Your home is your cosy retreat, where all the good stuff happens, and memories are made. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to forget about the outside. Ignoring the upkeep of your exterior may lead to expensive repairs and can be unsafe for you and your family.
By prioritising the maintenance of your home's exterior, you're not only keeping it in good shape, you're also making sure it stays your sanctuary for years to come.
We've got a handy guide ready for you to kickstart your deep clean journey, covering everything from peeking at your roof for leaks to giving your home's foundation a once-over.
Exterior maintenance
Don't forget to pay attention to your house's exterior. Clean the gutters, remove any debris from the roof, and make sure all your downpipes are clear. Tower has a great blog available, guiding you on how to clean your gutters.
Your roof
Inspect your roof for any signs of leaks or water damage. The most common causes of roof leaks are:
- eroded sealant
- clogged gutters
- damaged flashing
- broken or dislodged roof tiles
- rust or corrosion
- chimney erosion¹.
Check all these things, and if you find anything unruly, get it looked at and fixed immediately to prevent further damage to your home.
Home foundation
Take a look at your house foundation for any cracks. Your home's foundation helps keep it in place in a disaster, such as an earthquake. Regularly inspecting your foundation will help find damage early so you can address it before it becomes a bigger, and possibly more expensive, problem.
Walkways and driveways
You should also be checking your walkways and driveways for any signs of cracks and holes that can be caused by poor-quality concrete, tree roots, and overloading. These can be tripping hazards, and a small hole can turn into a complete replacement².
Minor repairs can be done easily by purchasing concrete or asphalt from your local hardware store, or you can contact a professional if you're not sure and they can give you guidance.
Trees and plants
Regularly trimming and pruning plants or trees that are close to your house will reduce the risk that they will become overgrown and make their way into your roof and gutter. They will also become less of a fire hazard, and in the event of a storm, they will be less likely to cause significant damage to your home.
Removing dead or diseased branches and clearing away fallen leaves are two very easy steps you can take to maintain your landscape and avoid any damage to your home³.
By investing time and effort into giving the outside of your home a little TLC, you'll be keeping it in tip-top shape and ensure it stays safe and sturdy for you to enjoy.
Sources
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