The average American homeowner spends $2,335 per year on home maintenance. Some of that money goes toward the upkeep of your HVAC system, plumbing, and appliances. But it’s often exterior maintenance that requires the most time, attention, and expense.
Not only does maintaining the exterior of your house improve its curb appeal, but it also keeps your home safe against the elements. Failing to keep up with all-important outdoor maintenance can worsen interior issues such as leaks, mold, and drafts.
Keep reading to learn our top exterior maintenance tips!
1. Create a Checklist
Trying to remember which home maintenance tasks you have to do and when is probably the hardest task of all.
Making a list of what needs doing will soon solve this problem. You can then check items off as you go and write the date you complete them. This way, you’ll know when you next have to complete certain maintenance as well as which tasks you haven’t done yet.
2. A Clean Exterior Is Easier to Check
Outdoor maintenance should always begin with a thorough cleaning. Cleaning exposes any gaps, damage, mold, and other issues, making them easier to spot and deal with.
Cleaning the outside of your windows or pressure washing your siding aren’t too difficult to DIY. But cleaning and checking your gutters has to be one of the most thankless tasks of all. When you view these gutter services, though, it’s also clear how important your gutters are to the smooth functioning of your home.
3. Get an Annual Roof Inspection
Your roof is your home’s crowning glory. It’s also your first line of defense against adverse weather conditions.
Regularly checking your roof for damaged shingles, algae, and other potential problems is a smart move. But we’d also recommend hiring a roof inspector to check out the roof and attic for you once a year. Getting an expert opinion can set your mind at ease and make you aware of any issues that you’d overlooked.
4. Make Use of Leftover Paint
Paint has a shelf life of about two years so make sure to clean, seal, and store any that’s left. You can then make good use of any leftover exterior paint to touch up your mailbox post, fence, door, and window frames.
Remember, the paint on your exterior offers extra protection against the elements. This means that keeping everything looking fresh isn’t only about improving aesthetics.
5. Prioritize Pest Prevention
A lot of exterior home maintenance revolves around stopping pests from entering your home. But pest prevention calls for a proactive approach. This means caulking gaps around your window and door frames, clearing up your yard, checking vents, and sealing brickwork.
It might sound like a lot of work but it’s much easier than dealing with a pest control problem later down the line.
Top Exterior Maintenance Tips
Exterior maintenance can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a large house and yard to manage.
But with these tips to guide you, it should now be a lot easier to know what you need to do and when to keep your home in great shape.
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