3 Home Maintenance Tips For New Brunswick Summers

In summer, your biggest worry should be about how many guests are coming to your barbecue, and not how to handle sky high utility bills, a rotted deck, or a leaky appliance. The key to summer home maintenance in New Brunswick is prevention. When you inspect and fix little issues, you can guard against bigger, more expensive projects down the line. Here’s 3 summer home maintenance tips that keep you in control of your house’s maintenance before bigger problems start.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is one of the best times in New Brunswick to make your home more energy efficient in order to keep the heat out and lower your energy bills. Start by checking your windows and doors for leaks that let air through. Put weatherstripping on doors or replace cracked weatherstripping if you feel air coming through. Check your windows’ caulking for any missing pieces or cracks and replace the broken sections.

Purchasing energy efficient window treatments like plantation shutters is another way to lower your utility bill - and potentially qualify for a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters lower air transfer through 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 Decks And Patios

If you’re planning on entertaining on your porch or patio this summer, check that it’s in the best shape for all your guests. Begin by checking your patio or deck for safety. Look underneath to see if there are any boards, supports, or steps that should be replaced because they’re soft and rotted. Then stain or seal your deck and patio to give it a new 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 attached to your patio and porch by adding window treatments like plantation shutters for your french door or sliding doors or sidelight shutters. Then make your porch or patio a haven by bringing in your favorite patio furniture or a fire pit. Finally, landscape the area around your porch or patio to bring in color.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can disrupt 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 it needs to and increase your energy bill. It’s easy to clean and vacuum them out. Unplug your refrigerator and then use the crevice tool on your vacuum (or a coil cleaning brush attachment) to vacuum out and unclog the coils.

● Dishwasher. Inspect your dishwasher for any leaks or backed up water. Then deodorize and deep clean it by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. The last step is to clean out the filter (located under the spray arms in most models) with soap and water.

● Washer and dryer. Check 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 hire a professional to do the job.

Enjoy Your Summer

By keeping on top of your home and appliances, you can enjoy a carefree summer. And if you want to give your home a beautiful look this year with window treatments for your patios, living rooms, or kitchen, browse through our idea gallery and then give us a ring for a free in-home consultation at 732-301-6168. We’ll show you all your window treatment options in New Brunswick and do all the measuring and installation so you can relax and have a pleasant summer.