Outdoor home maintenance is something that you’ll want to manage effectively so that it doesn’t get forgotten about. Just like your interior maintenance, your home’s exterior needs plenty of attention too.
From ensuring windows and doors are sealed, to inspecting and maintaining your roof. While it feels like there might be a lot to contend with, by having a list of to-dos, you’ll find yourself getting through it more successfully and with fewer forgotten tasks!
Here’s an ultimate guide to outdoor home maintenance that’s worth knowing when it comes to looking after your home.
- Clean gutters and downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are a crucial part of your home’s security and structure, but a lot of homeowners won’t really pay attention to them.
It’s therefore important that you take notice of your gutter and downspouts to ensure all of them are draining properly.
This includes regularly removing leaves, blockages, and debris, to ensure water is flowing properly and away from the foundations of your home. By clearing these regularly, you’ll help to prevent any water damage.
You should also check for leaks and damage. Make sure to inspect gutters and downspouts for signs of rust, leaks, or cracks. These should be repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.
- Clear the yard of clutter
Clutter in the yard is common when it comes to outdoor home maintenance. If you’ve got children, broken toys and various furniture are likely to be strewn across the yard from time to time.
It’s easy when it’s outdoors to forget what is outside and what clutter might be lying in your yard that is no longer of use.
Take a look at your yard and what might be lying about that’s been forgotten about. Anything that’s salvageable, you could look to upcycle, or donate where appropriate. Clutter in the yard can contribute to pests and vermin making your outdoors a home, so it’s good to stay on top of the rubbish when you can.
- Trim back shrubs and trees
Shrubs and trees are something you want to stay on top of when it comes to outdoor home maintenance, especially where pests are concerned.
Over time, some shrubs and trees can become overgrown and forgotten about. Unless that is, you do some yard work yourself or hire a gardener.
Regardless, you’ll want to trim back any shrubs or trees so that you’re keeping it off your property lines and especially near the foundations of your home. Overhanging trees could lead to pests getting onto the property and into cracks in the roof.
For overgrown shrubs, trimming them back will avoid pests being too close to your home for access.
- Inspect exterior walls for any signs of damage
Exterior walls are important to inspect. Just like you would with your interior walls, you want to make sure that all walls on the outside are checked for any signs of damage.
Look for cracks in the wall, any peeling exterior paint, or signs of moisture damage that may be present. Addressing these issues early will help prevent water from getting through the walls and causing further damage. That means checking the brickwork and re-pointing or repairing it where needed.
Sealing gaps and cracks in the wall from the outside will help to keep pests out of your home, too. Some pests can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps, so it’s good to seal any gaps and cracks you see where possible.
- Store away outdoor furniture and equipment
Outdoor furniture should be stored away in a safe and dry space where possible. This will help prevent any damage being done to your furniture or equipment that’s not waterproof.
Some outdoor furniture might withstand the outdoors, but soft cushions without weatherproofing will need to be stored away.
Equipment like this best leaf blower and other tools, will need to be stored away in a secure container, and these are easy to find in most DIY and hardware stores. It’s also helpful to look at what tools might need a little TLC before being stored away. Tools like trowels and racks would be best cleaned before storing to prevent rust and damage.
- Check out outdoor faucets and pipes
To help keep your exteriors in good health, you’ll want to check outdoor faucets and pipes. During the cooler months, you’ll want to insulate the pipes so that you avoid them freezing and bursting.
Outdoor faucets will want to be tightly secured so that they don’t drip. Again, it might be worth insulating these so that they don’t freeze over and become inoperable when you need them.
It’s a good idea to speak to a plumber and get advice on how to insulate your exterior pipes. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, then it’s best to get a professional to do it for you.
- Hire a gardener to maintain the yard
Finally, if you’re looking to keep on top of your yard but you don’t have the time or want to do the work yourself, then why not hire a gardener? A gardener is a great option to help manage everything that comes with maintaining the outside of your home, for the most part.
You may want someone who is used to doing groundswork, if you’re looking for an odd-jobs person who can do everything from cleaning the gutters, sealing gaps, and mowing the lawn.
Gardeners are in plentiful supply, so they’re definitely something you’ll want to spend your money on in order to keep your outdoor space in good condition. A gardener can be useful for helping maintain the yard throughout the seasons, come rain or shine.
Outdoor home maintenance can be helpful to do in order to keep the interior of your home protected, too. Just like your interiors, outdoor maintenance helps to keep everything in order, so it’s not something you want to ignore or put off for too long. Use these tips to make sure your outdoor space stays in good condition all year round.
