Ah, home ownership. It is a lovely thing when everything is working as it should. When things go awry, however, the fun stops right away. There are a couple of important things you can do to keep your home’s exterior in good working order so you can spend less time on emergency repairs and more time doing the things you love.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters are lightweight workhorses for your home. They sit there unnoticed, just doing their job until a problem arises. When one does, you will likely know right away. If gutters become clogged with debris, dirt, trash, and leaves, rainwater has a hard time flowing through them and emptying onto the ground and away from your home’s foundation. Instead, the water will spill over the side and land directly near your foundation.
Some potential problems that may arise from clogged gutters include:
- Foundational cracks can result from excess rainwater pooling up near the foundation.
- Rainwater splashing against the house may cause damage to the siding materials.
- Mould or algae growth occurring near your home due to too much standing water.
- Gutters can separate from the house if the clog becomes too heavy.
You should hire a professional gutter cleaning company at least once per year, but twice may be necessary if you have a lot of leaf-shedding trees in your neighbourhood. Even if you have a high roofline, the wind has a way of blowing leaves onto your roof where they end up in the gutters. As the leaves dry, they become rigid, causing them to become tangled together making it more difficult for them to wash through the gutters when it rains.
In addition, as organic matter sits in the gutters, it begins to break down. Licensed gutter cleaners will have the proper tools available to not only remove the built-up debris but also clean the mould and any growth that has occurred so water has a clear channel to run through during rain.
Inspect the Roof
Nothing says trouble like a leaky roof. If you can do so safely, climb up onto your roof twice per year to inspect the roof. Should you feel unsafe tackling this job, contact a licensed professional to do it for you. Once they are up there, they should look for signs of old, worn, or damaged shingles or roofing material. Assess for insect or rodent access points, damage, or infestation. Ask the roofer to replace any problematic shingles and repair any other concerns as needed.
If roofs are left unattended, you will not know if you have a problem until it is too late. Some signs of concern may include:
- Water seeping into your attic
- Wet spots on the ceiling
- Mould growth on the ceiling or walls
- Musty odours
- Insect infestation
- Rodent droppings or sightings
Watch this video to get an idea of what a roof inspection will entail.
With this advice in mind, it is time to schedule the necessary appointments to ensure your home stays in good condition. With proactive maintenance, you can avoid costly repairs – because saving money is always a good idea.