The outside appearance of our homes is essential for so many reasons, so the upkeep and condition of the exterior is an important task that we shouldn’t neglect. Let’s face it: our home is our castle, and if it has fallen into disrepair, the neighbors will indeed talk. Nobody wants that. To further that point, it only takes one disgruntled person to report you to the homeowners association or the town to make your life a logistical nightmare.
Anyway, most of us want our home to look nice and impress passers-by, so keeping it tight is the right thing to do. More importantly, the neighbors think that keeping the exterior in good shape means you’re less likely to have problems that will be more costly over time. It can also keep the inside of the house safe from the elements.
For example, it’s better to clean your gutters regularly than have them clog up and cause an expensive flood (more on that later). Maintaining the exterior home environment will also add to its curb appeal and resale value. So now that you know why you should maintain the outside of your home, let’s talk about who you should have helped you. In this blog, we will explore which exterior home services can keep your home in great shape.
1. Roof Maintenance
The first step to keeping any exterior home area in great shape is to maintain your roof. Because we can’t see it, it’s easy to ignore it, until something happens. Whether shingles flying off in a storm or water rushing in from a leak, many of us wait for something to happen before we tend to the top of our house. But the fact is, a well-maintained roof is vital for the overall condition of your home.
Not only does it keep the elements out, but it also keeps the exterior from suffering water damage and fading from the sun, and nowadays, it can add some style and elegance to your home. Now more than ever, a roof can be as stylish as new siding or windows. There are so many styles to choose from that add beauty and functionality to your home.
A roofing contractor can meet with you and discuss options based on the size and shape of your home and your budget. If you’re not quite ready for a whole new roof, they can discuss repairs that will keep your roof in good condition for the time being. Either way, roof maintenance is vital for home upkeep.
2. Patio Builders
While patio builders are not necessarily a critical service to keep your exterior home in excellent condition, having a patio installed can significantly improve the look and feel of the outside of your house. Once you have a patio, you will need to maintain it, and patio building professionals can help you keep it in tip-top shape by replacing looks or chipped bricks, and regrading the soil when lifts occur. Whether it’s a large one big enough to host barbecues or a smaller one used to relax in the middle of your garden, no doubt adding a patio can do wonders for the aesthetics of a home.
Many patio paver installers also use concrete contracting companies to lay a foundation, which can help with flooding and drainage. If you already have a patio, then it’s vital to maintain it. Not only for the general appearance, but you don’t want people or pets getting injured on broken, chipped, or lifted pavers.
Consider calling a patio builder to inspect your patio each spring to ensure its integrity and get any needed repairs done. Once the repairs are done, you can enjoy the great outdoors all summer. Having a well-maintained patio will also give you an excellent return on your home should you decide to sell.
3. Garage Door Repair Services
Having a broken or malfunctioning garage door can be a real pain, especially if you keep your car in there. Parking your car on the street or the driveway can open you up to car theft and wear and tear on your vehicle from the weather. Since most people use their garage space to store essential items like lawn care, snow removal tools, and kid’s sports gear, a broken garage door can create some pretty hairy situations for everyone.
If you have a fridge or freezer in there, you’ll be unable to get to or store your food. Those scenarios assume that the door was in the down position. If broken in the open position, you can get to your things, but they won’t be safe from the elements or thieves. On top of all this, a broken door can make your home look shabby. So, garage door repairs should be done as soon as a problem occurs. A garage door company will likely come out within 24 hours of your call so you can do it quickly.
4. Landscape Designers
Landscape designers are professionals who design and plan beautiful and functional outdoor spaces. This can include anything from trees, shrubs, bushes, flowers, and other plant life designs. They meet with clients to learn about their wants and needs. Then, they’ll draw up graphic plans and present them to the client, town, and other contractors working at the property.
They’re responsible for purchasing landscape supplies, getting needed permits, suggesting materials and designs, and working with a hardscape company. If you’ve got a home that previously used the services of a landscape designer, it’s a good idea to reconnect with them each spring to ensure everything is still functioning as planned and to see if you want to add anything to your existing layout. Landscape design services will help keep the exterior of your home looking spiffy. It can help with drainage and water issues. If you plant carefully, it can also help keep bugs and critters away. Installing walkways and paths can help access other parts of the home and make upkeep easier.
5. Lawn Care Services
Hiring lawn maintenance companies or landscapers is vital to keeping your exterior home in excellent condition. Nobody wants burnt-out, yellow grass with dead shrubs or overgrown weeds. Worse yet, you don’t want dead trees or branches looming over your property where they can damage structures or harm others.
