Summer! Time for exterior maintenance on your home.

Now that the weather has warmed up and the days have lengthened, it is the perfect time to address the outdoor maintenance of your home.  Homeowners don’t love the list of summer chores, but keeping an eye on the exterior of your home is essential if you want to avoid bigger maintenance issues down the road.  Here are the basics:

• Clean gutters – Gutters that are overflowing or leaking can lead to water penetration in your home or exterior rotting of fascia and soffit areas.  If water is creating a pool at the foundation of your home due to runoff from full gutters you may see basement leaks and even mold growth as a result.  Clean them out, or hire someone to do this for you, and make sure you check the condition of the gutters as you go around the home.

• Paint – If you live in a painted (or stained) wood-sided home this is not a small project.  Painting or staining your home is not just a way for it to look spruced up but is a safeguard against moisture which can damage the wood and leave it vulnerable to pests. Homes that have lower maintenance siding (vinyl, aluminum, etc.) may still have wood features – check your window and door trim or porches for peeling paint and address those areas (caulk around the edges of these as well if needed).  Don’t forget to scrape the old paint first, and watch the weather – make sure the wood is dry when you paint or apply stain.

• Seal wood decks – Just like the exterior painting, keeping the wood of your deck maintained will extend its useful life.  Make sure you clean the deck first and allow it to dry completely before staining or painting.  If there are any boards that look to be rotting or splintered, get them replaced.  In some cases, boards that are starting to fray can be flipped over and reinstalled – the underside may still be in very good condition.

• Mulch – Mulching gives your landscaping a finished look.  Laying mulch on garden beds or around trees helps to both smother weeds and hold moisture in the soil.  There are many materials – organic and inorganic – that can be used to this purpose.  We have many local gardening and landscaping companies that can answer your questions regarding what would be best for your yard.

• Pest Control – Look around the outside of your home for places that might be a breeding ground or shelter for pests. Keep waste out of your yard and check under stairs and decks for items that may have piled up.  Firewood should be stacked away from the side of the home, on a rack if possible, and kept dry with a tarp or other covering.  Trim or relocate bushes and plants that are touching the siding or foundation of the home, and don’t forget those that are growing around or under decks or stairs.  Drain dog dishes, bird baths, wading pools, etc. regularly to discourage mosquitoes.

• Home improvements - If your maintenance to-do list has been addressed and you are considering a more substantial exterior home improvement project for the summer, you may be wondering which projects would give you the most return on your investment (ROI).  According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, the following exterior projects offer the highest ROI: siding replacement, window replacement, garage door replacement, adding a deck, or (the #1 ROI project) a new steel entry door.

Keeping your home maintained will protect the investment you have made in it.  Someday, when you sell your home, the fact that it has been well maintained will strengthen its position in the market.  Curious as to what projects may be a worthwhile investment for you to enjoy now but still see some return in value when you sell your home in the future?  Contact your REALTOR of choice and have them out for a glass of iced tea and a tour!

By: Kris Hanahan