Maintaining your home’s exterior not only enhances its curb appeal but also ensures its long-term structural integrity, and Maintaining your home’s exterior helps keep its curb appeal fresh and helps maintain its value. Remember, if your home is part of an HOA, always adhere to its guidelines for exterior maintenance.
Exterior Entry Doors
- Inspect the weather-stripping of exterior doors semi-annually to ensure they are securely fastened.
- Use aerosol lubricant on squeaky hinges, and apply petroleum jelly to rubber weather-stripping to prevent sticking.
- For sliding glass doors, regularly clean the track of any debris.
- Regularly inspect your garage door and opener for signs of wear and improper alignment.
- Check with your door manufacturer for details on how to adjust an exterior door.
Exterior Walls and Stucco
- Regularly check for cracks or damage in the stucco. Address small cracks promptly to prevent further damage.
- Use a soft brush and gentle cleaning solution to remove any stains or mold on stucco.
- Consider repainting or resealing the stucco as needed, depending on the climate, and its current condition.
Exterior Windows
- Vacuum window tracks on a monthly basis to prevent debris accumulation.
- Clean exterior glass with a solution of water with a little vinegar added to cut the grime. Wipe down with a lint-free cloth.
- If the seal around the window frame breaks, call the manufacturer for repair.
Exterior Lighting
- Regularly check outdoor lighting to ensure all bulbs function properly.
- Periodic cleaning, bulb replacements, and repairs will keep your property well-lit.
Landscaping
- Delay landscaping projects in your new home for at least the first year; it takes a year for most of the soil to settle.
- Hire a licensed professional landscaper to do any additional landscaping around your home as it has been landscaped and graded to avoid flooding and termites.
- Conduct annual spring inspections for termites around your property and landscape.
Gutters and roof
- Inspect your home’s gutters and downspouts semi-annually, especially during fall season.
- Ensure that mastic is applied to all flashings. This maintenance should be performed annually to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the flashings.
- Remove debris per necessity.
- Remember to inspect the elbows where the gutters connect to the downspouts.
- Inspect and address any cracked caulk at the corners.
Fencing and Gates
- Maintain wooden fences with cleaning, staining, or painting. For metal or vinyl fences, use appropriate cleaning agents.
Decks and Patios
- Clean decks annually, and reapply sealant or stain every 6 months.
Pest Control
- Consistently inspect your home’s exterior for pests, and address them.
- Consider periodic pest control treatments, especially in pest-prone areas.
