Your home’s exterior is the first line of defence against the elements. Keeping it in good condition can be key to preventing drafts, leaks and pest infestations. The state of your exterior also impacts your home’s curb appeal, which in turn affects the value of your home. This could be important to consider if you’re thinking of selling your home in the near future.
Of course, no building’s exterior is immaculate - some damage is
inevitable and certain types of ageing may even add to a property’s
character. Knowing when exterior damage teeters over into worrisome is
important so that you know exactly when to invest in repairs. Ignore
this damage for too long, and could lead to even more serious problems.
This post explains exactly when to think about fixing up different parts
of your home’s exterior.
Roof
Roofs are the most important part of your home’s exterior. There are a few obvious signs that repairs are needed such as leaks, visible holes/cracking in the roof, or sagging. Other forms of damage can go under the radar until they become more serious. The warning signs that a roof needs fixing depend very much on the type of roofing material. With asphalt roofs, look out for problems like granule loss - if the gutter is full of asphalt granules, it could be a sign that the roof is disintegrating and needs replacing. With metal roofs, be wary of rust and visible corrosion. When it comes to wooden roofs, look out for rot and warping. A roofing company can inspect the damage and tell you if repairs are recommended.
Windows
When windows get damaged, they can let in water and drafts, and potentially even become an easy entrypoint for burglars. Cracked glass is an obvious red flag - you should replace broken panes of glass as soon as you notice them. If you’ve got double-glazed units and they’ve fogged up, this is meanwhile a sign that the unit’s seal has failed and moisture has got in - repair this so that insulation isn’t impacted. Make sure to also inspect damage around the sashes and frames. Warped frames may need to be fixed ASAP, while a sticking window or cracks could be a sign of foundation problems.
Siding
Next, let’s consider your siding. There are a few different problems to look out for here. Issues like peeling paint are usually minor and cosmetic, but worth addressing if you’re thinking of selling up soon. Rotting, warping and insect damage meanwhile are more serious. If ignored, this damage may start expanding into the interior. Call up siding installation experts to take a look. Wood and vinyl siding often need to be replaced after 20 to 40 years, but it depends on the quality of the material.
Gutters
Gutters provide the important job of directing water runoff from your roof into drains so that it doesn’t pool around the foundations of your home and causes subsidence. Every so often, gutters need to be cleaned out to make sure water is draining properly - if water is spilling over the sides, they may be clogged up with leaves and debris. Sagging or leaking gutters may need repairs or replacement. A gutter company can handle this task for you. Don’t ignore gutter problems as they may lead to foundation problems, which are much more expensive to fix.
Front door
A damaged front door is a major security risk. While peeling paint and scratches are usually not a concern, you should be worried about issues like rotting, warping or a wobbly handle. Some doors may need shaving down and eventually replacing if they keep sticking or are hard to close. Cracks and gaps around the frame can also be a problem worth looking into, and they could cause water and cold air to get in. Finally, watch out for noisy hinges. WD40 may temporarily stop the squeaking, but if they’re visibly damaged, they could pose a major weakness that an intruder might take advantage of. Fortunately, you should be able to cheaply replace the hinges without having to replace the door.
Garage doors
If you’ve got a garage, you need to periodically inspect the garage door to check that it is safe. There have been nasty accidents caused by people trying to operate broken garage doors. Grinding and squealing sounds or jerky movements are never a good sign - call out a garage door specialist if you notice these problems. Rust on a garage door can also be a sign that it needs replacing. Garage doors typically last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Once your garage door starts nearing the end of this lifespan, get rid of it.
Fences
Not all properties have fences, but those that do often rely on them as a perimeter to keep out intruders and keep pets/kids in. All fences eventually decay over time regardless of the material. Look out for leaning - this is usually a sign that the foundations have become rotten. Other signs of damage like cracks, rotting and insect damage should meanwhile also be fixed, as it’s likely these panels won’t survive a future harsh storm. Speaking of storms, it’s a good idea to always inspect fences after stormy weather, as this is when most damage takes place. You may be able to replace broken fences yourself, however hiring a professional is often more convenient, and you can be certain that your new fences are installed properly.
