Home exterior maintenance goes beyond just making it look good from the street; it’s about taking on the weather and winning. From the relentless sun beating down on your siding to the incessant rain testing your gutters’ resolve, every season throws its unique challenges at homeowners. Yet, with a few savvy moves and proactive care, maintaining the exterior of your home can be more manageable than you think. This guide walks you through simple yet effective strategies for preserving your dwelling’s outer charm and integrity – because let’s face it, neglect is costly.
Tip 1 – Inspect Your Home’s Exterior for Damage
Are you a new homeowner? Owning a home is an exciting accomplishment and a valuable investment — one you likely want to take good care of. But with all the time and know-how that home maintenance requires, it can seem daunting.
We’ve whipped up a list of outdoor home care tips designed with new homeowners in mind, to help make the whole process a tad easier to handle.
Check Roof for Missing or Damaged Shingles
Walk the perimeter of your new home quarterly and keep your eyes open for any areas that might need attention. A good way to stay on schedule is to do an exterior home inspection at the turn of each season.
As you walk around, check the foundation of your home for cracks, the exterior walls for damage or staining and the roof for missing shingles. You may be surprised at how easy and helpful it is to catch a problem before it becomes a major issue.
Examine Siding for Cracks or Holes
Your home’s exterior paint adds more than curb appeal — it also serves as a moisture barrier. Keeping your paint in good shape can help keep your home dry.
If you spot chipping or peeling, give the paint a touchup as soon as possible.
Look for Signs of Wood Rot
If your new home has wood siding, look it over for signs of discoloration or swelling. Paint can camouflage wood rot, so use a screwdriver to test the wood’s integrity.
If it isn’t firm and hard, you may have a wood rot problem. Wood rot can be treated if the damage isn’t too extensive. Repair typically includes drying the wood and treating it with a wood preservative.
Inspect Foundation for Cracks
Pests use cracks, crevices and gaps in your home’s exterior to nest and gain entry to your house. If you notice any of these areas, inspect them for signs of a pest infestation and remove what you can.
Signs may include nests, droppings, dead bugs or rodents or the pests themselves. Seal up or repair the pests’ entryway to prevent them from returning. You can also use a reliable pest control company to keep your new home pest-free.
Tip 2 – Clean and Maintain Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters play a crucial role in steering clear rainwater away from your home, ensuring that your roof, siding, and foundation stay dry and damage-free. When gutters become clogged with leaves and other debris, they can’t properly divert water away from your home.
Instead, rainwater will spill over the sides of your gutters and may cause:
- Foundation damage
- Structural problems
- Mold and mildew
- Basement flooding
Remove Debris from Gutters
Use a ladder to clear your gutters of debris at least twice a year (or more often, depending on how many trees are near your home). Now’s also the perfect moment to check that your gutters are up and running smoothly.
Alternatively, consider hiring a gutter cleaning service to manage your gutters for you.
Flush Gutters with Water
After removing the bulk of the debris, use a garden hose to flush the gutters and downspouts. This will remove any remaining debris and help you spot any leaks.
If you find any leaks, seal them with gutter sealant or replace the damaged section.
Check Downspouts for Clogs
Leaves and other bits can jam up your downspouts, blocking the smooth flow of water. Use a plumber’s snake or a high-pressure nozzle on your hose to remove any clogs.
If the clog is stubborn, you may need to disassemble the downspout to remove it.
Ensure Proper Drainage Away from Home
Make sure your downspouts are directing water at least 5 feet away from your home’s foundation. If they’re not, add downspout extensions to carry the water further away.
You can also use splash blocks or underground drainage pipes to direct water away from your home.
Tip 3 – Wash and Clean the Exterior of Your Home
You should wash the exterior of your home one to two times per year. Power washing can remove months or even years of dirt and grime from your siding, protect it from mold and mildew and give it a fresh, clean appearance.
Use Pressure Washer or Garden Hose
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with how to use your power washer safely, start by washing from the highest point you can reach, moving the hose from side to side and working your way down the house.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can use a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment. Just be sure to use a gentle setting to avoid damaging your siding.
Mix Mild Detergent and Water
For tougher stains, mix a mild detergent with water in a bucket. Apply the mixture to the stain with a soft-bristled brush, then rinse it off with your hose.
Be sure to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage your siding.
Scrub Stubborn Stains
For really stubborn stains, you may need to use a little elbow grease. Apply your detergent mixture to the stain and scrub it with a brush until it starts to fade.
Rinse the area well with your hose when you’re finished.
Rinse Thoroughly
Once you’ve finished washing your home’s exterior, give it a thorough rinse with your hose to remove any remaining soap residue. Start at the top and work your way down, just as you did when washing.
Allow your siding to air dry completely before applying any paint or sealant.
Tip 4 – Maintain and Repair Exterior Paint and Siding
Your home’s exterior paint and siding take a beating from the elements. Over time, paint can chip and peel, and siding can become cracked or damaged. To ensure your home always looks its absolute best, make it a habit to give your exterior paint and siding the TLC they deserve with regular upkeep and fixes.
Scrape and Sand Peeling Paint
If you have any peeling or chipping paint, use a paint scraper or wire brush to remove it. Then, use sandpaper to smooth out the edges of the remaining paint.
If the paint is in really bad shape, you may need to use a power sander to remove it completely.
Apply Fresh Coat of Paint
Once you’ve prepped the surface, it’s time to apply a fresh coat of paint. Choose a high-quality exterior paint that’s designed to withstand the elements.
