As the weather becomes cooler, it is time once again for a full cleanup around the exterior of your home. The weather will only get colder, and you want to make sure your house is protected from potential damage from freezing temperatures. Exterior cleaning tasks like the ones that follow will also make your home look cleaner and more attractive, which benefits both you and your neighborhood.
General Cleanup – Getting Your Home's Exterior In Order
1. Roof Inspection, Cleaning And Roofing Repair
Your roof is one of the most important components of your home, so it makes sense to have it inspected each year to make sure everything is in order. Small leaks can lead to big problems as the weather gets cooler. Water penetration leads to mold, which is made worse when the windows are all closed up in colder weather. Leaks can also freeze, leading to additional damage to the roof and anywhere else the water penetrates.
A roof inspection and cleaning (if moss growth or excessive debris are a problem) will prepare your roof for the coming year. If there are any issues, the roofing repair contractor can address them early on, avoiding the need for more expensive repairs down the road.
2. Gutter Cleaning And Gutter Replacement Or Repair
The same contractor that looks over your roof can usually do the same for your gutters. Functional gutters are extremely important in protecting the home and its foundation against water damage. When gutters fill with leaves and other debris, they will often clog and fill with water. If the water freezes, the gutter can rip away from the roof.
Your contractor can inspect the gutters for damage, and perform a gutter cleaning as well. If there is damage, it may be possible to repair. If not, a gutter replacement will be necessary. Gutter replacement is a small investment to protect your home, and is definitely something you want done before the snows come.
3. Checking Windows And Doors
With the cooler weather you will be using your heating system a lot more, so you want to make sure that your windows and doors are sealed correctly. Improperly sealed or mounted windows and doors can lead to a loss in energy and increased utility costs, something you want to avoid if possible. Your contractor can take a look at each window and door in the house and verify that it is mounted properly and sealed correctly, and can make repairs or perform a window replacement as necessary.
4. Preparing And Cleaning Up Your Landscaping
Fall is an important time for anyone with landscape plants that they want to keep alive through the winter. Depending on the plant, you can lay down a nice layer of mulch to provide insulation and water retention throughout the next few seasons. Raking up leaves periodically will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed as they accumulate. You can also clean up any dead growth from your various plants as the season progresses to make your home's exterior look better and avoid rotting plant material right outside your home.
As a freeze becomes more likely, you will want to clear the water out of your water hoses and detach them from the spigot on the home's exterior to avoid damage to your water hoses and your fixtures.
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