Taking care of your Austin, TX, home’s exterior is an important responsibility. It helps protect your real estate investment and stops small issues from becoming big, costly repairs.
Austin’s weather, with its hot summers and occasional surprising cold snaps, can be tough on a house, making a seasonal home maintenance checklist indispensable if you’re looking to stay ahead and save money.
Fall: Getting Your Home Ready for Cooler Days and Rain
Autumn in Austin signals the need to prepare your property for cooler weather and increased rainfall. Completing this fall maintenance checklist early in the season helps avoid problems when winter arrives.
1. Clean Gutters and Check Downspouts
Leaves and debris can quickly fill your gutters in the fall. Clogged gutters cause water to overflow, potentially damaging your foundation or roof and leading to expensive exterior repairs. So, ensure you clean gutters thoroughly. Make sure downspouts are clear and direct water drains away from your house to ensure proper function.
2. Look Over Your Roof and Flashing
Your roof is your home’s primary defense against the elements. Inspect roofing for any loose, missing, or damaged shingles. Pay special attention to flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights, as damaged flashing is a common source of leaks.
3. Seal Driveway and Walkway Cracks
Small cracks in your concrete or asphalt can become significant problems if neglected. Water enters these openings, and if it freezes, it expands, making cracks worse. Sealing cracks in the fall protects these surfaces through the winter months, helping to avoid costly repairs later on.
4. Inspect Exterior Paint and Siding
Take a walk around your home to inspect exterior surfaces. Look for peeling paint or damaged siding, as these spots can allow moisture intrusion. Addressing them now protects the underlying structure of your home from water damage and rot.
5. Check Exterior Lighting and Garage Door
With fall comes shorter days, meaning you’ll rely more on your outdoor lights. Ensure all fixtures are in working condition for safety and security. Also, inspect your garage door and check its balance, lubricate moving parts, and test the auto-reverse safety feature for proper function.
Winter: Shielding Your Home From Cold and Wind
Austin winters are generally mild, but cold snaps can bring ice or freezing temperatures. Taking a few winter maintenance steps can help protect your home’s exterior during these colder periods.
1. Insulate Outdoor Faucets and Pipes
Exposed pipes and outdoor faucets can freeze and burst when temperatures plummet, leading to serious water damage. Use faucet covers and pipe insulation as a protective maintenance task. This small step can prevent a big headache and save money on potential repairs.
2. Chimney Checkup and Cleaning
If you use your fireplace, winter is its prime season. Before enjoying cozy fires, get your chimney inspected and cleaned to remove soot buildup, or creosote, a fire hazard.
3. Inspect Weather Stripping, Insulation, and Heat Vents
Feel for drafts around your doors and windows. Worn-out weather stripping or drafty windows let cold air in and warm air out, straining your heating system. Check your attic insulation to ensure it’s adequate. Also, vacuum heat registers and heat vents to improve air quality and heating efficiency.
4. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
Ice or strong winter winds can cause tree branches to break. If these branches overhang your roof, they can cause significant damage when they fall. Trim them back as a preventative maintenance task. Keeping trees pruned also helps sunlight reach your home and improves overall safety.
5. Look for Foundation Cracks and Check Sump Pump
Freezing conditions can exacerbate existing foundation cracks. Walk around your foundation, looking for any new cracks or changes in old ones. Addressing these early can prevent more serious structural issues. If you have a basement or crawl space, check sump pump operation to prevent winter flooding.
Spring: Preparing for Austin’s Heat and Storms
Spring in Austin is beautiful, but it also marks the beginning of storm season and warmer temperatures. This part of your seasonal home maintenance checklist prepares your home for summer heat and potential storms.
1. Reinspect and Clean Gutters
Yes, clean your gutters again. Spring showers can be heavy, and you want to make sure winter debris hasn’t clogged them. Clear out any leaves, twigs, or accumulated gunk. This stops water from damaging your foundation or causing roof issues and is a key maintenance task.
2. Roof Inspection and Necessary Repairs
Spring storms can bring strong winds and hail, potentially causing damaged shingles. Check your roof for any shingles that are missing, curled, or damaged. Catching problems early, especially after a big storm, can prevent leaks. Scheduling professional roof repairs quickly is wise to avoid costly repairs.
3. Siding, Exterior Wall, and Door Screen Check
Look closely at your home’s siding and exterior walls for cracks, rot, or peeling paint where water can enter. Fixing these helps protect your home from moisture damage. Also, inspect your door screens for tears or holes and repair or replace them to keep insects out as the weather warms.
4. Test Outdoor Faucets, Sprinkler Systems, and Water Softener
After winter, check all outdoor faucets for leaks. If you have a sprinkler system, run it to look for broken heads or leaks. A functioning irrigation system is important as the weather gets hotter. If you have a water softener, check its salt levels and replenish the salt as needed for proper function and high-quality hot water.
5. Trim Trees and Shrubs Again and Clean Dryer Vent
Plants grow significantly in the spring. Trim overgrown branches, especially those near your house, to prevent them from scraping siding or the roof. Also, clean your dryer vent thoroughly. Lint buildup is a fire hazard, and a clean dryer vent improves appliance efficiency.
Summer: Protecting Your Home From Intense Heat and Sun
Austin summers are intense, with heat and strong sun impacting your home’s exterior. Summer maintenance focuses on UV damage protection and keeping your home cool and energy-efficient.
1. Attic Ventilation and Fan Maintenance
A hot attic makes your whole house hotter, straining your air conditioner. Ensure your attic is properly ventilated, and check that your attic exhaust fan, if present, is in working condition. Proper ventilation can make a real difference in your home’s temperature and energy use.
2. Pressure Wash Driveways, Patios, and Consider Septic Tank Pumping
Over time, driveways, walkways, and patios can accumulate grime, algae, and dirt, making surfaces slippery and unsightly. A power wash or pressure washing cleans them up nicely, improving curb appeal. If your home has a septic tank, summer can be a good time to have it inspected and pumped, if necessary, as part of your maintenance schedule.
3. Repaint or Stain Decks and Fences
Wooden decks and fences take a beating from the summer sun’s UV rays, which can cause wood to warp and splinter. A fresh coat of paint or stain protects the wood and keeps your outdoor spaces looking their best. This is one of the more rewarding improvement projects.
4. Check Window and Door Seals and Test Smoke Alarms
Good seals around windows and doors are crucial in summer to keep hot air out. Inspect weather stripping. If it’s worn, replace it to prevent your air conditioner from working overtime and increasing energy bills. Also, perform your monthly maintenance task to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, ensuring they are in working condition.
5. Service Air Conditioning Units and Check Water Heater
Your AC is vital during an Austin summer. Make sure it’s ready by cleaning or replacing the furnace filter. Consider professional servicing for your air conditioner to ensure efficient operation. Also, inspect your water heater for any signs of leaks and consider flushing it to remove accumulated sediment, which helps maintain efficiency and extend its life. Check ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), too, especially for outdoor electrical outlets.
Conclusion
Keeping up with your home’s exterior might seem like a lot of work, but using a seasonal home maintenance checklist makes each maintenance task manageable. Regular upkeep not only keeps your Austin home looking great but also protects your property from serious damage and helps you avoid big repair bills. When you stay on top of these maintenance projects each season, you’re investing in your home’s long-term health and value, ultimately helping you save money and maintain your real estate investment. If any of these jobs feel too big, remember that there are roofing and siding companies out there to help you perform regular maintenance and tackle larger improvement projects.
