Whether you’re buying a home, have just moved in, or have been living there for many years; it’s a good idea to take a look at the exterior. This is where many issues start; it’s important to be aware of what the issues are, how to spot them, and how to fix them properly.
There are 5 common exterior issues to be aware of:
- Leaking Roof
A leaking roof can cause a huge number of issues. Of course, it will create an annoying drip which may be noticeable in one of your rooms. But, a water leak will cause far more damage than this; especially if it continues unnoticed for an extended period of time.
Water getting into your home can make the wooden beams of your house wet, over time this will rot the beams, potentially causing structural issues. In addition, if the space in your loft is permanently damp you are likely to develop mold issues. This can be detrimental to your health.
The first step in treating a leaking roof is to locate the source of the leak; you may be able to trace this backward from the wet spot inside your house. If not a visual inspection of the roof should illuminate you, particular weak spots are the flashings around Veluxes and chimneys.
Replace the flashing and any damaged tiles to prevent the issue in the future.
- Damaged Cladding/ Render
The next step is to look at the walls on the outside of your home. Damaged render looks unsightly but it also presents a great access point for pests and insects. If these get into your walls or your home you’ll find they can be more than just a nuisance; they can seriously damage the structure of your home. It’s important to fill any gaps straight away.
- Yard Clutter
A messy yard may not seem like much of an issue for your home, but it is.
In fact, there are several ways in which this can be bad for your home:
- Climbing plants
If plants are climbing up your walls then they are likely to be damaging the finish of your walls, potentially allowing insects and rain in. This will lead to much bigger issues. Get the climbers of your wall as quickly as possible.
- Wood piles
Piles of wood are very attractive to a huge array of insects and other small creatures. Unfortunately, if they are within 6 feet of your home the pests will happily travel this extra distance and attempt to invade your home.
If those pests are termites and they decide that your home is a good place to live you’re going to find yourself with structural issues.
Get rid of wood piles and other decomposing items, or at the least move them as far away from the walls as possible.
- Mold
Mold is unsightly and can be bad for your health. If your garden is overgrown then the sunlight will be blocked from your walls, creating the perfect environment for mold to grow.
Eliminate the issue by trimming trees and bushes, as well as maintaining the lawn on a regular basis.
- Foundations
The foundations are critical to the stability of your home. If there is a weakness in them then you’re entire home is at risk!
Common issues are an infestation of termites, damp causing wet rot, subsidence due to land movement or excess water collection, and a lack of ventilation.
You’ll need to inspect the foundations; they can usually be accessed by removing part of your lower floor. If you find any damage you’ll want to get professional help to resolve the problem quickly.
- Drainage
Finally, you should look at the drainage of your property. This starts with the gutters and downpipes, then ends with the sewer connection. Leaves and other debris collect in the gutter which causes water to flow down the side of the building and create damp related issues. Blockages in the sewer drains can cause sewerage to backflow across your yard or even inside your home.
It’s worth inspecting them regularly to ensure you don’t have an issue. Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing this there are companies who will handle the drain side of your maintenance for you.
With a little care and attention, you can easily maintain your home and help it to protect you from the elements for many more years. If you neglect your home you’re likely to have expensive problems in the not-so-distant future. That’s not something that any homeowner relishes.