As the summer sun shines and the days get longer, many of us start longing to spend more time outdoors. I understand that you are dying to fire up the grill and dust off the patio furniture. But before you do so, it’s important to take a look outside of your home.
The scorching summer can cause damage to your paint, siding, and roof. The sudden heavy rain, on the other hand, can reveal any weaknesses in your home’s defenses against the elements. Your house exterior becomes vulnerable to different damages just when it’s time for summer to arrive. So, it’s crucial to stay prepared for summer.
By taking some proactive steps to maintain your home, you can make sure it stays looking great and holds up well throughout the season.
In this article, we’ll share six essential tips for keeping your home’s exterior in top shape.
1. Inspecting and Cleaning Gutters
During the winter, leaves, debris, and even nests from pests can block your gutters, especially as they seek shelter from the cold.
When summer comes around, these clogged places in your house can cause water to overflow. The result? Severe damage to the foundation of your home. Architectural Digest suggests that it’s a good idea to inspect and clean your gutters regularly, ideally twice a year.
If you live in a heavily treed area or notice frequent clogging, this might be more important and done frequently.
To get your gutters ready for summer, check for any cracks, sagging, or loose fasteners to make sure they’re in good shape. Once you’ve looked at the outside, it’s time to clean them out. Grab a sturdy ladder.
2. Checking and Repairing Roof Shingles
You don’t want your home to be exposed to the excessive heat of the summer and other damages that happen to your home due to heat and rain. Inspect your home for roof damages, especially on the shingles. It’s a vital means to prevent potential issues. Exposure to different types of elements can crack, curl, or loosen shingles, making your home susceptible to leaks and structural problems over time.
But how should you go about doing this? Well, start by trying to give your home a new look. Check for shingles that are missing or loose. Look for areas where the roof meets the fascia board. You must try to fix these junctures as they are prone to water damage.
Now, if you are planning to fix this yourself, I suggest using a ladder to access the ladder. But, if the damage to the roof is too much, we would suggest getting help from professional roofing assistants.
Now, before you jump onto the roof, it’s wise to take a look at the fascia board and check if there is any deterioration or rot. It is the board that runs along the edge of your roof, where the gutters attach. If the fascia board is compromised, it can’t properly support the weight of your gutters and could lead to water infiltration issues.
Belco Forest Products highlights the importance of selecting fascia boards that match the siding and trim materials used elsewhere in the home for a cohesive look.
It’s wise to resort to durable and low-maintenance materials when choosing your roof’ fiasco board. This way, you will ensure that the fascia boards not only withstand the elements but also contribute to the property’s overall aesthetic appeal.
3. Pressure Washing Exterior Surfaces
The best way to get rid of unnecessary dirt, elements, and debris is a technique called pressure washing. You use a pressured water current to clean off extra dirt from your house’s exterior. When summer arrives, your home’s exterior starts gathering dirt, grime, and mildew on different surfaces of the home. You get dirt and debris on the siding, decks, and driveways.
These dirt are very stubborn and hard to get rid of. That’s why you want the pressure washing technique. It helps remove stubborn stains and mold from wood, vinyl, concrete, and brick surfaces. Pressure washing not only cleans your home exterior but also boosts your house’s curb appeal. In addition, the new wash prevents any long-term damage the house might get due to dirt accumulation.
Also, Facts.net suggests that algae, moss, and similar contaminants can make different surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and decks slippery. When these places are slippery, you are at risk of slipping or falling on the surface, causing life-threatening damage.
Pressure washing efficiently eliminates these hazards, enhancing safety for your family, guests, or customers by maintaining clean outdoor areas. Prioritizing cleanliness and safety is crucial for the well-being and enjoyment of all.
Before diving into pressure washing, select the appropriate equipment and cleaning solutions for the specific surfaces. Follow safety precautions and avoid using excessive pressure, which can damage delicate materials.
