3 Home Maintenance Tips For Boston Summers

In summer, your biggest concern should be about how many guests are coming to your barbecue, and not how to repair a rotted deck or a broken appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Boston is prevention. When you inspect and fix small issues you see, you can guard against bigger, more expensive problems down the line. Here’s 3 summer home maintenance tips that help you stay on top of your house’s maintenance before big problems occur.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is one of the best times in Boston to increase your home’s energy efficiency so that you can keep your home cool and lower your utility bills. Begin by inspecting your doors and windows for leaks that let air through. Put weatherstripping on doors or replace brittle weatherstripping if you feel air coming through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace the broken sections.

Putting up energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters can help you lower your energy bill - and potentially qualify for a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters minimize the transfer of air through your window’s glass. They’re 70% more energy efficient than normal wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds.

2. Enhance Your Patios And Decks

If you want to entertain on your patio or porch this summer, ensure it’s prepared for guests. First, inspect your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any stairs, supports, or boards that need replacing because they’re rotting or broken. Then stain or seal your deck and patio to give it a new look and guard it against the relentless summer sun and rain.

Once you’ve replaced or repaired any soft boards and areas and sealed your patio, it’s time for the fun part: dressing it up. You can add interest to the windows and doors attached to your porch and patio by using window treatments such as plantation shutters for your french door or sliding doors or sidelight shutters. Then enhance your porch and patio with stylish patio furniture or perhaps even a fire pit. Finally, landscape the edges of your patio or porch to bring nature into the space.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can put a stop to your summer activities. Here’s a list of things to do to maintain your major appliances and keep them running smoothly:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can raise your energy bill since your fridge needs to work harder. 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 vacuum out the coils.

● Dishwasher. Check your dishwasher for any lines that are leaking or backed up water. Then give it a deep clean and deodorize it by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. 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 leaks, cracks, or bulges. If necessary, replace the hoses. You should clear out your dryer hose and exterior vent annually or have a professional do the job.

Enjoy Your 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 fresh look this summer with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, browse through our idea gallery and then contact us for a free in-home consultation at 781-352-2205. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Boston and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can just relax and enjoy your summer.