If you are like a lot of homeowners, you occasionally put off routine home maintenance for one reason or another. In the winter, it’s too cold. Then summer arrives and you are too busy. Then factor in unexpected cost considerations. If you don’t make time for your home exterior, you may notice that your home does not feel as comfortable or safe as it used to. In fact, it could even make you sick. Here are a few things you can do to keep your home healthy and beautiful.
Is Your Home Exterior Making You Sick?
Your home’s exterior is more than a haven of safety with a beautiful look. It also keeps many of the harmful effects of the environment from getting inside. If your home needs some upkeep and repairs, it cannot achieve the same level of healthiness for the residents. In particular, flaws in your home’s structure can lead to:
- Mold growth from leaks
- Pest infestations from clogged gutters and gaps in insulation
- Dust and allergen accumulation from damaged roofing
If you suffer from headaches, your allergies are getting worse, or you are starting to notice signs of pests, you may need to take action.
How to Promote a Healthy Home Environment
Seal air leaks
You may have hundreds of air leaks in your home. These leaks allow water, dust, allergens, and sometimes even pests to enter inside. Sealing these leaks might cost a few hundred dollars, especially if you have let it go a long time. In exchange for the effort, you can have better control over your indoor air quality, and you may even notice an improvement in your energy bills.
Clear gutters
Clogged gutters make it harder for your home to remove precipitation, leading to pooling water that can gradually ruin your roof. Even worse, pests sometimes build nests in the leaves and debris, contributing to insect or rodent problems. Gutter cleaning does not typically cost very much, and it’s usually a lot less than hiring an exterminator or replacing your roof. In return, you can keep your roof in better condition and avoid turning your home into a breeding ground for bacteria and diseases.
Fix roof leaks
Roof leaks contribute directly to water damage in your home, which can cost thousands of dollars to mitigate. Over time, moisture in the walls can turn to mold, which could cause headaches and respiratory issues. Fixing your roofing ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the repair extent, but it’s nothing compared to dealing with a flare-up of asthma or allergies that make you miserable.
Clean windows and siding
Keeping your siding and windows clean is more than an issue of curb appeal. Over time, the buildup of dirt, grime, and even algae can cause problems to your health. Dirty windows and caked siding can also hide bigger problems, like a pest infestation. Paying a few hundred dollars each year to pressure wash your home exterior can help you see your home in its true condition, so you can take action to fix problems when they arise.
Keeping your home in great condition can help you maintain your health as well as your property value. By performing routine home maintenance tasks, you can minimize your risk of mold growth, pest infestations, and poor indoor air quality.
Author bio: Ricky Salyers is the founder of Lane’s Contracting, a top-quality roofing, siding, and window replacement services company dedicated to providing reliable and professional solutions. Established in 2005, Lane’s Contracting serves the greater Raleigh and Fayetteville, NC areas.
SOURCES
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rY-mvrFFdd_50GYvs1mSs4D_4Cr-4mui/view
https://washmyhouse.org/keeping-your-home-exterior-clean/
https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-fix-leaky-roof.htm
https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-caulk.htm
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-gutter-cleaning-cost.htm
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-pressure-wash-house.htm
