Preventive Maintenance for your Home
Posted on September 30, 2013 by bob in MoneyWise
The biggest single investment people normally make is in their house, so it’s prudent to take good care of that investment. Last month we looked at money-saving preventive maintenance ideas related to your car or truck; this month we’ll talk about ideas for that big-ticket item, the house.
What parts of a house require, and will benefit from, regular maintenance and attention? Most of the exterior may be impervious to weather and hold up well over many years. Aside from cosmetic issues, brick, stone, glass, galvanized metal, concrete, vinyl siding and some other materials may be fine on their own for a long time. Wood, however, needs to be examined for rot and other damage periodically and may require paint or stain to be reapplied. In addition, seams and joints often need caulking or sealing every year or two because of weather damage, shrinkage, etc. Failure to deal with these issues in a timely manner can create an avenue for additional damage. Checking the condition of exterior wood and caulked joints annually is a good practice. Postponing needed maintenance typically raises the cost.
The cost of energy to heat and cool your home is not going down. Adding, replacing or improving weather stripping, insulation and passive energy-saving measures can pay off quickly and result in worthwhile savings over the long-run. If you have the skill, doing part of this yourself can save money and make the economics even better, but be sure you know what you’re doing. Hiring a professional, especially for more complex needs, such as blowing insulation into your attic or replacing windows, may be a better bet.
Dealing with pest issues before they become a problem is better than making repairs afterward. Among damaging pests are termites and mice. I have friends near Montgomery who have been at war with squirrels for years. A number of these rodents, which many consider cute, had taken up residence in their attic, chewed through wires, and done other damage. Even after evicting the first batch, others have persisted in trying to occupy their home. Discouraging these crafty pests from overpopulating your yard and invading your house is a worthwhile priority. Among the other pests creating problems and doing damage outside or in, are bees, wasps, bats, raccoons, possums, armadillos, rats and deer.
Roofs are a long-lived aspect of a house, but they’re not permanent. Keep an eye on the ceiling inside your house for signs of water damage which will result if your roof develops a leak. It’s a good idea to walk through your entire house a few times a year and look at the ceiling in every room, including closets. If you have rooms not routinely used or occupied, something could be going on that you are unaware of. Do not wait until the ceiling falls to become aware of a persistent roof leak.
This summer has been unusually wet. Have you noticed any drainage issues in your yard? I discovered a significant ponding issue shortly after buying my first house in Montgomery in 1987, learning in the process that brick is porous—standing water will gradually pass through brick into a house. The solution was to dig a trench and install a drain pipe to route the standing water to the front yard.
If you have heavy water runoff from your roof, installing gutters may prevent damage from erosion. Gutters may also need to be cleaned of leaf clutter annually or have a protective screen installed to avoid accumulation. In any event, identifying and resolving drainage issues, including erosion and ponding, is less expensive if handled sooner than later.
Next month we’ll look at issues associated more with interior maintenance of your home. Until then, take a look around the outside and see what you need to take care of during the pleasant fall season before the gray winter weather settles in.
Alan Wallace, CFA, ChFC, CLU is a Senior Financial Advisor for Ronald Blue & Co.’s Montgomery office, www.ronblue.com/location-al. He can be reached at 334-270-5960, or by e-mail at alan.wallace@ronblue.com. NOTE: Ronald Blue & Co.’s new offices are located at RSA Dexter Avenue Building, 445 Dexter Ave., Suite 8075, Montgomery, AL 36104.
