Exterior Home Maintenance

Roofs-Annual Maintenance

• Shingle Roofs – Check for loose, damaged or missing shingles. Make sure to check ridge areas, or areas where downspouts from upper roofs discharge onto a lower roof. Replace or repair any missing or damaged shingles.
• Flat Roofs – Check for blisters, bubbles, bald areas and open seams. If roof is gravel or tar, check for areas of gravel erosion.
• Tile Roofs – Check for loose or broken tiles. Replace if broken, repair if loose.
• Check all roof penetrations for signs of deteriorated installation and possible source of water leaks.
• Check roof flashing for any damage.
• Cut back any tree branches from roof to avoid damage to roof surface.

Chimney -6 Months Maintenance

• Inspect outside of chimney for any damaged or loose bricks, stones, and deteriorated or cracked mortar joints. Stucco, look for cracks or loose sections.
• Inspect interior of chimney for soot buildup.
• Check chimney flashings for leakage.
• Check chimney caps for any loose or broken sections; also check for obstructions, such as bird nests.
• Inspect metal chimneys for rust, missing rain caps and loose braces.

Eaves –Annual Maintenance

• Check soffits and fascia for loose and rotted areas and water stains. Repair where necessary.

Gutter System – Maintenance Every 3 Months

• Check for any damaged gutters, hangers and downspouts.
• Remove debris in gutters and downspouts.
• Tighten loose mountings.
• Check gutter alignment to ensure rainwater collects properly and drains away from house.
• Repair or caulk holes. Replace any sections that have excessive rust.

Grading -Annual Maintenance

• Inspect for signs of termites or other pest infestation in areas near the foundation.
• Check grading to ensure drainage away from the house. Recommended: 1-inch drop per foot for first 6 feet away from structure.

Exterior Walls-Annual Maintenance

• Stucco Walls, check for cracking and separating.
• Wood Walls, check for rot, loose or damaged wood, caulking and wood/soil contact. If paint deterioration is a result of blistering or bubbling, you must determine the cause.
• Masonry Walls, check for deteriorated brick and mortar voids.
• Metal or Vinyl, check for loose or missing components.
• All Walls, check for settling, buckling and any other evidence of movement.

Trim-Annual Maintenance

• Check all trim for paint condition and fit.

Vegetation -3 Months Maintenance

• Keep all vegetation clear of wall surface by 6 inches

Windows and Doors-Annual Maintenance

• Check for broken glass or damaged screens.
• Clean screens.
• Check weather stripping for tight fit. Replace if damaged.
• Check caulking where window, door and trim intersect with wall surfaces.
• Check all door hardware and lubricate if needed.
• Remove any debris from all foundation window wells.
• Overhead Garage Doors, keep tracks clean, lubricate hinges, rollers, wheels or ball bearings with oil or powdered graphite when in down position.

Porches and Decks- 6 Months Maintenance

• Check all components for any damage or rot and any insect infestation.
• Check railings and steps for stability and loose components.

Grounds and Yard-Annual Maintenance

• Check all driveways and sidewalks for cracking, settling or uplifting. These conditions may be a safety hazard and others may direct surface water to the structure. Determine cause and correct as needed.
• Check retaining walls, fences and other wood structures for any damage, rot or insect infestations.

Structure Home Maintenance

Wood Framing-Annual Maintenance

• Check all exposed wood structural components for any evidence of rot or insect infestation. This is usually only possible to observe in the crawl spaces. Pay special attention to kitchen and bathroom areas, or any other area where water could enter.

Surface Cracks-Wall and Ceiling-Annual Maintenance

• Check walls and ceilings for evidence of water stains. Determine cause and repair.
• Check all interior walls and ceilings for surface cracks. Minor cracks due to normal structure settling and shrinkage are to be anticipated. Larger cracks that get larger from year to year may mean significant movement.
• Check behind blinds, closets, and other areas for evidence of fungus or condensation. This may mean high humidity levels or moisture penetration.