Apply the paint with a brush, roller, or sprayer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to use painter’s tape to protect any areas you don’t want to paint, such as windows and doors.
Repair or Replace Damaged Siding
If your siding is cracked, holes, or otherwise damaged, it will need to be repaired or replaced. For small cracks and holes, you can use a siding repair kit.
For more extensive damage, you may need to replace the damaged pieces of siding. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional siding contractor.
Caulk Gaps and Cracks
To prevent water and pests from getting into your home, seal any gaps or cracks in your siding with caulk. Use a caulk gun to apply the caulk, then smooth it out with your finger.
Be sure to choose a caulk that’s designed for exterior use and that matches the color of your siding.
Tip 5 – Trim Overgrown Landscaping and Maintain Yard
Overgrown landscaping can make your home look unkempt and can even damage your siding or foundation. To keep your yard looking its best, regularly trim overgrown trees, shrubs, and other plants.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Use pruning shears to trim back any branches that are touching your home or that are growing out of control. Be sure to make clean cuts at a 45-degree angle to encourage healthy growth.
If you have large trees near your home, you may need to hire a professional tree service to trim them back.
Mow Lawn Regularly
Mow your lawn on a regular basis to keep it looking neat and tidy. The frequency will depend on the type of grass you have and the time of year.
In general, you should mow your lawn when it reaches about 3 inches in height. Be sure to use a sharp blade to avoid damaging the grass.
Remove Weeds and Debris
Letting weeds and debris take over can really mess up the look of your yard, not to mention it’s like rolling out the welcome mat for pests. To keep your yard looking its best, regularly remove any weeds, leaves, sticks, and other debris.
You can do this by hand or with a rake, hoe, or other gardening tool.
Edge Sidewalks and Driveways
Use an edger or trimmer to create a clean, crisp edge along your sidewalks and driveway. Doing this will not only give your yard that well-kept vibe but also keep those pesky grass and weeds from taking over these spaces.
Be sure to wear safety glasses and gloves when using an edger or trimmer.
Tip 6 – Seal and Repair Concrete Surfaces
Over time, driveways, sidewalks, and patios made of concrete might show signs of wear like cracks or other types of damage. To keep those surfaces sparkling and prevent any further wear and tear, it’s a smart move to stick to a regular sealing and repair routine.
Clean Concrete Thoroughly
Before you can seal or repair your concrete, you need to clean it thoroughly. Use a pressure washer or a stiff brush and detergent to remove any dirt, grime, or stains.
If you have oil stains, you may need to use a degreaser or other specialized cleaner.
Fill Cracks with Concrete Filler
For small cracks, you can use a concrete filler or caulk. Simply clean out the crack, then apply the filler according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
For larger cracks, you may need to use a concrete patching compound. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Apply Concrete Sealer
Once your concrete is clean and repaired, you can apply a sealer to protect it from future damage. With so many concrete sealers on the market, make sure you pick one that fits what you’re looking for perfectly.
Apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using a brush, roller, or sprayer.
Maintain Sealed Surface
To keep your sealed concrete looking its best, you’ll need to maintain it on a regular basis. This may include sweeping, hosing off dirt and debris, and reapplying the sealer every few years.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your specific type of sealer.
Tip 7 – Perform Regular Exterior Maintenance Tasks
In addition to the larger tasks like cleaning and repairing your home’s exterior, there are also many smaller maintenance tasks that you should perform on a regular basis. By staying on top of these tasks, you can prevent bigger problems from developing down the road.
Create Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
To make sure you’re on top of every maintenance task that needs doing, whip up a checklist for each season. So, this might mean doing things like swapping out your HVAC filters, keeping those gutters clean, and giving your roof a good once-over.
Be sure to tailor your checklist to your specific home and climate.
Schedule Regular Inspections
In addition to performing your own inspections and maintenance tasks, it’s also a good idea to schedule regular professional inspections. This can include things like an annual HVAC tune-up, a chimney inspection, and a termite inspection.
Getting a pro to check things out can be a real lifesaver, spotting snags before they balloon into wallet-draining nightmares.
Address Issues Promptly
If you do find any issues during your inspections or maintenance tasks, be sure to address them promptly. Ignoring small problems can often lead to much larger, more costly problems down the road.
If you’re not comfortable addressing the issue yourself, don’t hesitate to call in a professional.
Keep Records of Maintenance
Finally, be sure to keep good records of all the maintenance and repairs you perform on your home. This can include things like receipts, warranties, and before-and-after photos.
Having good records can come in handy if you ever need to file an insurance claim or sell your home.
Home Exterior Maintenance FAQs
How do you maintain the outside of a house?
Regular cleaning, painting touch-ups, and checking for damages keep your house looking sharp. Don’t forget the gutters.
What kind of maintenance is needed for the exterior walls of your house?
Cleaning, repainting when necessary, and fixing any cracks or peeling areas will do wonders for those walls.
What is regular maintenance on a home?
This includes cleaning gutters, inspecting roofs and foundations for damage, sealing windows, and maintaining yard appeal.
What is external maintenance?
It’s all about keeping the outside parts in tip-top shape – think painting, repairing sidings, lawn care, and more.
Conclusion
In wrapping up our journey into home exterior maintenance, remember that caring for the outside of our homes is not merely an aesthetic endeavor but a necessary one. It shields us from nature’s mood swings while boosting our pride in where we live.
So next time you gaze out over your domain (coffee in hand), take pride not just in its beauty but also in its resilience – courtesy of some well-placed TLC based on what we’ve covered today. If you’re needing some pros for your home exterior maintenance, book them HERE.
