Winter is unarguably the harshest season Mother Nature and her host planet Earth throw us. While some areas, like Florida, Southern California, and Texas almost never experience significant economic damage from winter storms, their northern United States of America counterparts certainly do cost the American economy tens of billions of dollars each year.
Though storms during other seasons cause more damage than their winter counterparts—think Hurricanes Maria, Harvey, and Irma of 2017. Still, winter storms are unarguably costly. Here are five projects that every homeowner should consider carrying out after winter’s passed.
Fix Any Damaged Shingles
Repairing an entire roof is unarguably a tall order, but replacing isolated cases of ugly shingles isn’t that difficult. Potential home buyers will undoubtedly take a thorough look around your home’s exterior, and just one or two bad shingles could have serious implications.
Check Your Exterior Walls’ Paint
Paint isn’t cheap, and painting certainly isn’t enjoyable. However, paint is one of the first things visitors, neighbors, and potential homebuyers see. Chips and cracks in exterior walls’ paint jobs could signify your home’s exterior needs help with sealing out moisture, structural damage, and even lower utility costs. While it is possible to just paint over cracks, chips, and other exterior paint imperfections, doing so can result in a finish with unmatched colors, splotches, and runs.
Look into New Caulking
Caulk is a sealant that serves as a barrier between your home’s tiniest cracks and the conditioned air—hot and cold, like—it creates. It’s typically used around windows, basements, doors, and any other openings that might exchange air or organisms between indoors and out.
Fortunately, a caulk gun—an applicator—doesn’t cost much, nor does a top-notch tube of sealant. While caulking likely won’t boost true curb appeal, it will make your home look cleaner, if applied appropriately, and if old, tacky, unsightly sealant is removed.
Get Trees Trimmed
Wind, hail, snow, rain, and sleet all harm trees. Even if you didn’t experience a major storm, tree services are affordable, and consistently improve curb appeal.
Winter’s Gone—Time to Clear Gutters
Who wants to work outside during winter? Gutters often get clogged during colder months, making March and April the most common times to clean them. Cleaning gutters ties loose ends on your house, makes it look cleaner, and can improve perceived value in your home.
Home improvement isn’t always easy, but these five jobs are. Get ready for the real estate market upswing this summer—like every summer—and knock these tasks out as soon as possible.
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