A landscaper will also care for those leaves piling up everywhere and cut down on insects and burrowing rodents. They perform a range of services that will help to maintain a great-looking lawn and surrounding area. In the spring, they will do a general clean up, then aerate, seed, and fertilize your lawn.
For weed control, a lawn care pro can lay mulch, cedar chips, or anything else you choose. During the summer, they will regularly mow the lawn, trim bushes, and shrubs, edge the lawn, and can even plant flowers. In the fall, they will conduct another clean-up and come regularly to mow and clear leaves. If you have trees that need trimming or branches that need to come down, it’s a good idea to do that in the fall before bad weather rolls around.
6. Deck Contractors
Having a deck as part of your home design can be a great way to extend your living space and increase the value of your home. It’s a place for your family to gather and throw parties during the warm weather months. If you have a deck that’s been neglected for some time, consider hiring a contractor for deck restoration. This will help with the overall look of your exterior home presentation, as well as improve safety for people and pets.
Having loose boards, rotting wood, and unsteady railings can cause injury. A faulty deck can also affect the integrity of the area of the home to which it’s attached. If an old deck collapses or breaks away, it can be costly to repair damaged siding, foundation, and landscaping. Yearly maintenance of a deck is recommended to keep it in good condition. This may include resealing, staining, and sanding.
A deck contractor can also perform an annual inspection to ensure that the structure is sound enough to hold the weight it needs to. While the contractor is there, you should consider adding to the deck to make the condition even better. You may want to add new railings or a privacy wall. New steps or a ramp may be helpful with access for older people or those who use mobility devices.
If you’re looking for some ideas to increase your comfort and enjoyment, try adding lights to your deck; this will increase visibility and make it easier to be out there at night. Many people are now adding outdoor kitchens to their decks. This helps extend the outside time while saving energy and wear and tear on your indoor kitchen.
7. Gutter Repair Services
The gutters on the outside of our homes are not always the first thing that comes to mind when we think about keeping our exterior home in excellent condition, but they should be. The potential damage your home can suffer from clogged or damaged gutters can cost thousands of dollars and be a massive headache. Gutters allow water and debris to drain off the roof and away from your home. It helps protect the roof and the home’s foundation, walkways, and landscaping.
Gutters can also help prevent your basement from taking on water. Regular gutter services are vital to keeping your home’s exterior in good condition. A professional can not only clean the gutters of debris and ensure the water can flow properly, but they will inspect the gutter’s condition as well. They will check for loose or broken gutters, and leaders will check for pitch issues, leaks, and animal damage. A gutter specialist can repair sagging, pulling, crooked gutters and redirect downspouts so water drains away from the house.
8. Driveway Maintenance Services
Maintaining your driveway does much more than make the exterior of your home look tidy and increase the curb appeal; it can help keep other parts of your home in excellent condition, too. So many options are available now that a nice, functional driveway is within reach of almost every budget. If you have cracks and dings throughout, you can choose a simple asphalt driveway sealing job.
If you prefer something more upscale and aesthetically pleasing, you can go with decorative, pacer brick, or stamped concrete. Driveway maintenance professionals won’t only help you with a good-looking driveway; they’ll ensure that it’s graded and sealed correctly to help with drainage. This will help prevent water damage to your foundation and basement.
Proper driveway sealing will ensure longevity, so you won’t need to worry about constant upkeep. Keeping all those potholes, sinkholes, and missing chunks of asphalt bay will also help your tires and prevent injury. You may consider adding a gate and fence to your driveway area. This can help secure your property and keep pets safe.
9. Power Washing Service
Hiring a professional to powerwash the exterior of your home can significantly help it stay in top condition. It’s recommended that other than the siding of your house, walkways, driveways, garages, decks, and patios be done as well. Power washing gets rid of stains and dirt build-up, as well as moss, mildew, insects and their nests, and messes from birds.
The physical difference can be beautiful, but it also helps keep everything in good working order by preventing clogs, rot, and general deterioration. While you can rent a power washing machine and do it yourself, a professional may be a better option. They know how the machine works, are able to use it to get into areas you may not think of, and can use certain techniques you may not be aware of. Plus, you’ll save yourself time and keep from getting pretty messy and wet.
Using exterior home services like the ones listed above can go a long way in helping to keep your exterior home space in great shape. When your home is in good condition, you can be confident in how others view your home. More importantly, you’re protecting your investment, adding to its value, and making it an enjoyable space at the same time.
