3 Home Maintenance Tips For Virginia Beach Summers

In summer, your biggest worry should be about having enough food for your deck party, and not how to fix a rotted deck or a busted appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in Virginia Beach is prevention. By inspecting and fixing small problems you discover, you can prevent bigger, 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 bigger problems occur.

1. Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Summer is a great time in Virginia Beach to make your home more energy efficient so that you can keep the heat out and your utility bills low. The first thing you should do is inspect your doors and windows for leaks that let air through. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace cracked weatherstripping if you feel air coming through. Check your windows’ caulking for any cracks or missing pieces and replace the cracked sections.

You can also reduce your energy bill by installing an energy efficient window treatment like plantation shutters - and potentially get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters lower the transfer of air through your window’s glass. They’re 70% more energy efficient than traditional wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds which many homes currently use.

2. Brighten Up Your Porches And Patios

If you’re planning on barbecuing on your patio or porch during the summer, ensure it’s ready for all your guests. First, inspect your patio or deck for safety. See if there are any boards, supports, or steps that need replacing because they’re soft and rotted. Then stain or seal your patio and deck to give it a fresh look and protect it from the relentless summer sun and rain.

After you’ve replaced or repaired any soft boards and areas and sealed your patio, it’s time to make it shine. You can add interest to the windows and doors next to your patio and porch 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 new patio furniture or a fire pit. The last step is to landscape the area around your patio or porch to bring in color.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

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

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can raise your electric bill by making your fridge work harder. It’s easy to 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. 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. The last step is to clean out the filter (which is underneath 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 clean your dryer hose and exterior vent annually or hire a professional to do the job.

Have An Enjoyable Summer

By maintaining your home and appliances, you can have a carefree summer. If you want to give your house a fresh look this year with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, check out our idea gallery and then contact us for a free in-home consultation at 757-210-6448. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Virginia Beach and do all the measuring, work, and installation so you can relax and have a pleasant summer.