Whether your home is one year old or one hundred, routine maintenance plays an important role in protecting your investment and helping you avoid unexpected repairs.
In our new Ask the Expert series, we’re sharing practical tips and insights from our Bethesda-based remodeling team to help homeowners such as yourself protect, maintain, and enjoy your homes year-round.
This month, we’re joined by Tito Pinto, Assistant Project Manager and home maintenance expert here at InSite. From evaluating existing conditions to overseeing renovation projects, Tito spends his days helping homeowners identify potential issues before they become costly problems.
With summer in full swing, we asked him to share a few of the maintenance tasks he recommends homeowners tackle this season to protect their investment and keep their homes performing at their best.
- Clean Your Refrigerator Coils
One of the most overlooked items on any home maintenance checklist is the refrigerator. Dust, pet hair, and lint can build up on the condenser coils over time, restricting airflow and forcing the appliance to work harder than necessary.
This is especially important for high-end models, such as Sub-Zero refrigerators, which rely on proper airflow to operate efficiently. Taking a few minutes to vacuum or clean the coils can help improve performance, reduce energy consumption, and potentially extend the life of your refrigerator.
- Inspect and Clean Your Dryer Vent
Your dryer vent plays a critical role in both safety and efficiency. Over time, lint can accumulate in the vent line, restricting airflow and increasing drying times. More importantly, clogged dryer vents can become a fire hazard.
As part of your seasonal home maintenance routine, inspect the exterior vent cap to ensure it opens properly when the dryer is running. If drying cycles seem longer than usual, it may be time for a professional vent cleaning.
Regular dryer vent maintenance can improve efficiency, lower energy costs, and help keep your home safe.
- Check Bathroom Exhaust Fans
Bathroom exhaust fans work hard year-round to remove moisture from your home. This is especially important to prevent excess moisture buildup during the humid Maryland summer months. Excess moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and damage to finishes. A functioning exhaust fan helps protect everything from paint and drywall to cabinetry and trim.
Turn on each bathroom fan and confirm that it’s pulling air effectively. If airflow seems weak, remove the cover and clean away any dust buildup. It’s also worth checking that the fan is venting properly to the exterior of the home.
- Look for Plumbing Leaks Under Sinks and Around Toilets
Small plumbing leaks often go unnoticed until they cause significant damage. That’s why Tito recommends periodically checking beneath bathroom vanities, kitchen sinks, and around toilet bases. Be sure to look for:
- Water stains
- Damp cabinet floors
- Signs of mold or mildew
- Corroded fittings
- Slow drips from P-traps or supply lines
Catching a small leak early can help prevent costly repairs and protect cabinetry, flooring, and surrounding finishes.
- Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
No home maintenance checklist is complete without a safety check!
Summer is a great time to test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Replace batteries if needed and confirm that every unit is functioning properly. If detectors are more than 10 years old, replace them entirely.
This simple task takes only a few minutes but provides long-term peace of mind.
A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way
Routine home maintenance helps protect your investment, improve efficiency, and prevent small issues from turning into major repairs. By adding these five tasks to your summer home maintenance checklist, you’ll keep your home running smoothly throughout the season and beyond.
For homeowners in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac, and the surround Washington, D.C. area, summer is an ideal time to complete these maintenance tasks before the busy fall season arrives.
Want help with your home maintenance tasks? Want to discuss an even bigger home renovation project? Our team is always happy to help. Contact us here and let’s chat!
