Your Exterior Home Remodeling Plan

The exterior of your home is impacted by inclement weather and the harsh rays of the sun, and features like the roof, windows, and siding will eventually start to show their age.

With the right amount of attention paid to maintenance and upkeep, these features should last many years – or even decades – however, most exterior features will reach a point where replacement is the best option.

Here are some tips on keeping the exterior of your home in nice condition, as well as choosing the best time to conduct exterior home remodeling.

Maintenance Tasks for Your Home Exterior

You might have a gardener visit once or twice a month to take care of your landscaping, and you might pay a neighborhood kid to mow your lawn once a week, but there are some other tasks you might want to add to your schedule regarding your home’s exterior.

For example, it’s important to keep an eye on the gutters to your home. You’ll want to set up an appointment to take a look at your gutters each season, so you can find any leaks, clogs, or holes before they impact the foundation of your home.

HGTV shares:

“Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.”

Your gutters aren’t a particularly complicated feature of your home, but it’s essential to make sure they remain in excellent condition because water that isn’t caught and filtered away from your home by the gutters can create severe damage.

Other areas of your home’s exterior that you may want to inspect and clean include:

The eaves of your home. You may be able to identify roof damage if you see water stains at the top of your exterior walls, under the eaves of the home. You may also want to examine the vents under the eaves to see if any of them is clogged or covered with animal nests. Sometimes rodents and birds can block vents in your attic, which can lead to ventilation problems and ice buildup in the winter on the roof.

The roof. From a safe spot on the ground, you can examine your home’s roof and see if there are any loose shingles or worn shingles that might require attention. You’ll also want to arrange a professional inspection at least once a year. You should be able to see overt wear and damage, but the professional inspection will feature an up-close look that may find issues you couldn’t see from the ground.

The flu and chimney. The idea of hiring a chimney sweep probably sounds like something out of “Mary Poppins,” but it’s a good idea to get your chimney cleaned at least once a year by a professional. Deposits will build up in your chimney after you use it, and those deposits can become a fire hazard when they’re not cleaned out each year.

The HVAC system. Your heating system may run frequently in the winter, and you might use air conditioners often in the summer. Living in a place with cold winters and hot summers means your heating and cooling system is put to work almost every single day. Make sure you’re not paying more than you need to for heating and cooling by getting an inspection of the air conditioning unit outside your home.

The windows. An old home might feature window frames that are a few hundred years old, but many new homes don’t have windows that were built to last centuries. If your windows are letting in cold drafts and they’re not an antique feature on the home you wish to preserve, you may need to look at window replacement or renovation.

Exterior Home Remodeling Projects to Consider This Spring

The winter will eventually lose its grip on Indiana, and spring is the ideal time to get started on exterior remodeling projects. You’ll want to arrange a meeting with your contractor to plan your remodeling adventure and figure out what your budget will accommodate, as well as the most necessary repairs or upgrades you will need for your home.

Questions you may want to ask yourself as you start planning include:

  • Would your home benefit from upgraded engineered wood siding?
  • Is your roof old enough that a new roof would make the most sense, financially?
  • Is it possible to salvage your gutters or do they require replacement?
  • Has your home sustained storm damage over the winter that requires repairs?
  • Would you like to add skylights to your home during the roofing work?

With a full inspection of your home’s exterior, your contractor may be able to point out other areas of your home that could benefit from upgrades, renovations, or full replacement. There are usually a few different options for each project, and you can create a remodeling plan that fits your budget, schedule, and the condition of your home.

Plan Your Exterior Home Remodeling with Gettum Home Exteriors

If you know your gutters need some work, or you’re worried about your roof meeting the demands of another year, get in contact Gettum Associates, Inc., and make sure to download our free eBook: Seven Questions to Ask When Choosing a Remodeler in the Indianapolis Area.

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