Your home is likely the most expensive thing you will ever own. When you think about that fact and let it sink in, the reality of its value becomes more meaningful. It is important to keep the place you call home in good condition to maintain and increase its worth. And, more importantly, to keep everyone in your family safe, comfortable, and happy in the place that grounds you. Continue reading to learn about some essential home maintenance tips that even busy homeowners, such as yourself, can check off their to-do lists today.
The Driveway
Driveways are workhorses for any home. Your vehicle passes by to and from the garage, and kids play basketball and draw murals with chalk. A driveway is an ideal place to host a few neighbors to sit back on a weekend and catch up with one another. Unfortunately, and inevitably, concrete driveways will crack and shift over time.
Keep your driveway in good order by contacting concrete driveway repair professionals to get it back to looking great.Not only will a repaired driveway help with the outdoor look you are going for, but it will also become a safer area for everyone. When cracks are filled and settling in the surfaces are repaired, tripping hazards are minimized to prevent anyone in your family from getting hurt while playing or an unfortunate fall from a delivery driver and any resulting lawsuit.
The Landscape
As you drive around your neighborhood, you may notice those homes that have a lawn you could lie down and take a nap on. From the well-manicured lawn to the perfectly pruned bushes and trees, it is something you can aspire to. Those homeowners not only have a desire for a great curb aesthetic, but they also are wise to the benefits of maintaining their landscape.
When you take the time to care for your yard, you are not putting in extra time just to make it pretty. That time is well-spent. While mowing, you can inspect the yard for signs of rodent or insect infestations or patchy spots on the lawn. Trimming hedges and trees away from the house lessens the chances of leaves clogging the gutters or falling onto the house during a storm. In addition, while trimming greenery near the house, you can look at the siding and foundation to ensure everything is as it should be and repair any problems you happen to find.
The Gutters
The eaves system on any home is crucial in keeping water away from the building and its foundation. During a rainstorm, if the gutters are leaky, have pulled away from the house, or are clogged with leaves and debris, they will fail to do the work they were designed to do. Instead, water will move past, over, or through unseen cracks and pour directly onto the side of the house, under the facia, and toward the foundation. All of this may cause water to enter the attic, basement, or foundation, where mold can settle in and grow, or cracks will occur, causing structural problems over time.
Avoid any unnecessary and avoidable issues by examining the gutters in the spring, after the snow melts, and once again in the fall before the snow falls. Thoroughly clean the gutters before inspecting them for damage or cracks. Whenever you find a problem, fix it immediately because you never know when it will rain.
Watch this video tutorial on how to reseal a leaky gutter corner.
The Roof
Inspecting your roof at least annually is especially important to determine whether there are any problems or not. Climbing up on the roof for a visual assessment is not possible for everyone based on their physical abilities and the particular style or pitch of a roof. If you are unable to go onto your roof yourself, call a professional to make an appointment.
Look for signs of weather damage, such as hail, or worn, torn, cracked, or missing shingles. All of these indicate a need to replace at least the damaged areas. If you have experienced a storm recently, contact your insurance company to determine coverage options for a full roof replacement. Otherwise, the experts generally recommend replacing the shingles at varying intervals depending on the materials used and the climate.
By being proactive with roof inspections and repairing or replacing damaged and worn shingles, you will prevent water from seeping into the attic, which, in turn, can cause water damage and resulting mold. In addition, by keeping everything in good condition, you can avoid inviting unwanted pests into your home.
The Windows
Cleaning windows may not be a high priority on your list, but you will be glad you took the time to clean them once you are done. Looking through dingy glass mutes the world outside. Start with your exterior windows. Once again, if this is a task that is better left to the professionals, give them a call. Schedule window cleaning or tackle it yourself once a month on the interior and two to three times per year for exterior windows.
By keeping your windows clean, you have the opportunity to look for damage on the windows themselves or around the casements while inspecting for worn or missing caulk or any casements that have pulled away from the house. These are potential problems that often go unnoticed and will need to be fixed to avoid allowing insects or moisture into the home. As for the glass itself, cleaning the windows regularly will extend their life by removing dirt and grime that can etch the glass and dull it over time while helping to maintain the structural integrity of the window.
Taking care of the exterior of your home through preventative maintenance is essential to ensuring it stays in good condition for a long time. By managing unsightly cracks and damage in your cement driveway and conducting routine external inspections and repairs to your home, you will avoid costly fixes later on. Make time today to care for the place you call home.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
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