Staying at home is a blessing. It allows you to rest, spend time with family or loved ones, and at times, learn something new. Given your busy schedule at work, it’s time to give your home its much-needed attention. Take this opportunity to inspect your home’s exterior and do the necessary cleaning and repairs it deserves.
Armed with the right tools, here are some easy tips for keeping your home’s exterior in excellent shape.
Clean Gutters
Gutters are catchment basins for rainwater, which protect your home’s exterior and its foundation against water damage. Gutters also filter leaves and other debris from clogging your drainage system. If left unchecked, a clogged gutter could cause mold infestation and a leaky roof. Gutter cleaning experts from Seattle suggest you should clean your gutters at least twice a year. You should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) before cleaning your gutters. Make sure that you also have a sturdy ladder to work with while cleaning. Bring a trash bag with you to collect all the debris.
Fix Roof
Your roof is your home’s first defense against harsh weather elements and keeps your home comfortable. Use this quarantine period as an opportunity to do a visual inspection of your roof by cleaning and repairing it. Watch out for problems such as roof shingles, leaks, rotting wood, sagging support beams, and damaged caulk. Missing or damaged shingles will lead to leaks and even cause pests to enter your home. You can do basic roof repairs to resolve such concerns and extend your roof’s lifespan.
Inspect Foundation
Another key area that needs your attention is your home’s foundation. Remember that this helps keeps the entire structure stable and free from moisture. Inspect the foundation thoroughly to spot cracks, which can compromise the entire structure’s stability. You can patch small cracks using a concrete mixture. Doing so helps prevent water from seeping into the foundation. If you suspect structural issues, look for a masonry specialist who can help fix these.
Maintain the Sidings
Your home’s exterior sidings are also exposed to the elements. It’s important to keep them clean and check them for any signs of damage. A bucket of soapy solution and a long-handled brush will do the trick. Scrub the sidings thoroughly to remove grime, dirt, and mildew from the surface. Use a garden hose to wash off the excess soapy solution from the sidings. Chlorine-based products or bleach solutions should be used with utmost care. These can either affect the paint or kill the plants near these sidings.
Clean or Replace Window Screens
Dust and other debris build up on your window screens over time. Dirty window screens can affect the air quality inside your home. These prevent fresh air from entering your home and circulating stale, humid air outside your home. Broken window screens also invite pests, such as mosquitoes, mice, and other pests, into your house. Clean these screens with a soapy or vinegar solution. Simply dip a dishcloth or sponge in the solution and wipe it over the screen. Repeat the process until you remove all the dirt and debris. Then, rinse the screen thoroughly with water. For broken screens, it’s best to hire professional installers to replace these window screens immediately.
There you have it! A list of simple chores to do while you’re stuck at home. Doing these will not only keep you occupied but will also help you save money on expensive home repairs.
