If you’re like many Americans, your home is your most valuable asset. It also is the asset that has the most potential to increase in value over time, that is, if you keep it maintained and in good condition. Some families postpone important home renovations and maintenance tasks which can cause their home to deteriorate and even decline in value. Neglecting these important projects really just costs you more in the long run.
1. Repainting and repairing your fence
A peeling and warped fence is an eyesore and really reduces the curb appeal of your house. Keeping your wooden fence scraped and painted protects it from the elements of nature. Without paint or stain, the wood will rot and decay. If your fence is unfinished consider using a solid color stain to achieve the same look with less maintenance.
The cost of neglecting this project: Replacing the entire fence.
2. Extermination
Some pests that infest homes are more than pesky—they can destroy your home or cause health problems. Many pest problems can be successfully handled by a homeowner, but using an extermination service like http://www.Pestexterminator.com for termites, bedbugs, red ants and other serious infestations is well worth it.
The cost of neglecting this project: Repairing serious structural damage from termites.
3. Cleaning the gutters
Gutters are meant to direct water away from your house, but they can cause serious damage to your house if they are blocked. Gutters often get blocked by leaves and other debris. The weight of the debris can cause the gutters to fall off your house and backed up water can seep into your walls and through your ceiling. With a ladder and some gloves cleaning your gutters is a manageable DIY project.
The cost of neglecting this project: Repairing and replacing fallen gutters, repairing water damage to your home.
4. Pressure washing
The elements of nature quickly get caked on the outside of your home and often green and brown stains form on your driveway and sidewalk. Using a pressure washer to clean your siding, driveway and sidewalks is an effective way to remove these unsightly stains as well as any mold or mildew that has built up.
The cost of neglecting this project: Repainting or replacing your siding, resurfacing your driveway and sidewalk.
5. Fall Lawn maintenance
When your lawn still looks lush going into the fall you might imagine that there isn’t a serious need to aerate, fertilize and reseed. However, when your lawn comes back to life in the spring it will not be as full or green. You might find it weed infested. Fall lawn care, done by a homeowner, or at an affordable cost through a lawn service, will ensure that your lawn is lush and green in the spring
The cost of neglecting this project: Replacing sod, reseeding the entire yard.
These home renovations aren’t the most exciting projects, but they are things that you really need to do if you want to keep your home in good condition. They are a small investment of time and money that will pay off big in helping maintain and even raise the value of your home.
About the Author
An messy lawn can also draw the stinking eye from your neighbors as well. I live in a nice community and everyone talks about it.
You’re right on cleaning the gutters. Leaves and twigs may rot and can cause the damage on the gutter and potential leaks.
Great tips! I will have to bookmark this page because even though I know how necessary these things are for home maintenance, I’m a terrible procrastinator! I’m in the middle of doing my fall yard maintenance, and boy is it a pain, but so worth it. I completely avoided it last year and had so much to do in the spring.
I would have to add periodic cleaning out of the homes drains, either with a drain cleaning compound or a less toxic compound like baking soda and vinegar. Even a once in a while use of a plunger is an easy to do and a reasonable preventative measure. Clogged drains that catch you by surprise can lead to spills of water, or worse, home sewage. Not something you want to mess with, and potentially damaging to wood floors, linoleum or even ceramic tile if the water gets underneath them (they may not have been installed perfectly).
Pressure washing the exterior of the house is a great tip, it’s something that most people don’t even think about doing until their HOA sends them a letter telling them that they will be fined if it’s not done within 30 Days. But, before you power wash your siding, learn how to power wash it the right way, using low pressure and the right house washing soaps to get the job done right!
http://how-to-power-wash.com