3 Home Maintenance Tips For Salt Lake City Summers

During the summer, your biggest care should be about having enough food for your summer party, and not how to repair a rotted deck or a busted appliance. Prevention is the key to summer home maintenance in Salt Lake City. By inspecting and resolving small problems you see, you can guard against bigger, more expensive projects in the future. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that keep you on top of your house’s maintenance before big problems start.

1. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Summer is a great time in Salt Lake City to increase 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 air leaks. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace old weatherstripping if you feel air passing through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or missing pieces and replace it as needed.

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. Spruce Up Your Patios And Porches

If you want to host parties on your patio or porch during the summer, make sure it’s in the best shape for guests. Start by inspecting your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any supports, boards, or stairs that need replacing because they’re soft and rotted. Give your deck and patio a fresh look and shield it from the hot summer sun and rain by staining or sealing it.

Once you’ve fixed any broken boards and areas and sealed your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. Make your windows and doors adjacent to your patio and deck more beautiful by installing window treatments like plantation shutters for your french door or sliding doors or sidelight shutters. Then add stylish patio furniture or maybe even a fire pit. Finally, landscape the area around your porch or patio to make it more colorful.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can put a damper on your fun summer plans. Here’s some things to watch out for with your major appliances to help them run 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. Start 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 leaks or backed up water. Then give it a deep clean and deodorize it by adding a cup of vinegar to a cycle. Finally, clean out the filter (located under the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.

● Washer and dryer. Inspect your washing machine hoses for any cracks, leaks, or bulges. If needed, replace the hoses. 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. If you’re interested in giving your house a new look this summer 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 801-515-3598. We’ll walk you through all your window treatment options in Salt Lake City and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can sit back and enjoy your summer.