A home can be many things to the people that own it. First and foremost, it is a sanctuary, a place where memories of family life are made, and people can live in comfort and safety. It is also often the most expensive purchase that many people will make in their lives, an investment on which they would like to see a return someday. But it is also a collection of different parts, hardware, and components, all of which need to be properly maintained in order to function.
If you want to make sure you get the most from your home and don’t end up having to finance unnecessary repairs for unexpected damage, maintenance is the key. By taking the time to faithfully complete three simple exterior maintenance chores, you can dramatically reduce the chances of expensive repairs.
1 – Get Energy Efficient Windows
Winters in Michigan can be full of both snow and cold. Insulation is important for retaining heat and energy efficiency. However, good, modern windows can also make a huge difference to just how much you pay for both heating and cooling throughout the year.
Energy Star windows with good efficiency ratings play a big role in preventing heat from radiating out of your home. Unlike your walls, which can be insulated, your windows and doors are “points of vulnerability” for heat and cold leakage that you have to live with if you want to have a nice view or a way out of your home. Energy efficient windows, however, effectively reduce this leakage and prevent your HVAC systems from working too hard and too long.
2 – Don’t Let Trees Touch Your Roof
There’s nothing quite like a grand old tree on your property. However, if you have a very tall tree, one that’s tall enough to let its branches reach your roof, trim those branches. You can either do this yourself or hire someone for the job, but it can be critical to your home maintenance to prevent tree branches from actually coming in contact with your roof.
The reason for this is because that constant contact can, under certain weather conditions, damage the shingles, or even remove them, allowing water to penetrate into your home. Because branches retain moisture, even just constant contact with the roof can expose shingles to water, which can also eventually cause damage, requiring an expensive repair.
3 – Don’t Let Plants Reach Your Siding
Gardens can look beautiful for a home, but, as with tree branches, it’s important to maintain no physical contact between your home’s siding and the plants. Plants coming into contact with siding, or with wooden accents, such as trim, can eventually cause water damage or even wood rot.
Siding is designed to repel moisture and then dry out. However, plants are designed to retain moisture. This can damage both paint and wood, requiring expensive repairs or replacement, when all that was required was some diligent trimming of foliage.
We’re Here To Make It Right
If you have any repairs that you need to be done to your home’s exterior, or just want to improve things and add value to your home, we are the home maintenance contractor that can get the job done. Just contact us here in Ann Arbor, MI and get a free consultation and quote on the plans that you have in mind.
