Owning a home in Omaha brings a lot of joy and pride, but it also comes with many responsibilities. One of the most crucial aspects of homeownership is maintaining the exterior of your house. If you're not regularly painting, repairing, caulking, and power washing your home's exterior, you could face several problems that could turn your dream home and investment into a costly nightmare.
Maintaining your home can be overwhelming and potentially costly. However, these costs can triple if regular maintenance is not done.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we have seen the consequences of neglecting exterior home maintenance firsthand. With nearly 30 years of experience serving homeowners in Omaha, we understand the challenges that the outside of homes face. From harsh winters to humid summers, the exterior of your home takes a beating year-round. Our team of professionals is dedicated to helping you keep your home in top shape, ensuring it remains beautiful and protected for years to come.
In this article, we will explore the importance of maintaining your home's exterior and the potential problems that can arise if you don't. You'll learn about the benefits of regular exterior painting, repairs, caulking, and power washing, as well as actionable steps to protect your investment. By the end of this article, you'll better understand how to keep your home looking its best and how to prevent costly damage before it’s too late.
What Could Go Wrong Without Exterior Home Maintenance
1. Peeling Paint and Deteriorating Siding
One of the most obvious signs of exterior home neglect is deteriorating paint and siding. Peeling paint not only looks unsightly but also exposes the underlying materials to the elements. In Omaha, where weather conditions can be extreme, this exposure can lead to rotting wood, rusting metal, and other forms of damage. Regular exterior painting is essential to protect your home from moisture, sun damage, and other environmental factors.
2. Structural Exterior House Damage
Cracks in the walls, foundation, or siding are more than just cosmetic issues. They can indicate underlying structural problems that need immediate attention. Water can seep into these cracks, causing further damage and even compromising the structural integrity of your home. Regular inspections and timely repairs are crucial to prevent minor issues from turning into major disasters.
3. Mold and Mildew Growth on Your Home’s Exterior
Omaha's humid climate can create the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to thrive. These fungi not only affect the appearance of your home but also pose health risks to your family. Mold spores can cause respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Regular power washing helps remove mold, mildew, and dirt, keeping your home clean and safe.
4. Pest Infestations
Neglected exteriors can attract pests like termites, ants, and rodents. These pests can cause significant damage to your home, gnawing through wood, wiring, and insulation. Regular maintenance, including sealing cracks and holes, can help prevent pests from entering your home and causing costly damage.
5. Decreased Property Value
The exterior of your home is the first thing people see, and a well-maintained exterior creates a positive first impression. On the other hand, a neglected exterior can decrease your home's curb appeal and, ultimately, its market value. Potential buyers may be deterred by the idea of extensive repairs, leading to lower offers or even difficulty selling your home.
6. Increased Energy Costs
Gaps, cracks, and deteriorating materials can lead to poor insulation, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder. This results in higher energy bills and a less comfortable living environment. Regular maintenance, including proper caulking and sealing, can improve your home's energy efficiency and reduce costs.
The Benefits of Regular Maintenance
1. Protecting Your Home Investment
Your home is likely one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Regular maintenance helps protect this investment by preventing damage and extending the life of your home's exterior. By addressing minor issues promptly, you can avoid costly repairs down the line.
2. Enhancing Curb Appeal
A well-maintained exterior enhances your home's curb appeal, making it more attractive to visitors and potential buyers. Fresh paint, clean siding, and a well-kept yard create a positive impression and reflect your pride of ownership.
3. Ensuring Safety and Health
Regular maintenance helps ensure the safety and health of your family. By keeping your home free of mold, pests, and structural issues, you create a safer and healthier living environment.
4. Saving Money on Your Home
While regular maintenance requires an investment of time and money, it can save you more money in the long run. Preventative measures are often less expensive than major repairs, and maintaining your home's energy efficiency can reduce utility costs.
How To Maintain Your Home’s Exterior
1. Schedule Regular Inspections
Conduct regular inspections of your home's exterior to identify any signs of damage or wear. Pay close attention to areas prone to moisture, such as the roof, gutters, and around windows and doors.
2. Invest in a Quality Paint Job
Invest in a high-quality exterior paint job that is designed to withstand the elements. A high-quality exterior paint job includes:
- A detailed prep work process: Power-washing, taping and putting plastic on necessary areas, scraping peeling paint off, siding repairs, caulking gaps and holes, priming, and spraying the exterior.
- A high-quality paint: It’s important to remember that paint is not just paint. Paint comes in different colors, sizes, and prices.
- A good exterior painting warranty: While hiring a painter for your exterior painting project, you should consider the painting warranty. Some painters do not offer a warranty, while some offer up to 9 years. A good warranty will include yearly touch-ups so you aren’t left handling it yourself.
In the long run, you will need to regularly repaint your home, every 5-15 years. The length of time will depend on the quality of the paint and the prep work that was done on the house already. Exterior painting your home will protect it from moisture, sun damage, and other environmental factors.
3. Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior Twice a Year
Regularly power wash your home's exterior to remove dirt, mold, and mildew. This not only improves the appearance of your home but also helps prevent damage.
4. Seal and Caulk Your Home Once a Year
Check for gaps, cracks, and holes in your home's exterior and seal them with appropriate caulking materials. This helps prevent water and pests from entering your home.
5. Address Exterior Repairs Quickly
Be sure to address any necessary repairs to your exterior. Whether it's fixing a crack, replacing damaged siding, or repairing a roof leak, timely repairs can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.
Maintaining the Exterior Of Your Home
Neglecting your home's exterior maintenance can lead to a handful of problems, from costly structural damage to long-term decreased property value. By understanding the importance of regular painting, repairs, caulking, and power washing, you can protect your investment and ensure your home remains beautiful and safe for as long as you own it.
Brush & Roll Painting, a high-quality home painting company in Omaha, is here to help guide you through the process, providing expert advice and services to keep your home in top condition.
If you considering investing in exterior painting, you deserve the best painter for the project. Next, download the ultimate guide to hiring a painter, so you can be prepared for when you are ready to protect your home and get a fresh exterior paint job.
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