3 Home Maintenance Tips For Honolulu Summers

During the summer, your biggest concern should be about cooking enough food for your summer party, and not how to handle expensive utility bills, a rotted deck, or a leaky appliance. Preventing problems before they happen is the key to summer home maintenance in Honolulu. By inspecting and fixing small issues, you can avoid larger, more expensive projects in the future. Here’s 3 home maintenance tips for summer that will keep you on top of your home’s maintenance before larger problems start.

1. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Summer is a great time in Honolulu to make your home more energy efficient in order to keep your home cool and lower your utility bills. The first thing you should do is inspect your doors and windows for leaks that let air through. Add weatherstripping to doors or replace old weatherstripping if you feel air leaking through. Inspect your windows’ caulking for any cracks or leaks and replace the cracked sections.

You can also lower your energy bill by using an energy efficient window treatment like plantation shutters - and perhaps even get a tax credit. Polywood® faux wood plantation shutters lower air transfer through the glass in your windows. They’re 70% more energy efficient than normal wooden shutters and 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds which many homes currently use.

2. Enhance Your Patios And Porches

If you’re planning on hosting parties on your porch or patio this summer, check that it’s in the best shape for your guests. Start by inspecting your patio or deck for safety. See if there are any stairs, supports, or boards that need to be replaced because they’re broken or rotting. Give your deck and patio a fresh look and protect it from the summer sun and rain by sealing or staining it.

Once you’ve fixed any broken 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 next to your porch and patio by using window treatments like plantation shutters for your sliding door or french doors or sidelight shutters. Then make your porch or patio a haven by bringing in new patio furniture or maybe even a fire pit. The last step is to landscape the area around your porch or patio to bring nature into the space.

3. Maintain Large Appliances

Appliances that are broken or leak can put a damper on your summer plans. Here’s some things to check for with your major appliances to keep them running smoothly:

● Refrigerator. Clogged refrigerator coils can raise your electric bill by making your fridge work harder. It’s easy to unclog them by vacuuming them. 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 leaks or backed up water. Then give it a deep clean and deodorize it by running a cycle with a cup of vinegar. The last step is to empty and clean the filter (which is underneath the spray arms in most dishwashers) with soap and water.

● Washer and dryer. Check your washing machine hoses for any leaks, cracks, or bulges. If necessary, replace the hoses. Once a year, you should clear out your dryer hose and exterior vent or have a professional do the job.

Have An Enjoyable Summer

By maintaining your home and appliances, you’ll be able to have a pleasant summer. If you’re interested in giving 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 808-797-2004. We’ll show you samples of all your window treatment options in Honolulu and do all the work and installation so you can relax and have a pleasant summer.