Keeping Your Home’s Exterior in Top Condition

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Although you might be thinking of putting your feet up in front of the fire with a nice cup of hot chocolate, and perhaps even a cookie, right now – there are things that need to be done!

 

If you’re like most people, you let your exterior maintenance slide in the fall and winter months when the weather is less agreeable, and this is a really bad idea, not only because your home will start to look less appealing. More importantly, abandoning your chores could cause a deterioration in the place, and even put your home and your family at risk.

 

With that in mind, here some essential pieces of maintenance you need to keep on top of if you want to keep your home’s exterior in top condition:

 

Cleaning the Vents

 

If your dryer vent gets clogged up with lint and other debris, it could make your dryer much less efficient, thus costing your more to run. More Importantly, it could set alight! The easiest way to keep the vent clear and in good condition is to vacuum it at least once every three months, but if you find that it has a significant blockage, calling in a professional is probably a good idea.

 

Patch Up Your Deck

 

If you want your home’s exterior to be presentable. Not only do you need to keep on top of washing the deck, even in the fall and winter, but you should also conduct regular inspections, and should you notice loose or rotting boards, or cracks in the structure, you’ll need to repair, replace and then apply a waterproof coating to the affected area.

Inspect the Roof

 

If you don’t want to have to call out a home roofing contractor this winter because your roof is leaking and the cold weather is causing damp to form inside and out, you need to get up there and inspect your roof. If even one shingle is loose or broken, it won’t cost you much to have them replaced, and actually, it’ll save you from the much bigger expense of a leaking or caved in roof. It’ll keep your home looking fabulous, from the outside at least, too.

 

Window Wells and Gutters Should be Cleaned

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Fall is the time of falling leaves, which means that it is more important now than ever, that you take the time to clean out your window wells and gutters. If you don’t do this, then a visit from a foundation repair contractor could well be in future because rainwater that can’t properly drain can cause so many problems. If you’ve noticed water pooling where it never used to on your property, it’s even more important that you give those wells and gutters some attention.

 

Apply Caulking to Cracks

 

Now is the perfect time to check for any gaps around your windows. The easiest way to do this is to go around seeing if you can feel a breeze. If you can, chances are you have a crack, and you’ll need to apply caulking to it to keep cold weather and rain where it belongs – outside – and to ensure that your home’s exterior continues to be in good condition.

 

Looking after your home’s exterior, as is evident, helps you to take care of the property as a whole, so even if it is cold, windy and raining outside, as long as it’s safe, don’t put off those outdoor maintenance tasks!

 

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