3 Home Maintenance Tips For Southern California Summers

During the summer, your biggest care should be about how many guests are coming to your barbecue, and not how to repair a rotted deck or a busted appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Southern California is prevention. When you inspect and fix little issues you see, you can avoid bigger, more expensive problems in the future. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that help you stay on top of your house’s maintenance before bigger problems happen.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is one of the best times in Southern California to make your home more energy efficient so that you can keep the heat out and lower your utility bills. Begin by checking your doors and windows for air leaks. Put weatherstripping on doors or replace broken weatherstripping if you feel air passing through. Inspect your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace it if needed.

You can also lower your energy bill by installing an energy efficient window treatment like plantation shutters - and perhaps even qualify for a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters minimize the transfer of air through your windows. They’re 70% more energy efficient than normal wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds.

2. Enhance Your Patios And Porches

If you’re planning on hosting parties on your porch or patio this summer, make sure it’s prepared for your guests. Start by checking your deck or patio for safety. See if there are any supports, boards, or stairs that should be replaced because they’re rotting or broken. Then seal or stain your deck and patio to give it a fresh look and protect it from the relentless summer sun and rain.

After you’ve fixed any soft boards and areas and sealed your patio, you’re ready for the fun part - making it shine. Add interest to the windows and doors attached to your porch and patio by installing window treatments like plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors or sidelight shutters. Then enhance your porch and patio with your favorite patio furniture or maybe even a fire pit. The last step is to landscape the edges of your patio or porch to bring nature into the space.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Broken or leaky appliances can put a stop to your fun summer plans. Here’s a few things to do to maintain your major appliances and keep them humming along:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils make your fridge work harder than necessary and raise your utility bill. It’s easy to 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. Inspect your dishwasher for any backed up water or leaks. Then deep clean and deodorize it by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. The last step is 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 cracks, leaks, or bulges. If needed, replace the hoses. Once a year, you should clear out your dryer hose and exterior vent or hire a professional to do the job.

Have A Fun 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 year with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, look through our idea gallery and then call us for a free in-home consultation at 888-611-2474. We’ll show you all your window treatment options in Southern California and do all the measuring and installation so you can just relax and enjoy your summer.