As the days grow shorter and your thoughts turn to tailgating and football games, it’s easy to forget that the exterior of your home needs a little TLC before Old Man Winter comes calling. By taking care of essential upkeep and repairs now, you’ll be investing in your house.
Home Improvement guru Bob Villa says these are the most common mistakes homeowners make during the Fall months:
Blasting Your Pressure Washer
Pressure washers clear away seasonal buildup of dirt and grime from your siding, but many homeowners blast the water at full force. Excessive water pressure can damage your home’s exterior by forcing moisture under the siding, peeling away paint, or damaging softer materials like cedar. To keep your siding in top shape for winter, fit a pressure washer wand with a wide-spray tip. Start at the top of the siding, and then angle the direction of the water slightly downward. Be sure to use gentle side-to-side motions while cleaning.
Neglecting to Touch Up Your Exterior
Thanks to cooler, more comfortable weather, fall is the perfect time to touch up your home’s exterior. Be sure not to ruin the renewed finish by using the wrong techniques. Select a high-quality exterior paint with an acrylic base, and don’t choose a windy day for the job. If your house doesn’t need an entire paint job, consider touching up bare spots, splits, and board ends to protect them from winter weather.
Reusing Roofing Materials
Winter can wreak havoc on a roof that’s seen better days, so it’s important to make repairs before the colder weather arrives, bringing with it the threat of ice dams and accumulations of snow that can cause structural damage. Many homeowners don’t realize, however, that reusing old roofing materials can sabotage repairs. Although recycling a gutter apron or flashing is a tempting way to save money, used materials (especially metal ones) won’t last as long and can increase the risk of weather damage to the roof. Spring for new materials now so you won’t have to face a worn-out roof later.
Letting Leaves Pile Up in the Gutters
Left to pile up in the gutter, decomposing leaves and debris can block downspouts and trap water. As temperatures drop and the water freezes, these blockages can lead to damage to the house as well as the gutter. To clean out your gutters in preparation for winter, wait until all the leaves have fallen from the trees, and pay special attention to safety. Always use a sturdy ladder and wear shoes with nonslip soles. The ladder should be tall enough so you don’t have to stand on the top rung or overreach, both of which increase the risk of falling. Recruit an assistant who can steady the bottom of the ladder and hand up tools.
Ignoring Sidewalk Cracks
During the winter, melted snow can seep into sidewalk cracks. The water can then refreeze and expand, which creates larger cracks and heaved concrete. On a dry fall day, sweep out all debris and crumbled concrete from the cracks, then fill them with a flexible concrete crack sealer to keep moisture out. For the best results, fill sidewalk cracks when the daytime temperature is above 50 degrees. If it’s too cold, the concrete sealant will not adhere properly, and water seepage can still occur.
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