Spring is upon is here in Omaha, so today we’re going to talk about the upcoming weather conditions and how it relates to the exterior of your home. We are going to take a look at one of our model homes today and show you some things you can do to make sure your home is fresh and ready for the year ahead.
One of the most important things to pay attention to is the caulking and sealing of your driveway. We use self-leveling caulk, which most hardware stores carry. To reseal your driveway, follow these steps:
1. Cut the caulking bag open.
2. Load it into a caulking gun.
3. Clean out all of your control joints
4. Slowly apply the caulk in 2-foot sections.
5. After applying, spread evenly by using your finger (make sure to have a rag handy).
Another important part of your home that may get overlooked are your downspout extensions. These extensions carry the rain and melted snow from your roof down away from the foundation. If they break off at the connection, they will drain right into your foundation and just recycle the water back into your sump pit. It’s important that your downspout flows away from your home.
There are a few things to keep an eye out for on the sides of your home’s exterior. On one side, you will have your A/C as well as a furnace exhaust pipe and a furnace intake pipe. For the exhaust, make sure the area where the tubes meet with the house is sealed and caulked tightly. For your air conditioner, give it a light spray from the hose to make sure there aren’t any cotton or dust particles in there.
Settling is another thing that gets overlooked often. To remedy any uneven or low surfaces on the ground outside of your home, pull the sod up, add some dirt in underneath, and pull the sod back over. Any low-lying areas next to your home could be holding water that could ruin your foundation and cause your basement to flood.
The home in the video above has vinyl siding, but a lot of our homes have either LP or Hardboard siding. Regardless of the type, there is going to be some caulking you will need to maintain periodically.
It’s important to check all of these things periodically throughout the year to avoid costly repairs and maintain your home’s value. Watch the video to learn even more tips! If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!
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