Your first thoughts of the Florida lifestyle probably evoke sunny days, but intense heat, heavy storms, and pests are an occasional part of the picture, too. While every new Medallion home is built with the finest available materials and workmanship, regular maintenance is necessary to keep it operating at peak efficiency. When properly protected with the following home maintenance tips, your beautiful Medallion home will increase in value and serve you for years to come.
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How To Prepare A Florida Home
Caring for your Florida home is a responsibility, even when it’s a brand-new Medallion home! With our home maintenance checklist, you’ll have a good idea of what to do to keep your home humming along. (If anything is beyond your skill level, don’t hesitate to hire a professional.)
High Heat & Humidity
Florida is hot and humid for half of the year, so keeping your home comfortable is important. Here are some summer home maintenance tips for keeping your cool:
- Cover the windows . Window treatments/coverings are a good idea. Keeping curtains and shades closed on hot & sunny days helps to block the sun and keep it from heating the house. (Impact windows also block UV rays. See below!)
- Switch to cooler lighting . Incandescent light bulbs give off a lot of energy and raise the temperature of a home. Replace hot incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient options like LEDs or CFLs. LEDs produce 80% less heat than incandescents, keeping the house cooler.
- Invest in efficient appliances. Energy-efficient appliances (ovens, dishwashers, dryers) lessen ambient heat. When drying clothes, consider using a low heat setting for a longer cycle to emit less heat into the home. If possible, use appliances during the least hot parts of the day.
- Adjust ceiling fans . This is a quick way to adjust temperatures. Check the direction the fan is blowing in. If you want to remove hot air, make sure the blades move counterclockwise. This will push cool air down and automatically make the space cooler.
- Check the plumbing . While plumbing may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to keeping cool, it does contribute to the temperature. For example, wrapped/insulated pipes keep heat from being released, as does an insulated hot water heater.
Storm Protection
Intense storms, high winds, and hurricanes are an occasional part of living in Florida. But they have spurred engineering and construction improvements that are making homes safer and more resilient. From roofing to foundations, new homes have features that protect from wind, rain, and water damage.
One of the biggest game changers is impact windows. PGT Impact Windows are the gold standard when it comes to storm protection. Here at Medallion Home, we've made them standard in every home we build because they provide so much benefit to the home and peace of mind to the homeowner.
What are impact windows? Impact windows combine heavy-duty aluminum frames with impact-resistant, laminated glass and a special silicone glazing process to keep the glass from breaking away from its frame. During storms and hurricanes, if flying debris hits the windows, they don’t shatter, protecting the home from the elements and residents from flying glass.
They also:
- Provide UV Protection . Impact windows can filter out 99% of UV rays while allowing in natural sunlight.
- Maximize Energy Savings . Heating and cooling account for nearly half of the average American home's energy costs.
- Reduce Noise . PGT's impact windows reduce noise from outside by as much as 65%.
- Offer Security . Many home break-ins happen via windows. Impact windows are designed to withstand repeated impact – a challenge most burglars don’t bother with.
- Have a Good ROI . These windows can yield as much as an 80% return on investment, ensuring you'll get top dollar should you sell your home.
Pests
After how to manage intense heat, the most common issue for Floridians is how to keep bugs out of the house. At Medallion Home, we've partnered with HomeTeam Pest Defense to incorporate the most innovative and effective pest control system into every home we build. Taexx® is an integrated home system that creates a virtual barrier of protection against household pests commonly found in Florida — including ants, cockroaches, spiders, and wasps — and against damage-causing termites. In addition to the Taexx® pest control system in the walls, we use the Sentricon system in the ground to destroy and control any termites near the home.
Preventing pests also requires good pest exclusion, aka the practice of anticipating what attracts pests and eliminating it before an infestation happens. Here are some tips:
- Dispose of garbage regularly . Sealing and getting rid of garbage reduces the likelihood that ants will find it. During the warmer months, take it out more often.
- Properly store pet food . Pet food is a great attraction for many critters. Store pet food in a sealed container. This will remove the temptation for bugs/vermin, and keep the food fresh.
- Check entry points . Pests may come in through doors and windows. Check entryways for signs of pests. Replace weather stripping on doors. Look for loose mortar. Repair damaged screens.
- Trim overgrown foliage . Trim tree limbs and any other plants or shrubs that touch the sides or roof. This will reduce the chances of pests climbing branches and getting inside.
- Ventilate humid areas . Moisture is a breeding ground for many pests. Check crawl spaces and attics for humid areas. Dry them out and keep them well-ventilated.
General Maintenance
Taking care of basic home maintenance tasks saves money and enhances the value of your home. Here are some general home maintenance tasks:
- Keep gutters clean to prevent standing water.
- Replace air filters to improve air quality.
- Clean the dryer vent regularly. Have it professionally cleaned once a year.
- Have your HVAC professionally cleaned and maintained at least twice a year.
- Test smoke/carbon monoxide alarms monthly; replace alarms every 10 years. Check fire extinguisher gauges/expiration dates to ensure they’ll operate in an emergency.
- Flush toilets and run water through faucets. Look for leaks, slow drains, and unpleasant smells which could indicate a plumbing issue, clogs, or faulty fixtures.
- Turn circuit breakers off and on to ensure they all work. Press the "test" button on all GFCI outlets.
- Inspect electrical cords for signs of tears or fraying.
- Apply caulk wherever it is cracked or pulled away from windows, doorways, bathtubs, toilets, sinks, etc.
- Drain the hot water heater once a year to reduce the likelihood of sediment buildup and prolong the life of your heater.
New Homes in Central Florida & Southwest Florida!
As one of the most successful Southwest and Central Florida home builders, Medallion builds incredible homes in the cities of Sarasota, Bradenton, Parrish, and Mount Dora. They each have their own unique set of communities ready to welcome you home!
SARASOTA
- Hampton Lakes | New 4+ acre lots available | Starting at $998,100
BRADENTON
- Legends Bay | Gated-community with available lots along Sarasota Bay | Starting at $430,000
- Watercolor Place Villas | Maintenance-free villas with no CDDs and low HOA | Starting at $459,100
- Watercolor Place Single Family Homes | Tour new furnished models | Starting at $584,100
- Watercolor Place Coach Homes | Tour new models | Starting at $549,100
- Aqua Single Family Homes | 4-acre lagoon & sandy beach off Sarasota Bay | Starting at $794,100
- Aqua Townhomes | Maintenance-free townhomes with 4-acre lagoon & sandy beach near Sarasota Bay | Starting at $799,950
PARRISH
- The Laurels Villas | Design-ready & to-be-built homes within Cross Creek | Starting at $404,100
- The Willows Single-Family Homes | Design-ready & to-be-built homes within Cross Creek | Starting at $486,100
- River Preserve Estates | 3-car garage community located within Cross Creek | Starting at $640,100
MOUNT DORA
- Lakes of Mount Dora | 55+ Active adult community with no CDDs and low HOA | Starting at $449,100
Connect with Medallion Homes Today!
At Medallion Home, one of the most trusted home builders in southwest Florida, we build new homes designed to serve your family for years to come. When you choose a new Medallion home, you’ll have great peace of mind thanks to our quality construction and systems. Connect with us for more information about Medallion homes in Central or Southwest Florida.
