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5 Best Ways to Protect the Exterior of Your Home

By: Joe Adams

Your home is more than just a shelter—it’s an investment. Protecting your home’s exterior not only ensures its longevity but also enhances its curb appeal and value. From harsh weather conditions to general wear and tear, your home’s exterior faces various challenges. Fortunately, there are proactive steps you can take to safeguard it. In this blog post, we will explore the five best things you can do to protect the exterior of your home.

  1. Regular Maintenance: Performing regular maintenance is crucial for preserving the integrity of your home’s exterior. This includes inspecting for any signs of damage, such as cracks, peeling paint, or loose siding. Promptly address these issues by repairing or replacing damaged materials. Regularly clean your home’s exterior, including the roof, gutters, and windows, to prevent the buildup of dirt, debris, and mildew. By staying vigilant and addressing small problems early on, you can prevent them from escalating into more significant and costly repairs.
  2. Weatherproofing: Weatherproofing your home is an effective way to protect it from the elements. Start by applying a weather-resistant coating to your exterior walls to shield them from rain, snow, and sunlight. Seal any gaps or cracks in the siding, windows, and doors to prevent water infiltration and air leaks. Install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows to protect against high winds and flying debris during severe weather events. Additionally, ensure that your roof is in good condition, with intact shingles and proper insulation to withstand rain, wind, and extreme temperatures
  3. Proper Drainage: Effective drainage is essential for preventing water damage to your home’s exterior. Poorly managed water can seep into the foundation, causing structural issues and mold growth. Ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and functioning properly, directing water away from your home’s foundation. Grade the landscaping around your home to slope away from the foundation, preventing water from pooling near the walls. Consider installing a French drain or a sump pump system if you live in an area prone to excessive rain or have poor soil drainage.
  4. Pest Prevention: Protecting your home’s exterior involves safeguarding it against pests, such as termites, ants, or rodents. Regularly inspect the perimeter of your home for any signs of pest activity, such as chewed wood or droppings. Seal any cracks or gaps that could serve as entry points for pests. Keep your outdoor areas clean and well-maintained, removing any potential nesting sites, such as piles of wood or debris. Consider professional pest control services to prevent infestations and protect your home from potential damage.
  5. Proper Landscaping: Landscaping not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your home but also serves as a protective barrier. Strategically placed trees and shrubs can provide shade, reducing the impact of harsh sunlight on your home’s exterior. Ensure that trees are trimmed and pruned regularly to prevent branches from damaging your roof or siding during storms. Avoid planting vegetation too close to the foundation, as the roots can cause structural damage. Lastly, regularly water and fertilize your lawn to promote healthy growth and prevent soil erosion.

Protecting the exterior of your home is essential for its long-term durability, value, and visual appeal. By following these five best practices—regular maintenance, weatherproofing, proper drainage, pest prevention, and proper landscaping—you can effectively shield your home from the elements and potential damage. Remember, investing in preventive measures today can save you from costly repairs down the road. So, take the necessary steps to protect your home and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it will stand strong for years to come.

Ghosting

ghosting carpetIt’s not uncommon to have home buyers see dark staining in homes and have concern that it may be mold.  There is an occurrence not known to most home buyers called “ghosting” that can cause dark stains in many areas of a home.

Indoor air contains different types of particles from both indoor and outdoor sources.  These particles will eventually land on interior surfaces through a variety of ways.  When they build up, they cause a staining (can appear on walls, floors, ceilings, appliances, etc).

This can happen due to smokers in the house, gas burning appliances in the house, candle use or just pressure differentials in walls that cause the carpet to act as a filter as air passes through it.

To read more in depth, go to the web site link below.

http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/technical_brief_ghosting.pdf

Squeaky Floor

Squeak awayThe part of the floor you see sits on top of the subfloor. That is, in turn, supported by large boards called joists. If there aren’t enough screws holding the subfloor to the joists or if for other reasons there are gaps between the joists and the subfloor, squeaking can occur. You can fill these gaps with hardwood shims if you have access to the subfloor from below (if it’s unfinished).

If you don’t have access from below, you can pick up a “squeak away” from the hardware store and fix from the top side of the floor.

Avoid Freezing Pipes

Frozen pipe

Like last year, temperatures are again reaching single digits.
Just because you have not had any problems since you have lived in your home, doesn’t mean you won’t now. Everyone is at risk….regardless of how new your home is, however, homes built before the 80’s are particularly susceptible.

Biggest risks (in order of incidence of problems)
• Exterior faucets (aka “hose bib”)
• Pipes in Crawl spaces
• Pipes in garages or other unheated spaces
• Pipes in exterior walls

EVERYONE should do ALL the following:

1. Main Shut Off: Know where your main water shut-off is to your home. There are TWO locations, ONE is INSIDE the meter box by the street (you need a special tool…)…and the other should be (Basement) just inside the exterior foundation wall, where the main water line enters from the street or (Crawlspace) in the crawl or next to the water heater or (Slab) next to the water heater.

2. Outside Faucets: Find the inside valve or “cut-off” to all exterior faucets and shut them off.

• Often located near the wall, drop ceiling or cabinet where the faucet is located but also can be a distance away near a utility area.

• Valve is usually a circular handle, (“tighty-righty” & “loosey-lefty”) but can be a lever (lever shut off position is at a 90 degree angle to the pipe)

• Once the inside valve is shut off, OPEN the faucet on the OUTSIDE. This will allow any water in the pipe to exit and leave none to freeze.

• If it’s “too late” and you are already frozen….grab a hair dryer, extension cord and some mittens and heat it until it the outside faucet opens up.

• Insulate or wrap the outside faucet/hose-bib

• Hardware stores sell a half-sphere Styrofoam deal that attaches to your faucet.

Most should also do the following:

1. Leave your water running on the INSIDE faucets. If it’s going to be single digit temps, do a slight run, not just a drip.
2. Open any interior cabinets where there is plumbing at an exterior wall…This is usually a kitchen or bath. This will allow more heat in where plumbing is.
3. Crawlspace or other less insulated/conditioned areas: be sure all pipes are insulated.

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