Maintaining Your Home's Exterior

We understand that many homeowners simply cannot afford improvements and upgrades for their home during these challenging times. As a result, it places an even greater importance on maintaining what is in place. This definitely includes your home’s exterior.

Think of it like an older car needing an oil change and basic maintenance more often than a newer model does. In the long run, it costs you much less to do regular preventative maintenance on your car. You would rather schedule an appointment and pay a mechanic for the basics than for engine damage caused from running out of oil.

It’s the same theory on keeping up with what is outside your home. There is more to it than mowing the lawn and sweeping the driveway.

Let’s start at the top. For an older home, consider having your roof checked twice per year. A roof replacement typically costs several thousand dollars, depending upon the size and shape. A storm or high winds could cause minor damage which only gets worse. It could be the cause of a leak which starts small and could impact the siding or insulation. Think of having an experienced professional checking your roof during the fall and spring as its oil change. It could save or delay a cost of thousands of dollars.

The same goes for the gutters. If leaves, debris, birds, or animals wind up inside even one portion of one gutter, it could impact your entire house. It could back up water onto your roof and/or cause a minor flood below. Fixing a problem at that stage often results in the cost and labor for replacing an entire gutter. That is in addition to possible additional damage. You want to be sure that all gutters are clear of any debris, especially before winter is coming.

Many homes have exterior vents, while some have a chimney or skylights. For the same reasons, these should be checked regularly. It is peace of mind instead of replacement costs.

Most owners of older homes tend to forget about the sewer lines. That is quite understandable, since we don’t see them. Consequently, debris and waste could accumulate and eventually cause clogging and eventual damage.

A new service known as “Sewer Televising” is now part of a maintenance plan. This involves running a small camera through the sewer drain and being able to literally show the results to the homeowner. Because of this, if work needs to be performed, the homeowner has proof. Ideally, any potential damage can be identified before major repairs or replacement expenses are necessary.

If your home has experienced a particularly rainy (or snowy) period, it becomes even more important to hire a professional. Finding potential damage ahead of time likely saves you thousands of dollars. A well maintained home helps with your enjoyment of it, while helping in the event of wanting to sell. It starts with the exterior.