3 Home Maintenance Tips For Cleveland Summers

In summer, your biggest care should be about how many guests are coming to your summer party, and not how to fix a rotted deck or a leaky appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Cleveland is prevention. When you inspect and fix small issues you discover, you can guard against bigger, more expensive projects down the line. Here’s 3 summer home maintenance tips that will keep you on top of your home’s maintenance before big problems happen.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is a great time in Cleveland to work on your home’s energy efficiency so that you can keep your home cool and lower your energy bills. The first thing you should do is check your windows and doors for leaks that let air in. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace cracked weatherstripping if you feel air leaking through. Inspect your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace the broken sections.

You can also reduce your utility bill by purchasing an energy efficient window treatment like plantation shutters - and potentially get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters lower air transfer 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 many homes currently use.

2. Enhance Your Patios And Porches

If you want to host parties on your porch or patio this summer, make sure it’s prepared for guests. Start by checking your deck or patio for safety. See if there are any boards, supports, or steps that need replacing because they’re rotting or broken. Give your deck and patio a fresh look and guard it against the hot summer sun and rain by sealing or staining it.

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 doors and windows adjacent to your deck and porch more beautiful by adding window treatments like sidelight shutters or plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors. Then enhance your porch and patio with new patio furniture or perhaps even a fire pit. Landscape the edges of your porch or patio to make it more colorful.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can put a stop to your summer plans. Here’s some things to check for with your major appliances to help them run smoothly:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can increase your electric bill since your fridge needs to work harder. It’s easy to clean and 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. Inspect your dishwasher for any leaks or backed up water. Then deodorize it and give it a deep clean by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. The last step is to clean out the filter (located underneath the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.

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

Have An Enjoyable Summer

By keeping on top of your home and appliances, you can have a relaxing summer. And if you want to give your home a new look this summer with window treatments for your patios, dining rooms, or living rooms, look through our idea gallery and then give us a ring for a free in-home consultation at 440-561-6787. We’ll show you all your window treatment options in Cleveland and do all the measuring and installation so you can just relax and enjoy your summer.