4. Painting and Sealing Exterior Woodwork
Wooden parts like decks, fences, and edges give a nice feel to a house. But sun, water, and weather can hurt wood, making it look old and weak. It’s good to take care of wood in the summer and give it color and protection with paint and sealant.
First, look closely at all the wood to find any damage like paint coming off, rough spots, or color changes. Fix any problems by smoothing, filling cracks, and changing parts that are broken. After that, put on good paint or stain to keep the wood safe.
A clear sealant or stuff to keep wood safe from water and mold is good, too. It makes the wood last longer.
5. Inspecting and Maintaining Siding
Your house’s outside walls protect it from the weather and make it look nice. Since summer is coming, it’s important to check if the walls are damaged and to do things to keep them nice.
First, look closely at the walls, especially where they meet the windows, doors, and edges, to see if water can get through. See if there are any cracks, bending, loose parts, or spots that are discolored or have mold. Fixing these problems soon can prevent bigger damage and costs.
After finding the problem spots, do what’s needed to fix or change the broken walls. This might mean filling cracks, putting back loose parts, or getting new parts for the really broken ones. Also, think about cleaning the walls to get rid of dirt, junk, and mold, which can make them look bad and not last as long.
6. Landscaping and Vegetation Management
Landscaping and vegetation management lets you do two things at the same time – you invite the lush green of beautiful plants, organize them, and keep the house exterior clean. Vegetation Management not only helps with decorating your lawn and house garden, but it also gives hedges and overgrown bushes less room to spread dirt. If you are thinking of taking the exterior management and cleaning duties into your own hands, don’t forget your garden.
But how should you go about it? The best way to start is by identifying areas where the vegetation has overgrown and is getting in the way of your home’s utility lines and causing potential risks. You can build a line or perimeter around the house and start cutting down the overgrown hedges. This way, you will be mitigating potential risks that may harm your home and even you.
Once you are done cutting and trimming the overgrown green, it’s time to water what you want to keep. Water and fertilize your plants and vegetation in a timely manner to keep them vibrant, green, and blooming. It’s best to go for drought-resistant and native plants that conserve lots of water, minimizing the need for maintenance. Such treatment not only declutters your home’s exterior but also makes it more welcoming.
The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives says planting trees around your house helps cool down the house in the summer. You have a natural way of cooling your house while also saving money on electricity bills.
Studies have found that trees, when planted around your house, can reduce temperature by 9 degrees. If you are spending a big amount on air conditioning bills in the summer, this is something you can consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What signs indicate my home’s exterior needs maintenance?
Always keep yourself ready for warning signs such as cracked caulking, peeling paint, clogged gutters, or missing roof shingles. If your house exterior shows signs like water damage, higher utility bills, or pests infiltrating, it’s crucial to address them instantly to avoid escalation.
Can I tackle exterior maintenance tasks myself, or should I hire a professional?
For simple tasks like cleaning gutters or washing siding, with some research and the right tools, you can likely DIY. For tasks involving heights, electrical work, or specialized equipment, hiring a professional ensures safety and superior outcomes.
How can I prioritize which exterior maintenance tasks to focus on during the summer?
When planning your summer exterior maintenance roadmap, focus on tasks that prevent water damage first. Check and clean gutters to avoid foundation issues. Inspect your house’s roof shingles for leaks and safeguard your interior by taking necessary actions. Defer cosmetic fixes like painting until cooler weather.
Embrace the Season with Confidence
Summer is here, and you are never too late to keep the house exterior clean. Try out the six expert tips provided in this article to maintain and keep your house exterior clean. If you follow these tips, you will have your house looking clean and fresh from top to bottom in no time. Yes, certain things like fixing the roof shingles and or fixing the sealing of the exterior woodwork take time. But, if you get help from experts and have the budget for it, you will have a house that looks resilient and appealing throughout the summer months.
It’s time to say goodbye to winter and embrace summer with confidence. The tips provided in this article keep your home clean, safe, and presentable throughout the summer. You are safe from the scorching heat of the sun and also keep the value of your house attractive and intact. So, did this article help? Share your feedback in the comment section.
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