The outside of the home is the first thing that someone sees as they enter your house. You only get one chance at a first impression, so you want to ensure that the outside of your property invites guests in. Not only is your home’s exterior important in terms of aesthetics, but it is also vital to the protection of your property. So, how can you guarantee that your house’s exterior is in top condition?
Inspect Your Home
Some issues with your home’s exterior will be noticed by a quick glance, however, you should make a habit of performing a thorough inspection on a yearly basis. Your property’s exterior is most prone to weather damage and leaving such untreated can lead to real issues in the future. For example, rain may penetrate through pointing, wind can damage structural integrity, and the sun can fade and weaken your brickwork.
Check The Roof
One of the most important components of a property’s exterior is the roof. You should regularly inspect your roof for broken or missing slates and tiles, as well as the flashing around your chimney. If you have a loft or attic, it is also a good idea to check the underside of your roof for leaks, damp spots, or damage to the roof covering.
Check Gutters and Pipes
All guttering should be regularly cleared of debris to ensure that they are fully functioning. Not only can build-up in your gutters result in them not properly working and causing damage, but it can also cause an unpleasant smell. This can also result in moss growth and the development of damp which can be detrimental to the structural integrity of your pipes.
Check Your Walls
You should check the base of your building to guarantee that it is strong enough to withstand any potential problems. Similarly, you should make sure that your walls are free of cracks and loose bricks or stonework. Your walls should also be properly ventilated so that they are unable to absorb moisture which can cause their strength to deplete.
Check Your Doors and Windows
Whilst checking your exterior walls, you should also inspect your exterior doors and windows. To be completely effective, they will need to be properly sealed within the walls to ensure complete safety and security. Furthermore, certain materials can rot and rotting window or door frames will need to be repaired or replaced.
Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
When it comes to inspecting your home’s exterior, you will need to work at quite a height when it comes to your gutters or roofs. In these cases, you may want to hire trained professionals for more refined and secure results. Multiple companies such as North East Access Training provides safety training for those working at height. You can be sure that anyone you hire will have undergone this necessary training.
What Precautions Can You Take?
There are steps that you can take to prevent damage to your home’s exterior that are neither difficult nor time-consuming. For example, you can guarantee that your home is properly ventilated by opening windows and doors and turning on extractor fans when necessary. This will prevent the build-up of moisture which can cause damp, mold, and rot, which can be damaging to both the inside and outside of your walls.
Conclusion
Your home is your haven meaning that it must be well looked after from the inside out. Not only is this important to your comfort, but also to the safety and cost of your home. An annual inspection will allow you to detect small defects before they turn into huge problems.
