3 Home Maintenance Tips For Miami Summers

During the summer, your biggest concern should be about having enough food for your deck party, and not how to handle high utility bills, a rotted deck, or a broken appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Miami is prevention. By inspecting and fixing little issues, you can avoid bigger, more expensive projects going forward. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that will keep you in control of your home’s maintenance before big problems occur.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is the perfect time in Miami to work on your home’s energy efficiency in order to keep your home cool and lower your utility bills. The first thing you should do is check your doors and windows for air leaks. Put weatherstripping on doors or replace old weatherstripping if you feel air coming through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace it as needed.

You can also lower your energy bill by using an energy efficient window treatment like plantation shutters - and perhaps even get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters reduce 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 which are found in many homes.

2. Spruce Up Your Patios And Porches

If you’re planning on entertaining on your porch or patio during the summer, make sure it’s ready for guests. First, inspect your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any supports, boards, or stairs that need to be replaced because they’re broken and can’t bear weight. Give your patio and deck a new look and shield it from the summer sun and rain by staining or sealing it.

Once you’ve fixed any broken boards and areas and stained your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. You can add interest to the windows and doors adjacent to your porch and patio by installing window treatments such as sidelight shutters or plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors. Then add new patio furniture or perhaps even a fire pit. Finally, landscape around your patio or porch to bring nature into the space.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Broken or leaky appliances can put a stop to your summer activities. Here’s a list of things to watch out for with your major appliances to help them run smoothly:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils make your fridge work harder than necessary and increase your electric bill. It’s easy to clean and vacuum them out. Begin by unplugging your refrigerator and then use the crevice tool on your vacuum (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 it and give it a deep clean by adding a cup of vinegar to a cycle. You’ll also want to clean out the filter (located under the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.

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

Enjoy Your Summer

By maintaining your home and appliances, you’ll be able to have a carefree summer. If you want to give your house 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 305-520-7515. We’ll walk you through all your window treatment options in Miami and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can just relax and enjoy your summer.