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Exterior Maintenance Mastery

Roof, siding, gutters, and everything outside your walls

10 Articles • 75 min read

Protect your biggest investment. Your home's exterior is the first line of defense against the elements. Proper maintenance prevents costly repairs and keeps your home looking great for decades.

1. Seasonal Maintenance Calendar

🌸 Spring (March-May)

  • Inspect roof for winter damage
  • Clean gutters and downspouts
  • Check grading around foundation
  • Power wash siding and deck
  • Inspect and repair deck/patio
  • Caulk and seal where needed
  • Service lawn mower
  • Prune trees and shrubs
  • Inspect exterior paint

☀️ Summer (June-August)

  • Inspect and clean AC condenser
  • Check attic ventilation
  • Repair/repaint as needed
  • Seal driveway cracks
  • Trim vegetation from house
  • Clean and maintain deck
  • Check window screens
  • Inspect foundation for cracks

🍂 Fall (September-November)

  • Clean gutters (before and after leaves)
  • Inspect roof before winter
  • Seal driveway and walkways
  • Check weatherstripping
  • Drain and store hoses
  • Winterize outdoor faucets
  • Store outdoor furniture
  • Apply fall fertilizer
  • Drain irrigation system

❄️ Winter (December-February)

  • Remove snow from roof (if heavy)
  • Prevent ice dams
  • Check for icicles
  • Inspect attic for ice dam damage
  • Clear gutters of ice
  • Keep walkways clear
  • Monitor foundation for settling

2. Roof Inspection & Maintenance

Biannual Roof Inspection Checklist

Inspect your roof from the ground with binoculars in spring and fall:

What to Look For:

  • Missing, cracked, or curling shingles
  • Damaged flashing around chimneys and vents
  • Sagging areas
  • Granules in gutters (asphalt shingle wear)
  • Moss or algae growth
  • Damaged or missing ridge caps
  • Vent damage

Roof Lifespan by Material

Material Expected Life Maintenance Level
Asphalt shingles 15-30 years Low-Medium
Metal roofing 40-70 years Low
Clay/concrete tiles 50-100 years Medium
Slate 75-200 years Low
Wood shakes 20-40 years High

⚠️ Safety First

Never walk on your roof unless you have proper training and safety equipment. Hire a professional for any roof work. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries and deaths every year.

DIY Roof Maintenance (From Ground)

  • Trim overhanging branches (prevents damage and moss)
  • Remove debris with leaf blower
  • Clean gutters to prevent backups
  • Install zinc or copper strips to prevent moss

When to Call a Roofer

  • Any leak or water stain inside
  • Missing or damaged shingles
  • Sagging roof deck
  • Storm damage
  • Roof over 20 years old (schedule inspection)
  • Heavy moss growth

3. Gutter Cleaning & Repair

Why Gutter Maintenance Matters

Clogged gutters cause:

  • Foundation damage ($4,000-12,000 to fix)
  • Basement flooding
  • Rotted fascia boards ($500-1,500 to replace)
  • Landscape erosion
  • Roof leaks and ice dams
  • Pest infestations

How Often to Clean Gutters

  • Minimum: Twice per year (spring and fall)
  • With trees nearby: 3-4 times per year
  • Heavy tree cover: Monthly during fall

DIY Gutter Cleaning Steps

  1. Safety first: Use stable ladder, have someone spot you, never overreach
  2. Remove debris: Scoop out leaves and debris with gutter scoop or gloved hands
  3. Flush with hose: Spray toward downspouts to clear remaining debris
  4. Check downspouts: Ensure water flows freely. Use plumber's snake if clogged
  5. Inspect: Look for rust, holes, loose brackets, or sagging sections
  6. Repair: Seal small holes, tighten brackets, replace damaged sections

Gutter Repair & Improvement

Seal Leaking Gutter Seams

Cost: $5-15 | Time: 30 min

  1. Clean area thoroughly and let dry
  2. Apply gutter sealant to inside seam
  3. Smooth with finger
  4. Let cure 24 hours before rain

Fix Sagging Gutters

Cost: $10-30 | Time: 1 hour

  1. Add new gutter brackets every 24 inches
  2. Ensure slope: 1/4 inch per 10 feet toward downspout
  3. Replace damaged brackets

Gutter Guards: Worth It?

Cost: $7-30 per foot installed

Pros: Reduce cleaning frequency, prevent clogs, extend gutter life

Cons: Expensive, still need occasional cleaning, some types don't work well

Verdict: Worth it if you have many trees, hate climbing ladders, or have a tall house

4. Siding Care & Repair

Siding Maintenance by Type

Vinyl Siding

Maintenance: Wash annually with soap and water

Lifespan: 20-40 years

  • Never use pressure washer above 1,500 PSI
  • Spray from side, never upward (water gets behind siding)
  • Use soft brush for stubborn dirt
  • Replace cracked panels before water damage occurs

Wood Siding

Maintenance: Paint every 4-7 years, stain every 2-3 years

Lifespan: 20-40 years with proper maintenance

  • Inspect annually for rot, especially near ground
  • Caulk gaps and cracks immediately
  • Keep vegetation 12 inches away
  • Prime and paint or stain exposed wood immediately

Fiber Cement (Hardie Board)

