According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 38 percent of houses in the US were built before 1970, making them more than 52 years old. A wood-frame house with a concrete foundation can last for over a hundred years if it has the proper care and maintenance.
Geography plays a significant role in what homeowners need to anticipate and address when maintaining their property. Here are several tips for property owners to consider when maintaining a home in the country’s southeastern part.
1. Foundation
The foundation is the base of your home. It holds your structure and relies on an even, solid ground to work. The foundation can shift if the soil becomes uneven, leading to cracks. To protect your foundation, you should.
Foundation Maintenance
Keep the surrounding soil moist. That way, the soil doesn’t contract from dryness and shift your foundation. Avoid making the surrounding soil too soppy or soft. Monitor your drainage and ensures that all waters flow away from your house and don’t stagnate.
Repair any plumbing issues, especially if the water leaks into the ground. Avoid planting trees close to the house. Their roots can be as big as their branches, and that can damage your foundation. Keep an eye out for any cracks and immediately fix them.
A fundamental part of your foundation is the space between it and your home, the crawl space. The crawl space is a buffer between the house and the ground below and acts as a support for the living areas above. It usually vents to the outside or an adjoining basement, allowing air to circulate below the house.
Crawl space maintenance requires you to manage moisture levels. Air quality is vital since 50 percent of the air in the house comes from the crawlspace. If it becomes damp, it can lead to health and safety issues for your home. You can use the services of Raleigh crawlspace encapsulation and basement waterproofing company to repair foundation cracks on crawl space walls so water doesn’t seep in.
2. Hurricanes
Tornadoes bring with them high winds, which can cause damage. To protect yourself, family and property, consider installing permanent aluminum or steel storm shutters and a safe room that can withstand the storm.
3. Flooding
You will have to prepare your home for floods. To protect your property from flood damage, you should elevate large appliances ( like your waste and dryer), electrical system components ( like the fuse, circuit breakers, switches, and outlets), water unit, and air conditioning unit. Elevating them will prevent damage and reduce the risk of a short circuit. Elevate them at least a foot above the 100-year flood level as a rule of thumb.
4. Plumbing
Plumbing is an intricate and essential system for any household. It brings freshwater, heats it for washing, distributes water around the house, and removes waste. It’s such a commonplace system that people take it for granted till something goes wrong. Maintaining your plumbing well can avoid common issues like leaks, clogs, or broken and rusted pipes. Some preventative actions you can take include.
Plumbing Maintance
Fixing all leaking faucets and showerheads. The leaks can cost you money in the long run with the water bill, and they can cause water damage. Unclog slow drains before it gets out of hand. You can use vinegar and hot water as a homemade solution to unclog your drains.
Don’t flush anything and everything down the toilet. The only things you should flush are toilet paper and human waste; anything else can clog or damage it. At least once a year, you should drain your water heater of any sediments. The sediments make your heater less effective.
5. Attic
An attic is a space between the roof and the house beneath it. Homeowners use it for storage, so they rarely go up there. But if you don’t regularly carry maintenance on it, it can become an impediment to the safety and comfort of your house.
Attic Maintenance
During the day, walk into the attic and look for light streams through cracks and crevices. The holes can result from weather or aging, and you must fill them out. Go through the attic with a flashlight, carefully inspecting the ceiling and the rafters for any sign of moisture or leakage. Excess water can cause rot and mold.
Look for signs of bugs or small creatures living in your attic, like droppings. Birds, mice, and bats are always eager to nest in a dry, empty space. The insulation may degrade over the years, and you may need to replenish it. Insulation plays an important part in keeping your house warm.
6. Roof
The roof protects against the elements; in the summers, it provides shade; when it rains, it keeps the house dry and keeps any debris from falling into the house. With all the protection it gives, your roof will go through some wear and tear. There are steps you can take to make sure that it last longer.
Roof Maintenance
Clean out your gutters of any debris like leaves and sticks. Your gutters play an important role in capturing water and directing it away from your house structure. Keep tree branches away from the house structure. They may look beautiful for most of the year, but they can cause damage if they come into contact with the structure or break off and fall on the roof during a storm.
Snow is another beauty from nature that can be problematic. The extra weight of the snow can cause your roof to be under strain or collapse. Make sure you remove any excess snow. Roof material is normally robust, but be sure to check for any tiles or shingles that are broken, cracked, or loose. They are the weak link in your roof, and you need to replace them.
Maintain and Repair
Regular maintenance and care of your home can make it last for longer and create a healthy, safe environment to live in. if you make an active effort to prevent water damage, rot, and mold, you will avoid costly repairs in the future. Follow the above tips, and make your home last for longer.