Preventative Home Improvements: 4 Long Term Maintenance Projects

Even if your home is new, you still need to make sure that it remains well-maintained over the years. Relatively minor issues can become expensive problems before you know it, and the last thing that a homeowner needs is more expenses. These four maintenance projects are going to protect your home and potentially lower your energy bills.

Replace the Roof Shingles

Roof shingles are made from a wide variety of materials, and some of those materials are designed to last for decades. As a general rule, composite and asphalt shingles should be replaced every 20 to 30 years. Metal and clay roofs, on the other hand, often last for well over 50 years as long as they aren’t damaged by hail or falling tree limbs. At the very least, you need to have the shingles inspected by a trustworthy roofing contractor every four or five years.

Waterproof the Basement

Many homeowners don’t realize just how devastating standing water can be. A wet basement is the perfect breeding ground for mold, and that water might attract unwanted pests as well. To waterproof your basement, you will need to fill in cracks with hydraulic cement and patch any leaky pipes. You must also make sure that all of the downspouts and rain gutters are directing water away from the foundation of your home. This is definitely not a project you want to test out your DIY skills, however. Mistakes could mean devastating damage in the future. Be sure to call a professional if you’ve never done any basement waterproofing before.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Insulating water pipes is one of the easiest and most effective ways to lower your monthly utility bills. Quite a bit of heat is lost as the warm water runs through the pipes, and that could overwork the water heater. Water supply pipes can easily be insulated with nothing more than some foam pipe sleeves and duct tape. This simple project should take you no more than an hour, and the insulation will probably last for at least a decade.

Switch to Blow-In Insulation

Even though modern insulation is very durable, it can still become damaged over the years. If you have traditional insulation batts in your attic, then you might want to upgrade to blow-in insulation. Blow-in cellulose is easy to install, durable, and highly efficient. As long as there are no pests or leaks in your attic, the blow-in cellulose should last for at least 30 years.

While it might be tempting to carry out some of these projects on your own, you should consider hiring licensed contractors. An experienced contractor will be able to get the job done right the very first time, and their warranty should cover all of their work.