Seasonal Maintenance Tips to Prevent Home Troubles

Mother Nature has a way of testing even the sturdiest homes. With autumn now upon us, it is a clear reminder that shifting seasons can bring even more significant challenges. Homes well-suited to handle the summer heat may face an entirely different story as the temperatures drop and the precipitation becomes more unforgiving.

The good news is that several seasonal maintenance tips can help your home adapt to changing weather.

Keep reading as we explore some of the best routine maintenance tips for avoiding seasonal home troubles, including:

• Inspecting and treating the cladding
• Cleaning and servicing the HVAC
• Roof inspection and clean
• Inspect the window seals
• Do regular deep cleans inside and out
• Inspect and clean concrete

Treat the Cladding

The home’s cladding must withstand the emergent demands of the changing seasons. Siding that performed satisfactorily during the warm summer may prove inadequate once the freeze/thaw cycle begins. As such, it is essential to paint wood planks and seal brick siding at least every other year to prevent unwanted moisture absorption.

If the cladding deteriorates too severely, upgrading to more durable fiber cement siding may be worthwhile.

Engineered using a combination of sand, portland cement, and cellulose fibers, this innovative cladding can be manufactured in a wide range of styles to closely resemble natural wood or stone.

However, it has few maintenance requirements. It offers elite aesthetics and weather resistance for 50+ years, requiring little more than an annual pressure wash to maintain ongoing performance.

Service the HVAC

The proper function of the HVAC system is crucial for creating a comfortable interior environment in all seasons and preventing potential issues.

Clogged, inefficient, and otherwise damaged HVAC ducts are the source of poor indoor air quality and can increase the risk of an electrical fire. As such, it is critical to change HVAC filters every 3-6 months and have the ducts professionally serviced yearly.

Have the Roof Inspected

As the home’s first line of defense against the elements, the roof is tested, unlike any other area of the house during the changing seasons.

Dead vegetation accumulation in the spring, continued UV exposure during the summer, and increased precipitation during the fall/winter will uniquely challenge the roof.

Therefore, to avoid debilitating roof leaks, it is essential to have the roof inspected yearly.

Professional inspection services can examine all areas of the roof closely, assessing the condition of the most hard-to-reach areas that are not visible at an initial glance.

Get your roof treated and cleaned to extend its life.

Seal the Windows

An airtight building envelope is part of a quality home. One often overlooked aspect of the building envelope is the window-to-wall transitions.

Regardless of how strong the framing and insulation are, degraded window frames can be the path of least resistance through which air and moisture travel.

Therefore, regularly check the condition of the window joints and apply a silicone-based sealant at the transitions as necessary.

If you are still experiencing high utility bills and uncomfortable interior temperatures, performing a blower door test may be worthwhile to locate the exact point of air transfer.

Perform a Deep Clean

Seasonal deep cleans may sound more like housekeeping than home maintenance. However, a change in perspective is needed in this regard.

Clutter and waste limit a home’s functional space and create unnecessary hazards that threaten its integrity.

Piles of clothes and forgotten knickknacks pressed against the wall create a haven for mice. Once they enter a property, everything from insulation to electrical wiring risks being gnawed.

In the era of e-commerce, it can also be challenging to stay ahead of cardboard boxes and other types of delivery packaging. This increases fire hazards within the home. Forgotten food spills and pet accidents increase the risk of staining and can compromise the integrity of the flooring.

By renting a residential dumpster to efficiently remove forgotten debris and hiring a cleaning service to deep clean all flooring, you can guarantee that backlogged housekeeping items do not spiral into more serious concerns.

Fortify Exterior Concrete

Concrete is one of the most prevalent exterior materials. It is used in sidewalks, driveways, patio floors, flower beds, and other permanent landscaping features. Unfortunately, concrete is also quite porous, which can lead to the absorption of leaking car fluids, food spills, and precipitation.

As such, cleaning grease spills with a specialized concrete cleaner and using a sealer to reduce future porosity is essential.

If your concrete is already heavily cracked and stained, it may be worthwhile to consider switching to innovative permeable pavers. This system uses a series of durable plastic substrate grids to hold surface gravel in place.

Pavers are also said to promote optimal drainage while eliminating the rutting and clumping concerns typical of traditional gravel driveways, ensuring consistent aesthetics in all weather conditions.

Summing Up

Prevent significant issues that can be expensive with proactive seasonal maintenance.

As seasons change, homes encounter various challenges that require attention. Maintenance tips include treating cladding, servicing HVAC systems, inspecting roofs, sealing windows, and performing deep cleaning.

By proactively addressing these areas, homeowners can prevent seasonal troubles and ensure their homes remain safe and comfortable year-round.

Explore any routine maintenance tips above to prevent home troubles during seasonal transitions.

For more of the latest home improvement trends, explore the resources at PropertyTalk for ideas and inspiration today!