Maintenance: Paint every 10-15 years

Lifespan: 50+ years

  • Wash annually
  • Caulk gaps
  • Touch up chips to prevent moisture penetration

Brick

Maintenance: Repoint mortar every 25-30 years

Lifespan: 100+ years

  • Inspect mortar joints for cracks
  • Remove efflorescence (white deposits) with brush
  • Check for spalling (brick surface flaking)

Power Washing Best Practices

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use 1,200-1,500 PSI for siding (3,000 PSI for concrete only)
  • Keep nozzle 12-18 inches from surface
  • Work from top to bottom
  • Never spray upward (forces water behind siding)
  • Test in inconspicuous area first
  • Close all windows and doors

5. Windows & Doors

Annual Window Maintenance

  • Inspect caulking around frames (replace if cracked)
  • Check weatherstripping (replace if worn)
  • Clean weep holes (small holes at bottom of frame)
  • Lubricate tracks and hardware
  • Tighten loose screws
  • Check for condensation between panes (indicates seal failure)

Door Maintenance

Sticking Doors

  1. Identify where door sticks
  2. Tighten hinges if loose
  3. Plane or sand high spots
  4. Lubricate hinges with WD-40

Replace Door Weatherstripping

Cost: $10-30 | Time: 30 min | Savings: $50-150/year

  1. Remove old weatherstripping
  2. Clean door jamb
  3. Measure and cut new weatherstripping
  4. Install with adhesive backing or small nails
  5. Test door closes properly

6. Foundation & Grading

Proper Grading

Ground should slope AWAY from foundation:

  • Minimum slope: 6 inches drop over 10 feet
  • Why it matters: Prevents water from pooling at foundation
  • Poor drainage causes: Foundation cracks, basement flooding, mold

Foundation Inspection

Walk around your home twice a year looking for:

  • New cracks (hairline cracks are normal, wide cracks are not)
  • Horizontal cracks (more serious than vertical)
  • Bowing or leaning walls
  • Gaps between foundation and ground
  • Standing water near foundation
  • Doors or windows that stick

⚠️ When to Worry About Cracks

Call a foundation specialist if cracks are:

  • Wider than 1/4 inch
  • Horizontal
  • Getting larger over time
  • Accompanied by door/window problems
  • Stair-step pattern in brick

7. Driveway & Walkways

Asphalt Driveway Maintenance

Maintenance Schedule:

  • Annually: Sweep and clean
  • Every 1-2 years: Fill cracks
  • Every 2-3 years: Sealcoat

Seal Asphalt Driveway

Cost: $100-200 (DIY) | Time: 4-6 hours | Lifespan extension: 5-10 years

  1. Clean thoroughly (power wash and dry)
  2. Fill cracks with crack filler
  3. Apply sealer with squeegee or brush
  4. Apply second coat after 24 hours
  5. Keep cars off for 48 hours

Best time: Late spring/early summer when temps are 50-85°F

Concrete Maintenance

  • Seal every 2-3 years
  • Clean oil stains immediately
  • Fill small cracks promptly
  • Don't use deicing salts (causes surface damage)
  • Resurface when heavily pitted

8. Deck & Patio Maintenance

Wood Deck Annual Maintenance

  1. Spring cleaning: Power wash (1,200 PSI max)
  2. Inspect: Check for rot, loose boards, protruding nails
  3. Repairs: Replace damaged boards, tighten screws
  4. Sand: Smooth rough areas
  5. Seal/Stain: Every 2-3 years (annually in harsh climates)

Signs Your Deck Needs Attention

  • Wood is splintering
  • Boards are cupping or warping
  • Railing is wobbly
  • Stairs feel spongy
  • Posts are loose or rotting at base
  • Ledger board pulling away from house

💡 Extend Deck Life

  • Keep debris swept off (traps moisture)
  • Move planters and furniture regularly
  • Trim vegetation touching deck
  • Ensure good drainage underneath
  • Never let snow pile up on deck

9. Landscaping for Home Protection

Vegetation Clearance Zones

  • 0-6 inches from foundation: Nothing (bare ground or mulch)
  • 6-24 inches: Low groundcover only
  • 2-4 feet: Small shrubs OK
  • 5+ feet: Trees and large shrubs

Tree Maintenance

Trees Too Close to House?

Trees should be at least 10-20 feet from house (further for large trees).

Risks of trees too close:

  • Branches damage roof in storms
  • Roots crack foundation
  • Leaves clog gutters
  • Shade causes moss/mold
  • Pest highway to house

Annual Tree Care:

  • Trim branches 10+ feet from house and roof
  • Remove dead or diseased branches
  • Hire arborist for large trees
  • Check for signs of disease or pests

10. Pest Prevention

Seal Entry Points

  • Caulk gaps around pipes and wires
  • Install door sweeps
  • Screen vents and chimneys
  • Seal cracks in foundation
  • Install weatherstripping
  • Repair torn screens

Eliminate Attractions

  • Fix moisture problems (termites love moisture)
  • Store firewood 20+ feet from house
  • Clean gutters (mosquito breeding ground)
  • Trim vegetation from house
  • Remove standing water
  • Keep trash cans sealed and away from house

Protect Your Investment

Regular exterior maintenance prevents expensive repairs and keeps your home beautiful. Create a seasonal checklist and tackle a few tasks each month. Your future self will thank you!

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