe even a fire pit. Landscape the edges of your patio or porch to bring nature into the space.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that break down can put a stop to your fun summer activities. Here’s some things to do to maintain your major appliances and 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 remove all the lint and dirt from the coils.

● Dishwasher. Check your dishwasher for any backed up water or leaks. Then deodorize and deep clean it by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. Finally, clean out the filter (located under the spray arms in most dishwashers) with soap and water.

● Washer and dryer. Inspect your washing machine hoses for any cracks, leaks, or bulges. If necessary, replace the hoses. Once a year, you should clean your dryer hose and exterior vent or pay a professional to do the job.

Have An Enjoyable Summer

By maintaining your home and appliances, you can enjoy a carefree summer. If you’re interested in giving your home a new look this season with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, check out our idea gallery and then give us a ring for a free in-home consultation at 276-685-5343. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Bluff City and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can just relax and enjoy your summer.