Many people focus the majority of their attention (maintenance, updating, remodeling, etc.) on the interior of their home, but it is just as important to keep the exterior regularly maintained. The upkeep of the outside of the house often gets put off or overlooked entirely. What many people don’t know is that regularly maintaining the exterior of your house, including the roof, siding, and gutters, is crucial in the protection of the entire home, inside and out, from unpredictable and sometimes harsh weather conditions that we often experience in Iowa.
Maintenance of the Exterior of your Home
Prevent Interior Damage
The exterior of the home is the part exposed to rain, snow, ice, humidity, and other potentially harmful elements. Its durability, construction or installation quality, and current maintainance are all factors in determining the health and condition of a home’s interior. If the exterior of your home isn’t properly maintained, then water can leak into the walls, causing extensive damage in the form of rot, mold, or mildew. Even if water isn’t getting into your home as a result of a home's improper maintenance, air still could be. At the very least, this will increase energy bills as heat escapes in the winter and seeps in during the summer.
Have Your Roof Inspected and Maintained Annually
Replacing your entire roof can be a huge investment, but it may be a necessary measure. No roof is guaranteed to last forever. If you think your roof may be in need of replacement, contact Hedrick Construction for a free roofing estimate. If your roof does not yet need to be replaced, it should still be checked annually to ensure there are no loose or missing shingles, clogged gutters, exposed nail heads, granual loss, or disintegrating caulk around pipes and vents. This annual inspection will help prevent the pooling of water, water intrusion, and water damage to your home.
What About the Siding?
Siding damage often happens from the inside out, beginning beneath the surface of the home’s exterior. If not addressed early, consequences such as rot, mold, or mildew can follow. Often, however, it is difficult to notice the effects that commonly come from dry rot or water damage. Particularly when looking to purchase a new home, it is wise to have the siding professionally inspected before buying. Siding damage that is invisible to an untrained eye on the outside could end up costing the buyer thousands upon thousands of dollars in siding repairs or replacement expenses.
Don't Forget Your Gutters
Upkeep of gutters is essential to protect your home for several reasons. First, properly maintained gutters help to prevent basement leaks. A home’s foundation can be very vulnerable to water damage if gutters and downspouts aren’t positioned correctly or cleaned out regularly. Mildew and black mold can form, and the foundation of the entire home may be exposed to undue pressure, possibly leading to support column shift. Secondly, the gutters can help to protect against siding rot. When debris accumulates inside gutters, moisture builds up, and fascia boards and roof framing are exposed to water for long periods of time, which can lead to rotting. Finally, clogged gutters can become a breeding ground for insects like mosquitos. Have your gutters cleaned regularly to prevent these potentially devastating effects from occurring.
In addition to these important ways in which proper maintenance of the exterior of your home protects the integrity of the entire home, exterior maintenance also enhances the curb appeal and value of your home. Hedrick Construction is a full-service roofing and exterior contractor serving the Des Moines, Ames, Huxley, and Ankeny areas. We will install or repair siding, roofing, and gutters for both commercial and residential properties.
Comments