Whether you’re a new homeowner or not, you would want your house’s exterior to look impeccable. The same goes for owning a newly built house, or an old inherited villa that might have been in the family for a good part of a century. Maintaining the exterior of a house is as important as curating its interior design. And while you might feel the task can be a bit daunting, this article will outline five outdoor maintenance tasks that should be on the top of your list, and how you can execute them.

1. Take A Stock

The first step is always assessing how much work needs to be done to get your house in tip-top shape. You can just take a walk around the perimeter of the house and keep a keen eye out for any damage you might see, or anything in your new house that you would like to change. Some of the areas you need to check include the roof, walls, foundations of the house, and the landscape. Pay serious attention to the roof and look for any missing shingles that could cause a leak, in which case you might need roofing experts. You can look for them on the internet, for instance, if you’re in Texas, just type Austin roofers in the search bar and you’ll find several options like Ace Roofing to choose from. The walls might need reinforcing for any water damage, or you might just want to change the color of the paint. The house’s foundations are vital for making sure the structural integrity holds through. Finally, look for signs of erosion or mold on the floors because they could indicate trouble with the gutter flows.

2. Brighten Up the Exterior

The exterior paints are generally a lot tougher, but they still chip due to weather and climatic conditions. The exterior paint supplements the curb appeal of your house and makes it appear well-managed. If redoing the entire exterior feels a bit much, you can always consider doing touch-ups of wherever the paint has chipped. It will also keep your house dry and protected. Instead, if your house has wood siding, it will serve you well to get it stained every two to five years. Some signs you should keep an eye on to prevent wood rot from setting into the house’s exterior include discoloration of the wood or if it swells up in any spot. If you’re in doubt, try to pierce through the wood siding with a screwdriver. If it goes through, the wood has softened, and you have a case of wood rot at hand.

3. Get Rid of the Dirt

This task is simpler enough and you won’t even need to call in expert technicians for it. All you need is a power hose connected to a water source, and you can wash the exterior of your house with it. Washing your house’s exterior every couple of years is advised, and it can help get rid of the grime and dirt that sets into the walls and roof. The best part about washing the exterior regularly is that it can reveal any issues with the roof or walls hiding under all the dirt.

4. Don’t Ignore the Windows

Windows are easy to neglect when it comes to exterior maintenance. Watch for any signs of wear and tear in the hinges, as it can prevent a window from completely falling off. If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions like sandstorms or really any kind of storms and heavy rains, do check the windows afterwards for any major damage. If you’re lucky and have skylights in your house, check on a yearly basis to keep them operational. People often ignore the caulking around windows; the caulk makes the windows watertight and can prevent rainwater from seeping in. Keep a bottle of caulk handy to just repair as soon as you see any chipping.

5. Take Care of the Garden

Regardless of the size and type of landscaping in your front and back yard, you can use it to your advantage to make your house look pretty. Whether you’re going for a faerie-like vibe with shrubs or a clean and sharp hedging, regular maintenance is helpful. It will also contain the influx of pests into your house. Plus, your neighbors won’t find you lazy.

Conclusion

From regular checks of the infrastructure of your house to maintaining your garden, all of these tips can help you keep your house in great shape. There’s a certain delight in keeping your house looking clean and pretty, but more than that, it can help prevent the frustration that comes from having mold or pest infestation within the house.