How to Maintain the Exterior of The Home
To maintain the beauty of a home it is important to properly maintain the home’s exterior. Preventative maintenance of a home’s exterior will guarantee the home is kept in optimal condition. Routine maintenance may even prevent costly repairs later on down the line. What’s more is that the value of a property can be significantly increased by simply following a few easy maintenance tips. Here are the top 5 maintenance areas of a home’s exterior and ways in which to keep them functioning properly all year long.
Gutters
Routinely cleaning gutters prevents the need for repairs in the future. It is highly recommended that gutters are cleaned at least twice yearly—in the spring and in the fall. During these times leaves and other debris can quickly build up and block water from flowing down the gutters. A water clog in a gutter can lead to huge problems including major water damage to the roof and other areas of the home’s exterior. The easiest way to clean gutters is to flush them with a water hose making sure the water drains down the spout.
Exterior Cracks
As the home and its foundation settles, sometimes cracks will appear. This is because the home has settled unevenly and symptoms of this movement manifest in the form of visible cracks on the outside of the structure. Some cracks may be severe whereas others may only be cosmetic. Severe cracks are more structural in nature and may even be caused by underground water damage. If ever in doubt, contact a home exterior expert who can perform an inspection and provide advice on how to remedy the damage.
Dirty Windows and Siding
Over time, dirt, mildew and debris from the elements will accumulate on the exterior of a home. Visible dirt may be seen on windows as well as various types of siding including vinyl and wood siding. The easiest way to address exterior dirt and grime is to have the home power washed. Power washing is a simple and easy process. It can even be performed by a novice. Power washing machines come in either electric or gas form. Quite often, a simple solution of water and liquid bleach is all that’s needed for a visibly cleaner home. It is recommended that a home is power washed at least once annually for the best results. If you are looking for more info on pressure washing or want to contact an expert t do the job for you, contact a company that does pressure washing in Short Hills today. A top NJ pressure washing company will be able to help you with those annual chore.
Dryer Exhaust Vents
Dryer exhaust vents are an often overlooked element of the home’s exterior. The dryer is connected to a vent which allows hot air to escape during the drying process. As the dryer is cycled on lint is released alongside the hot air. Since many homes do laundry on a regular basis, this lint will build up over time and collect inside the vent. The escaping lint may even be visible on the exterior of the home. However, this build-up of lint must be cleaned regularly as lint is highly flammable and poses a fire hazard. It is recommended that dryer exhaust vents are cleaned by a professional at least once per year.
Moisture Damage
Water damage on the exterior of a home can be prevented in a number of ways. There are a few areas where water damage is likely to occur. Clogged gutters can lead to water flowing in directions it should not. Next, moisture damage can also result from roofs that need patching in addition to poorly maintained water wells surrounding basement windows. These areas are not typical areas that home owners think to routinely monitor. The goal with these areas is to make sure water is being taken away from the home. Water that pools or otherwise drains poorly will damage the home over time. The best way to prevent these issues is to seek the guidance of professionals who can assess the home at least once or twice per year.
For the best results, make a routine out of inspecting the home for common exterior damage areas. For example, many home owners opt to address all of these areas at least twice yearly. Major home exterior damage can be quite expensive if not caught early enough. Regular maintenance will not only save money by preventing costly fixes, but it will also provide peace of mind (a note about mold on the exterior of a home: mold should always be taken seriously. Some types of mold can be very toxic. Mold is the direct result of moisture, and it is known to grown on porous surfaces such as wood and brick. Consult with a mold professional immediately if it is visible on the home’s exterior).
Gutters
Routinely cleaning gutters prevents the need for repairs in the future. It is highly recommended that gutters are cleaned at least twice yearly—in the spring and in the fall. During these times leaves and other debris can quickly build up and block water from flowing down the gutters. A water clog in a gutter can lead to huge problems including major water damage to the roof and other areas of the home’s exterior. The easiest way to clean gutters is to flush them with a water hose making sure the water drains down the spout.
Exterior Cracks
As the home and its foundation settles, sometimes cracks will appear. This is because the home has settled unevenly and symptoms of this movement manifest in the form of visible cracks on the outside of the structure. Some cracks may be severe whereas others may only be cosmetic. Severe cracks are more structural in nature and may even be caused by underground water damage. If ever in doubt, contact a home exterior expert who can perform an inspection and provide advice on how to remedy the damage.
Dirty Windows and Siding
Over time, dirt, mildew and debris from the elements will accumulate on the exterior of a home. Visible dirt may be seen on windows as well as various types of siding including vinyl and wood siding. The easiest way to address exterior dirt and grime is to have the home power washed. Power washing is a simple and easy process. It can even be performed by a novice. Power washing machines come in either electric or gas form. Quite often, a simple solution of water and liquid bleach is all that’s needed for a visibly cleaner home. It is recommended that a home is power washed at least once annually for the best results. If you are looking for more info on pressure washing or want to contact an expert t do the job for you, contact a company that does pressure washing in Short Hills today. A top NJ pressure washing company will be able to help you with those annual chore.
Dryer Exhaust Vents
Dryer exhaust vents are an often overlooked element of the home’s exterior. The dryer is connected to a vent which allows hot air to escape during the drying process. As the dryer is cycled on lint is released alongside the hot air. Since many homes do laundry on a regular basis, this lint will build up over time and collect inside the vent. The escaping lint may even be visible on the exterior of the home. However, this build-up of lint must be cleaned regularly as lint is highly flammable and poses a fire hazard. It is recommended that dryer exhaust vents are cleaned by a professional at least once per year.
Moisture Damage
Water damage on the exterior of a home can be prevented in a number of ways. There are a few areas where water damage is likely to occur. Clogged gutters can lead to water flowing in directions it should not. Next, moisture damage can also result from roofs that need patching in addition to poorly maintained water wells surrounding basement windows. These areas are not typical areas that home owners think to routinely monitor. The goal with these areas is to make sure water is being taken away from the home. Water that pools or otherwise drains poorly will damage the home over time. The best way to prevent these issues is to seek the guidance of professionals who can assess the home at least once or twice per year.
For the best results, make a routine out of inspecting the home for common exterior damage areas. For example, many home owners opt to address all of these areas at least twice yearly. Major home exterior damage can be quite expensive if not caught early enough. Regular maintenance will not only save money by preventing costly fixes, but it will also provide peace of mind (a note about mold on the exterior of a home: mold should always be taken seriously. Some types of mold can be very toxic. Mold is the direct result of moisture, and it is known to grown on porous surfaces such as wood and brick. Consult with a mold professional immediately if it is visible on the home’s exterior).