3 Home Maintenance Tips For Phoenix Summers
During the summer, your biggest care should be about cooking enough food for your barbecue, and not how to deal with high utility bills, a rotted deck, or a broken appliance. Prevention is the key to summer home maintenance in Phoenix. By inspecting and resolving little issues, you can avoid larger, more expensive projects in the future. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that help you stay on top of your home’s maintenance before bigger problems happen.
1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Summer is a great time in Phoenix to work on your home’s energy efficiency so that you can keep your home cool and lower your energy bills. Start by checking your windows and doors for leaks that let air in. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace cracked weatherstripping if you feel air coming through. Check your windows’ caulking for any missing pieces or cracks and replace it if needed.
Purchasing energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters is another way you can lower your energy bill - and potentially qualify for a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters minimize air transfer through the glass in your windows. They’re 70% more energy efficient than normal wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds which many homes currently use.
2. Brighten Up Your Porches And Patios
If you want to throw parties on your porch or patio this summer, check that it’s ready for your guests. Start by inspecting your deck or patio for safety. See if there are any supports, boards, or stairs that need replacing because they’re broken and can’t bear weight. Then stain or seal your patio and deck to give it a fresh look and protect it from the bright summer sun and rain.
After you’ve replaced any damaged boards and areas and sealed your patio, it’s time to make it shine. Make your windows and doors adjacent to your porch and patio more interesting by adding 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 cheer up the space.
3. Maintain Large Appliances
Broken or leaky appliances can disrupt your summer activities. Here’s a list of things to check for with your major appliances to keep them humming along:
● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can increase your electric bill since your fridge needs to work harder. It’s easy to vacuum them out. Begin by unplugging your refrigerator and then use your vacuum’s crevice tool (or a coil cleaning brush attachment) to vacuum out the coils.
● Dishwasher. Inspect your dishwasher for any leaks or backed up water. Then deodorize it and give it a deep clean by adding a cup of vinegar to a cycle. You’ll also want to empty and clean the filter (located underneath the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.
● Washer and dryer. Check your washing machine hoses for any leaks, cracks, or bulges. Replace the hoses if needed. You should clear out your dryer hose and exterior vent annually or hire a professional to do the job.
Have A Fun Summer
By maintaining your home and appliances, you can have a pleasant summer. If you’re interested in giving your house a fresh look this year with window treatments for your patios, dining rooms, or living rooms, check out our idea gallery and then call us for a free in-home consultation at 480-485-7743. We’ll show you all your window treatment options in Phoenix and do all the work and installation so you can sit back and enjoy your summer.