Driveway
Finally, let’s talk about driveways. These surfaces can be made from various different materials. Asphalt is a common one that can often develop cracks and potholes as a result of harsh weather. Fortunately, filling in this damage is cheap and easy. Concrete driveways are much harder to fix. Signs like large cracks or weeds could be a sign that you need to replace the entire concrete driveway. Fortunately concrete is pretty long-lasting and does not experience decay as fast as asphalt. For stained concrete driveways, it may be possible to paint over them instead of having to replace them.
Roof
Roofs are the most important part of your home’s exterior. There are a few obvious signs that repairs are needed such as leaks, visible holes/cracking in the roof, or sagging. Other forms of damage can go under the radar until they become more serious. The warning signs that a roof needs fixing depend very much on the type of roofing material. With asphalt roofs, look out for problems like granule loss - if the gutter is full of asphalt granules, it could be a sign that the roof is disintegrating and needs replacing. With metal roofs, be wary of rust and visible corrosion. When it comes to wooden roofs, look out for rot and warping. A roofing company can inspect the damage and tell you if repairs are recommended.
Windows
When windows get damaged, they can let in water and drafts, and potentially even become an easy entrypoint for burglars. Cracked glass is an obvious red flag - you should replace broken panes of glass as soon as you notice them. If you’ve got double-glazed units and they’ve fogged up, this is meanwhile a sign that the unit’s seal has failed and moisture has got in - repair this so that insulation isn’t impacted. Make sure to also inspect damage around the sashes and frames. Warped frames may need to be fixed ASAP, while a sticking window or cracks could be a sign of foundation problems.
Siding
Next, let’s consider your siding. There are a few different problems to look out for here. Issues like peeling paint are usually minor and cosmetic, but worth addressing if you’re thinking of selling up soon. Rotting, warping and insect damage meanwhile are more serious. If ignored, this damage may start expanding into the interior. Call up siding installation experts to take a look. Wood and vinyl siding often need to be replaced after 20 to 40 years, but it depends on the quality of the material.
Gutters
Gutters provide the important job of directing water runoff from your roof into drains so that it doesn’t pool around the foundations of your home and causes subsidence. Every so often, gutters need to be cleaned out to make sure water is draining properly - if water is spilling over the sides, they may be clogged up with leaves and debris. Sagging or leaking gutters may need repairs or replacement. A gutter company can handle this task for you. Don’t ignore gutter problems as they may lead to foundation problems, which are much more expensive to fix.
Front door
A damaged front door is a major security risk. While peeling paint and scratches are usually not a concern, you should be worried about issues like rotting, warping or a wobbly handle. Some doors may need shaving down and eventually replacing if they keep sticking or are hard to close. Cracks and gaps around the frame can also be a problem worth looking into, and they could cause water and cold air to get in. Finally, watch out for noisy hinges. WD40 may temporarily stop the squeaking, but if they’re visibly damaged, they could pose a major weakness that an intruder might take advantage of. Fortunately, you should be able to cheaply replace the hinges without having to replace the door.
Garage doors
If you’ve got a garage, you need to periodically inspect the garage door to check that it is safe. There have been nasty accidents caused by people trying to operate broken garage doors. Grinding and squealing sounds or jerky movements are never a good sign - call out a garage door specialist if you notice these problems. Rust on a garage door can also be a sign that it needs replacing. Garage doors typically last anywhere from 15 to 30 years. Once your garage door starts nearing the end of this lifespan, get rid of it.
Fences
Not all properties have fences, but those that do often rely on them as a perimeter to keep out intruders and keep pets/kids in. All fences eventually decay over time regardless of the material. Look out for leaning - this is usually a sign that the foundations have become rotten. Other signs of damage like cracks, rotting and insect damage should meanwhile also be fixed, as it’s likely these panels won’t survive a future harsh storm. Speaking of storms, it’s a good idea to always inspect fences after stormy weather, as this is when most damage takes place. You may be able to replace broken fences yourself, however hiring a professional is often more convenient, and you can be certain that your new fences are installed properly.
Driveway
Finally, let’s talk about driveways. These surfaces can be made from various different materials. Asphalt is a common one that can often develop cracks and potholes as a result of harsh weather. Fortunately, filling in this damage is cheap and easy. Concrete driveways are much harder to fix. Signs like large cracks or weeds could be a sign that you need to replace the entire concrete driveway. Fortunately concrete is pretty long-lasting and does not experience decay as fast as asphalt. For stained concrete driveways, it may be possible to paint over them instead of having to replace them.
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