If given the opportunity, few of us would choose to devote a Sunday to a ladder picking twigs out of gutters. However, when your house is your most significant investment, as it is for most Americans, maintenance is essential. Home maintenance may seem to be a daunting task, especially for a new homeowner who has never seen, much alone emptied, a boiler up close.
However, it does not have to be overpowering. A house changes with the seasons, waking up in the spring and hibernating in the winter. Implement this logical trajectory all year and stay on top of the little things, and your home will operate like a well-oiled engine.
Spring Cleaning Is in Full Swing
Begin by cleaning up any leftover leaves from the winter and putting down compost in your flowerbeds and under your hedges. A slight covering of mulch will keep weeds at bay while protecting plants from drought. Restart your outdoor faucets and inspect them for damage. If you want to hire a lawn care provider to manage your property and mow your grass, the time has come to renew your yearly contract.
Trees
If you have any trees on your property, get them examined by a trained arborist, who can look for indications of disease or dead limbs and detect issues before they become severe enough to destroy a tree. A dead or dying tree presents a safety threat to you, your house, and adjacent properties, and an inexperienced eye may overlook indications of harm.
Hedgerows and Lawns
Before the summer heat, reseed your grass, filling up barren areas. Plant your perennials and water them regularly. When the lawn becomes brilliant green again, and the lilacs blossom later in the spring, it is necessary to fertilize the property, but you may not need to fertilize as much as you believe.
Inspect Your House
Walk around the exterior of the home to see if there are any cracks in the concrete. Is the driveway in excellent shape? Examine the roof for loose or damaged shingles. Examine the chimney for indications of wear. Examine the facade and substructure for cracks and evidence of water pooling.
Watch Over Your Roof
In order to maintain your roof in excellent condition, it is necessary to conduct regular inspections. Repairing your roofing materials on a seasonal or yearly basis may help you prolong the life of your roofing materials, preventing leaks that cause damage, costly repairs, and the need for a whole roof replacement.
We decided to compile a shortlist of roof care recommendations that will alert you to any issues and help you prolong the life of your roof.
Roofs are built to withstand (literally) any storm, but there will be some wear and tear. Inspect your roof shingles at least once a year and more often after severe weather. Although it’s important to remember that it’s not only wind and rain that may cause damage to your roof. As a result, as part of your regular roof inspections, be sure to check your shingles to ensure they are still correctly installed and functioning as intended. It would be best to hire professionals for roof leak repair the moment you spot a hole in your roof, especially before the colder and rainy months.
Check the Gutters
Your gutters direct the flow of rainfall away from your home, preserving the roof, siding, and foundation. Clean them at least twice a year, or more often if you have many trees around your house that hang over your roof. Check for any damage as well.
Will rainwater go down the roof and away from the house? Puddles should not be left in your yard for longer than 24 hours. You have a few choices if water remains or creeps near your foundation. First and foremost, inspect your gutters. It may be a faulty spout or a loose connection; they could also need cleaning. Second, you may grade the area surrounding your house manually using dirt; this has previously worked well for me. Third, you may have experts come out and elevate the pavement so that it drains away from your house.
The list of maintenance tasks may be daunting. Most of the things on your list should only be done once or twice a year. Making a list of what needs to be done and how often it needs to be done may help you stay on track and keep your house operating smoothly. If you need professional assistance that you are not prepared to provide, look for local vendors and service providers, read reviews, and get recommendations from trustworthy friends and family members. Your house should be a secure, pleasant environment that makes you happy. Proper maintenance will keep it that way.