How to Protect Your Home From the Elements

Owning a home is a big investment. For many it is the most expensive purchase they will ever make. Throughout the year, your home puts up with a lot from the outside elements. Protect your investment by performing maintenance that will protect your home from the elements. 

Insulate Your Interior 

On average, heating and cooling your home makes up more than half (54%) of your monthly utility bill. The quality of insulation you have greatly impacts the energy efficiency in your home. Poor insulation lets hot and cold air leak through. This makes your HVAC system work harder and longer to keep the home at the temperature you want. During extreme seasons like winter or summer, this problem is amplified. This will also increase your bill. To fight air leaks, check the insulation in various parts of your home. Consult with a professional on how to replace or reinforce your home’s insulation to decrease your electric bill. 

Patch Up Roof Leaks 

One of the biggest costs you will experience when building your home is your roof. A roof is an expensive yet crucial part of any building. Consistently maintaining your roof will extend the life of your roof. Without proper attention, the roof will deteriorate, and problems will occur that cause you to replace it sooner than expected. One of the many issues that comes up during the life of a roof is water leaks. Leaks can cause intense damage to your roof and the structure of your home. Prevent roof leaks with regular maintenance checks. Patch up loose tiles to prevent water from seeping in and causing water damage . 

Seal Your Windows and Doors 

During the year, your home puts up with a lot of changes in the elements. Your home is responsible for keeping the elements from coming inside. Unfortunately, windows and doors are a temporary barrier that are often weak points in your home’s ability to insulate. Sealing windows and doors can improve your home’s insulation and energy efficiency. Increased insulation directly impacts the reduction of energy bills and helps limit outside noise. Prevent wet and dry elements from sneaking into your home by sealing openings around your windows and doors. 

Protect Your Driveway 

Variance in extreme temperatures can have a big impact on your driveway. Under the hot sun, the asphalt will melt and deteriorate over time. During the winter, your driveway also deteriorates. Cracks let water into your paving , weakening it and causing further damage. Filling in cracks annually and sealing the driveway will go a long way in preserving the life of your parking space. Depending on the status of your driveway and what kind of year it has been, you usually only need to put a sealant on every 2-3 years. Protect your driveway, your cars, and add to your home’s curb appeal by protecting your driveway. 

Wash Your Home Exterior 

Over the course of the year, the exterior of your house puts up with a lot of environmental changes. Wind, rain, snow, and any number of debris find a way to stick to your home. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get all that gunk off your house, you should consider pressure washing your home . Pressure washing your home is an environmentally friendly, safe, and effective way to clean the outside of your home. It also protects the exterior from mold and various infections that can deteriorate the home. You may be surprised by how beneficial it is to spray down your house when you see just how much gunk is washed off. 

Replace Siding 

Washing the home’s exterior is a great seasonal habit. However, the outside siding on your home still needs maintenance. Wind, rain, hot and cold temperatures, and debris can wear away the integrity of your exterior siding. There comes a time when you need to replace the siding on your home. If your siding has cracks or holes in it, animals, moisture, and mold can creep inside and deteriorate the skeleton of your house. Failure to keep the outside elements from coming in, will cause further damage to your home and decrease energy efficiency. Replacing the siding on your home will not only prevent mold and poor insulation, but it will significantly add to the home’s curb appeal being customized exactly to your tastes. 

Evaluate Nearby Trees 

Trees surrounding your property can put your home at risk, especially during stormy seasons. Dead branches or limbs laden with snow can break off and fall on your roof in a severe winter storm. Branches that fall because of wind can cause severe damage to your roof including disruption of shingles, insulation, and its general integrity. Each spring and fall, it is wise to trim trees near your home’s roof that could be a threat. It is also wise to keep an eye during the winter to identify branches that have broken during the season and could fall on your home. Trees are a beautiful feature for your home, but they can be costly and extremely dangerous if not trimmed properly. 

Prevent Frozen Pipes 

If left untreated, frozen pipes can lead to extensive property damage. Even if it isn’t freezing outside, the ground temperature can be low enough to freeze your pipes. When pipes freeze , they develop blockages that create excess pressure. Your pipes have a higher risk of exploding and causing catastrophic damage inside your home. To avoid frozen pipes, keep the air inside your home warm. Open cabinets to let warm air circulate through. If gone for extensive periods of time, leave the water running at a drip to keep water flow constant. Contact your plumber immediately if your pipes freeze for their assistance. 

Home ownership is a lot of work. Keeping your home clean and tidy is necessary for every good homeowner. Maintenance is also critical to maintaining the value and useability of the home. Perform maintenance to protect your home from the elements and increase its value.