How To Keep Your Property Looking Nice Long-Term
Everybody knows how to keep their properties looking nice in the short term: clean regularly and do basic maintenance. If you want to take care of it over the long term, you need a different approach. Here’s what to do.
Establish a seasonal clean-up routine
Your first priority should be to establish a routine for regularly checking and maintaining your property.
In the spring and summer, look for roof damage from winter storms and clean the gutters. Check irrigation systems and decking to make sure your outdoor areas are still functioning well.
In the fall and winter, clear leaves and shut off outdoor water lines to prevent frozen pipes from bursting. Also, touch up any seals around windows and doors so winter moisture cannot get inside.
Power wash the grime away
If you're learning how to maintain your new landscape, then you should also get familiar with pressure washers. These are incredible pieces of kit that let you completely transform your outdoor areas, even after seasons of damage and dirt buildup. You’ll be amazed at how much the age of your property is affected by the grime on the surface, not by the underlying materials.
Rent or buy a pressure washer and blast-clean your hardscapes once or twice a year. Use lower pressure for roofing, since the material can be more delicate. If you have older brick, wood siding, or stucco, be careful and reduce the pressure significantly. Use detergents instead to get a thorough clean.
Keep strict lawn and landscaping schedule
Keep your lawn and landscaping schedules strict. Many professionals will tell you that edging is everything, even if your lawn is slightly patchy. Keeping the edges along the sidewalk, driveway, and property lines crisp can completely transform how it looks.
You should also mulch every spring and prune regularly. If you do not prune, trees can quickly grow out of control and start encroaching on your property. They can also cause damage during storms if they fall.
Don't allow paint to fade
It may seem obvious, but if you want your property to look new in the long term, you should never let the paint fade. Keep it looking its best by applying fresh coats continuously.
If the paint starts to fade, your property will lose its good looks very quickly. If it’s peeling or cracking in any way, it can be visually unappealing. You can also damage the underlying material, especially if it’s wood.
Use low-maintenance materials
Finally, related to the last point, it's nice to use low-maintenance materials. These cut down on the amount of labour that you need to invest in your property to keep it in good condition. For instance, use composite decking instead of wood decking. This doesn't require any annual sanding and staining, and it won't splinter. You should also replace wood siding with vinyl or fibre cement siding. Again, it lasts much longer and isn't as prone to damage.
You can even get low-maintenance grass these days. This doesn’t require as much watering or feeding.
