For many, ringing in the new year means making home improvement resolutions. This is a popular time to take care of some house organization and maintenance projects. As we start 2020, we wanted to help homeowners to set their goals for keeping their home looking great this year.
Here are the top 10 maintenance tips for home improvement this year.
Prevent Major House Hazards
We advise homeowners to continually check for the ‘Big 3.’ Three major threats to the value and structural integrity of your home are:
- Termites and other insects,
- Water damage, and
- Mold.
This year, make it top priority to look for or have your house inspected for termite activity (which peaks during the summer months), mold growth, and water problems, such as wood rot.
Inspect the Roof
Once the snow has cleared away, you should check your roof. At least once a year, it’s important to get up there and look for damage or wear. Keep your eye out for missing shingles, as well as points where water may leak into the house and cause water damage. You should also check the gutters and waterspouts to check for ice dams and ensure they aren’t clogged or blocked by branches, leaves and debris.
Replace Weatherstripping on Windows & Doors
Make sure your home isn’t drafty this year. Weatherstripping can peel away and become compacted over time, especially in locations that are used often, like the threshold of the front door, so replacement is necessary. Inspect the weatherstripping to verify its condition and replace the sections that are worn out. Replacement stripping can be found at your local hardware store or through your window and door supplier. This simple maintenance project will help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and, as a result, decrease your utility consumption in the winter and summer seasons.
Clean the Siding
Want to boost your house’s curb appeal in 2020? Start with this siding. Pressure washing the exterior of the home is the best way to clean wood, vinyl, brick, fiber cement, and aluminum siding. It easily powers away the dirt, tree sap, pollen, seasonal residue, and grime, stains, and mold that attaches to the surface throughout the year.
If you have a multi-story house, you should strongly consider hiring a power washing service to tackle the job. A professional crew uses power washers to clean the exterior and windows safely and in a fraction of the time that it would take the average DIYer.
Maintain Your Deck & Patio
Make a resolution to spend more time outside this year. By keeping your deck and patio clean and well cared for, you and your family are more likely to use those spaces. With a few simple preventative measures, you will feel much better about inviting friends over for a barbecue or hosting an outdoor party this summer.
Deck maintenance includes seasonal power washing, sealing or staining the wood, replacing damaged or rotting boards, and eliminating excess water. To keep your patio pavers looking good, we recommend weeding regularly, then power washing and refilling the joints annually.
Schedule HVAC Servicing
Heating and air conditioning systems don’t last forever; on average, they operate well for about 10 years before requiring replacement. One way that homeowners can extend the life of their equipment is to have regular maintenance checks. In addition to extending its life, an annual tune up helps ensure that the HVAC system is running well and prevent more expensive repairs in the future.
This is also a good time to change the furnace filter. It’s necessary to replace the HVAC filter at least every six months to provide good air quality and energy efficiency.
Check the Dryer Duct
Appliance manufacturers recommend that dryer ducts be cleaned out at least once a year. Because this isn’t the first thing on most homeowner’s list of priorities, it’s a task that often gets put off or forgotten. It’s an important one, however, because lint buildup becomes a fire hazard and decreases the efficiency of the dryer.
In addition to cleaning out the lint trap after each load of laundry, you should also clean the dryer vent. You can do this by detaching the duct running from the back of the dryer to the outside wall. Then, use a vacuum extension or plumbing snake to remove the accumulated lint and dust.
Protect the Driveway
Your driveway deserves some TLC occasionally, too. To maintain your concrete driveway and walkway, we recommend patching the surface and treating stains as needed. Sealing the concrete also helps protect the material for years to come, while making it more stain-resistant and durable.
Declutter
January 1st is when many people decide to get rid of excess and clear out their attic, basement and garage. In fact, decluttering is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. In addition to making more space for you and your family to do the things they love, organizing can actually make you feel better and reduce stress. Selling and donating your unused items is a good way to clear usable some space in your home. It’s key to tackle this project in sections, or going room by room, to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Go Green
For this new decade, everyone is focusing on ways to live more sustainably. Yet, it’s the small changes that are the easiest to implement and which can have a significant impact on consumption and waste over time. Think about your daily activities and how you can live a little greener. Here are some helpful resources:
Related article: Sell Your House Faster with These Quick Exterior Improvements.
Home Improvement Starts with Trotta’s
2020 is the year for home care; get it started right with the help of Trotta’s Power Washing. In addition to seasonal cleaning projects, we do concrete cleaning and sealing, painting, and deck restoration. Call (330) 940-3705 or requesting a free quote for services in the greater Peninsula, Ohio area.