Where do you start when it’s time to inspect your home? Quality siding, high-performance windows, and a secure roof can seal your home from the elements and protect it from mold and moisture issues—when your siding, roof and windows are in good repair. Avoid finding out the hard way that you should have paid attention to your home exterior sooner.
Money-Saving Preventative Maintenance
Your home exterior creates an ongoing first impression for your guests and protects your largest investment, so take time for preventative home maintenance and save money in the long run. Conduct your own inspection of your home exterior each spring.
Here are some preventative maintenance items to check:
1. The condition of your roof—
Most roofs last between 13 and 18 years. Normal wear and tear make it important to replace a roof in a timely fashion. Your roof is vital to protecting your home’s structural integrity, and it’s important to recognize when it needs to be repaired or replaced. Prevent interior water leaks and the risk of mold and mildew that result by inspecting your roof each spring. Here’s what to look for:
a. Uncover the possibility of a leaky roof. From inside your home, check the top floor of your home interior’s ceiling for water spots or any indication of mold.
b. Check the condition of your roof from the ground (with binoculars). Inspect your roof carefully to see if your shingles are cracked or damaged. Look for any missing shingles and have them replaced. Look carefully for signs of wind, hail, or other storm damage. Make sure your roof isn’t warped or sagging.
2. The condition of your siding—
Whether your siding is stucco, stone, fiber cement, or vinyl, it needs to be inspected and cleaned each year.
a. Uncover the possibility of moisture penetration. Check if your siding shows signs of moisture damage like rot, mold, or mildew.
b. Check for damaged siding. Inspect your siding to see if any areas of it are warped, chipped, or dented.
c. Inspect your siding’s paint. Check your siding’s paint color to verify if it has faded or if it is still maintaining its true color.
d. Rule out the possibility of termite or pest damage. Look carefully at your siding for any signs of pest damage. If you find indications of pest activity, call professionals to treat the damage promptly.
3. The condition of your windows—
Windows protect your home from the elements while creating beautiful spaces for natural light to be enjoyed inside.
a. Check your windows from the inside and the outside. Inspect window caulking to verify it is still intact. If the caulking shows signs of shrinking, it could create a costly draft in your home. Heating and air conditioning bills increase due to inadequate insulation, insufficiently fitting windows, or windows with faulty caulking.
b. Look for clouded windows. It’s difficult to enjoy refreshing natural light that comes teeming through windows if your windows are clouded up.
c. Decide if your windows need to be replaced or repaired. Are your windows old, broken, or damaged? Perhaps it’s time for an energy-efficient window upgrade. If your window frames are warped or rotten, they should be replaced. Does your home feel drafty even when the windows are closed? Do you find it difficult to open and close your windows, or do they get stuck in one place? These are all signs it may be time to replace them.
4. The condition of your gutters—
Take a look at your gutters and clean them for optimal performance.
a. Inspect your gutters or have a professional inspect them. Check your gutters to remove debris, prevent leaks, and avoid moisture damage in your home.
b. Hire a professional to clean your gutters. Your gutters should be cleaned in order to prevent damage so they can easily drain the water away from your home.
5. The condition of your deck and porch—
Beautiful backyard porches and decks should be checked annually for needed repair or replacement.
a. Check your deck for damage from the elements. Look to see if your deck is showing signs of wood rot or other damage due to harsh weather.
b. Reseal your deck and porch when needed. Has your porch or backyard deck received water-resistant treatments in order to protect and lengthen its lifespan? These treatments can cause your deck or porch to withstand the elements while maintaining their beauty.
6. The condition of your exterior doors—
The entry doors to your home provide protection from intruders and the elements. Check them annually for the following:
a. Check to see if it’s time for a new front or back door. Does your home’s interior feel drafty, indicating it may be time to install a more insulated door that fits securely into place?
b. Check to see if your current door fits properly. Have your home heating or air-conditioning bills increased due to poorly insulated or scantily fitting doors?
c. What type of door do you currently have? Doors are made of steel, wood, or fiberglass. Do you recognize that hollow doors are easy for intruders to penetrate, leaving you and your family at a greater risk? Consider the added safety of today’s modern doors.
d. If it’s time for a new door, get a safe one. For your protection, get a solid-core or metal-clad exterior door with the latest locking mechanisms.
A Siding Company You Can Trust
Your home exterior is a reflection of you, so take good care of it by following the above. Now is the perfect time to address your siding needs with beautiful solutions. Call Love Your Stucco to get a free consultation.
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