Living in the Pacific Northwest you will want to take advantage of breaks in the weather and get outside to protect the investment in your home.
Performing an annual Home Maintenance Check and addressing any necessary repairs may prevent costly major damage and save money in the long run. By maintaining the exterior of your home, you may also increase its value, Curb appeal can add up to 10 percent.
Home warranties and home insurance do not generally cover breakdowns caused by a lack of maintenance. Maintaining your home in order to keep it in good condition may extend the lifespan of the materials used to build it.
Please use the list below when performing your Home Maintenance Check or if you prefer to hire a professional to inspect and repair what needs to be accomplished in order to keep your investment in good condition.
EXTERIOR HOUSE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST:
- Wash outside windows and siding.
• Take off storm windows and screens and wash them.
• Spray siding with a hose or a gentle pressure wash
- Clean gutters and downspouts
• Clean debris and leaves from gutters, run hose water to check for leaks, and repair as necessary
- Pump Septic tank (if you have one)
- Inspect the roof and chimney for cracks or leaks
• Check and repair missing or loose shingles, fascia, and soffits.
• Replace chimney grout showing cracks or fractures.
• Schedule an inspection and cleaning by a professional chimney sweep.
- Reseal or stain Decks and Fences and hammer down raised nails
• Refresh the waterproofing every year or two.
- Check exterior siding and paint
• Touch up paint in areas where moisture, wind, sunlight or trees have caused deterioration - Inspect dryer damper and bathroom vents
• Check exterior dryer vent to ensure it freely opens.
• Remove lint and debris with a long-handled brush.
- Repair damage to screen doors and windows
- Refresh caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors, and vents
- Clean around the AC, replace filters, clean ducts, and vents, and check Coolant levels
- Fix cracks in concrete walkways, patios, and driveways
• Scrub clean and seal with an epoxy crack sealer.
- Spray for Mosquitos and other bugs
• Eliminate standing water and clean up debris
• Garden with mosquito repellant plants such as Rosemary, lemongrass, sage, basil
- Control Rodents and pests
• Maintain good hygiene outside your house and keep garbage and pet food in airtight containers.
• Replace leaking pipes and seal cracks and openings.
• Set traps and grow peppermint or rub peppermint oil on cotton balls around your house.
- Apply pre-emergent and fertilizer to the lawn
- Mulch flower beds and rake mulch and dirt away from footings of house to prevent moisture and insects from deteriorating the siding
Although you may be able to accomplish some repairs and ongoing maintenance around your home, it may be wise to hire a professional maintenance service to address some of the more complex issues.
Yes, it will be at some cost but in the long run, it may save you from having major damage repairs and preserve your home investment.
Happy Spring
Leanne Campbell
Author: Leanne Campbell (Campbell Partners LLC) a proud homeowner in the Port Ludlow Community. I personally have experienced years ago as a younger homeowner the cost of not doing annual home maintenance. It’s not something we are taught in school. If you are in need of more information or a referral to a local home maintenance service please contact me at leannejntt@gmail.com and I will provide you with some resources.
Image by Monika Schröder from Pixabay
