Introduction
I know summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the outdoors! And if you’ve been neglecting your home’s exterior over the past few months, don’t worry—I will show you how to get it looking its best before winter sets in.
Cleaning your gutters
Cleaning your gutters is a necessary evil. No one likes to do it, but if you don’t, you can find yourself in some pretty messy situations. When it comes to cleaning your gutters, there are a lot of things to think about:
- How often should I clean my gutters?
- What should I use to clean them?
- How do I make sure that I don’t damage my roof or foundation while doing so?
Cleaning your decks
- Pressure wash your deck
If you’re looking to get your deck clean without having to scrub it by hand, a pressure washer is a tool for you. You’ll want to find one with at least 1,200 PSI and make sure that it’s safe for decks (not all are). You will also need an extension wand so that you can reach all areas of your deck.
- Cleanse with a deck cleaner
There are many different types of deck cleaners on the market so make sure that when choosing one, it’s safe for use around plants and bushes as well as pets and children if they’re around while cleaning up—some products may be too harsh or contain chemicals harmful to these groups!
Repair and staining decks
- Clean and inspect the deck.
- Repair any damaged boards with 3/4-inch plywood cut to the appropriate length and nailed over existing boards or where gaps exist between boards. Nail with galvanized nails; use deck screws only if they are recessed into the wood, not just on top of it, or they will rust over time and fall out of place, causing a hazard when someone steps on them or trips on them while walking along your deck’s surface!
- Stain all new or repaired areas in preparation for sealing with polyurethane (Sikkens Cetol 1). Apply two coats of stain if you want a darker finish; for lighter finishes apply one coat only (and sand between coats).
- Protect against water damage by applying two coats of polyurethane varnish sealer (Sikkens Cetol 1) over your stained area
Sealing cracks in driveways
Sealing cracks in your driveway with a crack sealant is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to protect your home from water damage. The best sealants are those that are compatible with your driveway material, durable, easy to apply, and offer excellent protection.
Here’s how to get the job done:
- Clean out any debris from the crack or pothole before applying the sealant. Be sure there are no loose stones or gravel left behind since these can ruin the application process later on.
- If you’re unsure whether or not you need a new driveway repair sealant (or just want an expert opinion), consider asking an experienced contractor or mason for help choosing one that suits both your needs and budget best. They should be able to give advice based on their experience working with many different materials types over time; since they may even specialize in specific types themselves!
Caulking windows
Caulking is a great way to prevent air leaks. If you don’t want to hire a professional, this can be done by hand or with the use of a caulking gun. Caution should be used when applying caulk because it can damage the surface it’s applied to if not applied properly.
Caulking is also suitable for sealing out water and pests from entering your house through small cracks in windowsills or between window frames and walls. It’s also useful for sealing out air leaks around windows by filling in gaps that may exist where frames meet sills, or where two-piece window panes meet at the corners of windows.
Painting shutters and other exterior trim
If you’re painting your home’s exterior trim, you want to make sure it’s done right. The exterior of your home is the first thing people see when they drive up and also where they’ll spend many hours of their time. If the paint job is done in a way that makes it look like no one cares about it, or if a paint job needs repairs so badly that it looks like someone was too lazy to bother and just slapped some cheap paint on there, then no one will want to be around for very long either.
To avoid this problem, always use exterior-grade paint for any projects involving trim or shutters. There are plenty of good companies out there making quality products designed specifically for this purpose; Benjamin Moore is one brand I always recommend (you can find their products at most hardware stores). You may not need a primer or other materials depending on what kind of surfaces you’re working with—for example: if you’re only touching up existing walls instead of starting from scratch then you could probably skip primer altogether—but just make sure whatever choice you make has been tested thoroughly in all sorts of weather conditions so that any potential problems won’t become actual ones later downriver!
Maintaining brick and masonry surfaces
- Brick and masonry surfaces need to be cleaned regularly.
- You can clean brick and masonry surfaces with a mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth or sponge. If the surface is very dirty or stained, you may want to use a stronger cleaner such as TSP (trisodium phosphate) or muriatic acid. Don’t forget to check out our tips on cleaning brick and masonry surfaces!
- Maintain brick and masonry surfaces by periodically applying protective sealer products available at most home improvement centers, which will help prevent staining caused by airborne pollutants in your area that can settle on these porous materials over time—especially if they’re exposed directly outside. Lampblack from traffic can also stain light-colored bricks; cleaning it off immediately after it happens will help prevent the stains from setting permanently into their surface texture (not unlike how tannins tend not only to stain but also to darken leather).
- Prevent damage to brick and masonry surfaces by never using anything abrasive on them; always wear gloves when working around them; avoid high-pressure washers that could erode their edges; provide proper drainage for rainwater runoff so it doesn’t pool up against them; store heavy items away from walls or foundations made out of these materials so there’s no stress placed directly onto their structure when parked near them.* Repair damage was done by insects such as termites who love eating away at wooden supports like joists inside walls made out of wood siding boards attached together vertically like those found commonly used throughout homes built between the 1920s through 1960s—and even earlier than that!
A well-maintained home can save you money in the long run.
A well-maintained home can save you money in the long run. If you’re looking to sell your home, experts agree that a well-maintained house is more attractive to buyers than one that’s been neglected. In fact, a 2013 study found that homes with minimal or no maintenance issues sold for more money and sold more quickly than those with major issues!
Conclusion
If you want to keep your home in good repair and avoid costly expenses down the road, this is a great place to start. If you’re looking for ways to save money on home maintenance, then check out our other blog posts on this topic.