Caring for the exterior of your home is muy importante. Believe it or not, if you don't care for the exterior of your property, the interior of your home can suffer, too. Many things can affect your home's exterior, from the weather to its age to general wear and tear. Of course, you don't have to spend ungodly amounts of time looking after it, but you should do a few things here and there to protect it. Put these four home maintenance items on your to-do list this year.
Four Essential Ways To Care For Your Home's Exterior
Prune Overhanging Trees
Part of any spring or fall home clean up should be to prune trees, shrubs and hedges, especially if they begin to encroach your neighbor's property, or seem to be growing dangerously close to your house. For any tree limb or branch you can't reach, or to get an idea of whether or not to remove dead or dying trees, consult an arborist from a trusted tree care service. They will advise you on what to do about any trees or shrubs on your property that you might be concerned with.
Paint Your Home
Your entire home may not need a fresh coat of paint, but just like any home we're certain there are a few parts that can use it. For example, this year we absolutely must paint our front steps and trim (and put new treads on the steps). Perhaps your front steps need freshening up, too. Or maybe it's your fence or your deck. Regardless, take a weekend and give a lick of paint those parts of your home's exterior that can use it.
Carry Out Regular Roof Inspections
As we mentioned earlier, there are some parts of your home's exterior that can greatly affect your home's interior--and your roof is one of them. At least once a year, perform a visual inspection of your roof. You can start by going into your attic on a sunny day and checking to see if you can find any sunlight creeping in. Also, consider purchasing a drone--they are fun AF, plus they can give you a great visual of your roofline, without any of the danger!
Maintain Gutters & Downspouts
Another way to protect your roof (and the rest of your home) is to maintain the gutters and downspouts. The gutter system is designed to drain water away from your home when it rains or when snow and ice begin to melt. If the gutters aren't clear or are in disrepair, they won't work properly, causing ice dams that can damage your ceilings. Clogged or damaged downspouts can cause foundation damage, so be sure to check them regularly as well.
Maintain Or Upgrade Your Stonework Or Brickwork
There’s bound to be some form of stonework or brickwork that contributes towards your home's exterior, whether you have a stone-covered chimney chute or a delightful brickwork driveway. It’s important to realize that over time, these brickwork or stonework features can easily fall victim to wear and tear, especially if you live in a location that regularly falls victim to bad weather (think lots of rain or intense sunshine). So, taking the opportunity to improve or even upgrade these features might just be the perfect option to help you properly care for your home's exterior! You can use a pressure washer to blast away any dirt or grime, or potentially look into new stone veneer products that can refresh your home's aesthetic with ease. Be sure to take the right steps to protect your stonework or brickwork too, as this way you can actively extend their lifespan and keep your home looking great for years to come!
As we mentioned earlier, there are some parts of your home's exterior that can greatly affect your home's interior--and your roof is one of them. At least once a year, perform a visual inspection of your roof. You can start by going into your attic on a sunny day and checking to see if you can find any sunlight creeping in. Also, consider purchasing a drone--they are fun AF, plus they can give you a great visual of your roofline, without any of the danger!
Maintain Gutters & Downspouts
Another way to protect your roof (and the rest of your home) is to maintain the gutters and downspouts. The gutter system is designed to drain water away from your home when it rains or when snow and ice begin to melt. If the gutters aren't clear or are in disrepair, they won't work properly, causing ice dams that can damage your ceilings. Clogged or damaged downspouts can cause foundation damage, so be sure to check them regularly as well.
Maintain Or Upgrade Your Stonework Or Brickwork
There’s bound to be some form of stonework or brickwork that contributes towards your home's exterior, whether you have a stone-covered chimney chute or a delightful brickwork driveway. It’s important to realize that over time, these brickwork or stonework features can easily fall victim to wear and tear, especially if you live in a location that regularly falls victim to bad weather (think lots of rain or intense sunshine). So, taking the opportunity to improve or even upgrade these features might just be the perfect option to help you properly care for your home's exterior! You can use a pressure washer to blast away any dirt or grime, or potentially look into new stone veneer products that can refresh your home's aesthetic with ease. Be sure to take the right steps to protect your stonework or brickwork too, as this way you can actively extend their lifespan and keep your home looking great for years to come!
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