A home is one of the most significant and prized investments, and regular maintenance is crucial to keep it in great shape. However, most people are so caught up in maintaining the house’s interior that they forget the exterior, which is often detrimental.
Failing to maintain the outside of your home makes it vulnerable to pests, moisture, rot, and decay which result in expensive repairs, not to mention compromising your home’s safety and visual appeal. Read on for five exterior maintenance tips to keep your home in excellent condition.
1. Clean the siding
Sidings protects your home against environmental elements. Over time, dirt, dust, debris, and mildew accumulate on the cladding, compromising its appearance and causing expensive repairs or replacements. For this reason, you should clean your home’s siding at least twice a year, regardless of the cladding material. You could power wash the siding or use a firm brush and soapy water to remove grime from the siding. Since home sidings are often angled, ensure that you clean the corners while inspecting for cracks so that you repair them to prevent water from seeping through the walls. To ensure your siding remains in top condition and to receive expert guidance on its maintenance, consider consulting with siding experts in Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, or any other cities.
2. Inspect and repair the roofing system
Inspect the parts of a roof, including the shingles, valleys, flashing, soffits, and eaves, to identify signs of damage and defects. Missing shingles, cracked caulk on the flashings, rust spots, sagging, decay, and broken shingles could let rot, pests, and moisture inside the house, so you should repair the damages promptly. If a roof is over ten years old, it becomes weak and rusty and decreases your home’s aesthetic appeal, so consider investing in a complete roof replacement.
3. Paint your home’s exterior
Adding a new coat of paint to the exterior of your home is one of the most straightforward and inexpensive ways to boost curb appeal. Painting seals the exterior wall surfaces, protecting your house from damage. Look for paint chipping or peeling signs and consider investing in a touch-up or new coat. However, ensure you pick a paint colour that complements the existing shade.
4. Fix the driveway
Be sure to perform routine driveway inspections. If you notice any cracks or holes, you should consider fixing them as they often compromise your home’s aesthetic appeal and could result in severe problems if left unattended. Fill or patch chips or cracks on your concrete driveway using cement repair products. However, seek a professional’s services for sunken concrete or deeper holes or cracks.
Once you fill all the holes and patches, you could consider installing a waterproof sealer to combat the appearance of stains in the future. Be sure to power wash the driveway to maintain it in pristine condition.
5. Clean the gutters
Gutters prevent rain from soaking into your home’s foundations and roofing system. However, leaves, seeds, rakes, petals, and debris accumulate in the rain gutters over time, clogging the drainage system and causing severe problems that affect the overall home exterior, including the foundation, siding, and roofing system. It also decreases your paint and roof shingle’s lifespan, so you should clean the aluminium guttering at least twice yearly. Be sure to also repair any damages and leaks on the gutters, and if your budget allows it, invest in gutter guards to keep unwanted particles out.
Although exterior maintenance is time-consuming and tedious, it is vital to creating a long-lasting shelter. Clean the siding, paint the exterior, clean the gutters, and inspect and repair the roof to enhance curb appeal and increase your home’s value.
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