3 Home Maintenance Tips For Denver Summers

In summer, your biggest care should be about having enough food for your summer party, and not how to deal with expensive utility bills, a rotted deck, or a busted appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Denver is prevention. By inspecting and resolving small problems you find, you can prevent larger, more expensive projects going forward. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that will keep you on top of your house’s maintenance before big problems happen.

1. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

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

Installing energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters can help you reduce your energy bill - and perhaps even get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters reduce 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.

2. Brighten Up Your Decks And Patios

If you’re planning on barbecuing on your patio or deck during the summer, ensure it’s prepared for guests. First, check your deck or patio for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any stairs, supports, or boards that need replacing because they’re broken or rotting. Then stain or seal your deck and patio to make it look like new again and protect it from the relentless summer sun and rain.

Once you’ve fixed any broken boards and areas and stained your patio, you’re ready for the fun part - making it shine. Make your windows and doors attached to your deck and porch more beautiful by installing window treatments such as sidelight shutters or plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors. Then enhance your porch and patio with new patio furniture or a fire pit. Finally, landscape the edges of your patio or porch to make it more colorful.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Broken or leaky appliances can put a damper on your summer plans. Here’s a list of things to do to maintain your major appliances and help them run smoothly:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils make your fridge work harder than it needs to and raise your electric bill. It’s easy to clean and vacuum them out. Start by unplugging 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. 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. 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. If necessary, replace the hoses. You should clear out your dryer hose and exterior vent annually or hire a professional to do the job.

Have A Fun Summer

By preventing large problems with your home and appliances, you can have a pleasant summer. If you want to give your home a new look this season with window treatments for your patios, kitchens, or bedrooms, look through our idea gallery and then contact us for a free in-home consultation at 720-538-0182. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Denver and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can sit back and enjoy your summer.