Homeowners Should Examine These 5 Key Elements

If you’re like most people, your home is one of, if not THE largest investment you’ll ever make and maintaining it is key to protecting its value.  With Spring upon us, there’s no better time to put a little sweat equity into your home! May is National Home Improvement Month and with that in mind, Barb, as well as Mark Clement, a home improvement expert, has provided these tips for helping homeowners get started.

There are five key elements of the home that require regular checking to ensure they are aging properly and are maintaining their functionality.  According to Clement, there is a “must do” list of five items that homeowners should review every year during National Home Improvement Month. This list includes:

Check the roof. Use a ladder or binoculars from across the street to look for problem areas, such as missing or broken shingles, along with roofing tiles that may be “flapping” in the wind.  These are all indications that a new roof may be in your future.  If that’s the case, research the newer products on the market, such as polymer shake and slate roofing tiles.  These impact-resistant tiles are man-made in a wide variety of colors.

Clean and assess the home’s siding. Pressure-washing works well for many homes to remove dirt and algae that can grow on siding, but remember never to pressure-wash windows or their screens.  The extreme high pressure could crack or destroy the caulking around the units.  While cleaning the siding, make sure to check for changes in the exterior from the previous year and be alert to buckling, warping or insect damage that may need to be fixed.

Evaluate the windows. If you find that windows in the home don’t operate easily, there’s air leaking in or out of the units, or there’s condensation between the glass panes, then it may be time to seriously consider replacement windows.

Vinyl framed windows have the highest growth rate in the country due to their energy-efficiency, aesthetic appeal and durability.  Plus, maintenance hassles are so low you’ll forget the horrors of rotting frames, scraping and repainting that come with wood windows.

Check on the gutters. Don’t underestimate the importance of the gutter system on the home.  Each year homeowners should check to make sure their gutters are unclogged and remain sloped for proper drainage.  Plus, make sure the water running off the roof doesn’t cause damage to the building structure, landscaping or property below the roof.

Check the main entry door. If homeowners can see light around the door from the inside, the door is hard to close or lock, or the door itself is warped, it’s time to consider a new door.  Think about the weather conditions that a home’s door faces along with the energy bills.  If either run to the extreme, consider replacing an entryway with a high-performance fiberglass door (which can have up to four times more insulation value than wood doors).

Barb’s list is a great start to getting your home in great shape, now, and when you’re ready to sell!

• Remove and donate unwanted items, reorganize and clean closets, attic, basement and garage
• Power wash exterior walls, porch floors, deck, patio, driveway and sidewalks
• Clean outdoor furniture, umbrellas and outdoor light fixtures
• Clean out gutters
• Clean out refrigerator and freezer, making sure to vacuum the grill and coil
• Remove lint from the hose attached to back of clothes dryer
• Vacuum baseboards, walls and ceilings, wipe down walls
• Steam clean carpets and area rugs and upholstery
• Reseal natural stone surfaces (travertine, etc)
• Reseal and repair grout in bathtubs and showers
• Clean window treatments, dust and clean blinds and shutters
• Remove items from all shelves, dust and clean
• Oil hinges

Other Home Maintenance Articles you may be interested in

Here’s a look at the homes for sale in the Lehigh Valley.

Contact Barb Bottitta for any and all of your Lehigh Valley area questions, as well as real estate needs, as I am always happy to help in any way that I can!  You can also connect with me on my Facebook Page for events and happenings in the Lehigh Valley area, as well as home ownership tips, real estate market updates, and so much more!

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