Words by Emily Roberts
While it’s true that those living in the northern part of the United States can take quite a beating over the cold, harsh, and long winter months, those in southern states don’t exactly get off easy either.
Sure, they don’t have the plunging temperatures, wind, snow, and ice to deal with, but their homes also show wear and tear that needs to be addressed over time in the form of repairs and regular maintenance. Now as for when to tackle these jobs, springtime seems to be a popular time of year to do so. At that time of year, the temperatures become more consistent, storms can die down, and yet you aren’t in the blazing summer heat. In order to help you plan what projects you’ll want to put on the to-do list for 2019, here’s a look at five of the most common jobs homeowners have to tackle either on their own or by hiring a professional.
Salt Water Damage
If you happen to live near the ocean, then you are treated to those great sea breezes on a regular basis. They are incredibly helpful in the summer, working to keep the air moving and even to cool it down a bit, but with that, there is salt from the ocean that is constantly moving through the air. This salt starts to eat and chip away at exterior surfaces and cause a real number on paint. Over time, that salt can even eat right through metal and completely corrode things like your heat pump and HVAC.
What this means is that you want to be checking for salt damage on a regular basis – once or twice a year – so that you can catch it before it gets too bad. The last thing you want to contend with is an air conditioner that dies in the summer, and then you need to do without while you wait for a new one to be installed. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your HVAC can actually help to prolong its lifespan.
As for painting, you want to be sure you stay on top of it and don’t let it get to the point where damage is occurring because the paint has become so compromised.
Repair, Patch, and Paint Stucco
In southern states of the US, stucco is a very popular material choice for the exterior of homes and patios. It has a number of benefits including the fact that it looks great, it is weather-resistant, it resists termites, and it is very durable. All that aside, it doesn’t mean that it’s maintenance and repair-free, as it can still show signs of wear and tear over the years. Common signs that your stucco is in need of a little attention include flaking, chipping, and even cracks in the stucco.
Repairing stucco is a skill, and it’s not something that most homeowners are going to want to tackle on their own. You want it to look good and blend right in with the existing structure once the repair is done, rather than stand out even more. That is exactly why services like Edward’s Enterprises exist, in order to offer a professional stucco repair, patching, and painting service. They are able to come out, assess the damage, and then tackle the job and get your stucco back to new-looking condition.
Address Termites and the Damage Created by Them
Here in the United States, the majority of states do have at least some termite activity, even in some of the colder states. With that said though, there are some states that are known for ‘very heavy’ termite activity, which are the southern states of Florida, Texas, California, Hawaii, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
As long as the temperatures are consistently above 70 degrees, there is a good chance you will see them swarming around the outside of your home. And just because the temperature drops below 70 degrees, doesn’t mean they go away, it just means they move indoors.
There are a number of red flags to watch for besides just outright seeing the termites. If you notice dry wood that sounds hollow and feels paper thin, it has probably suffered from termite damage. Tunnels in wood and termite droppings are other common signs.
The best way to deal with termites is to have an inspection done first, and then have a professional company get rid of them. Once the termites have been taken care of, you’ll need to make any necessary repairs to the wood they have damaged.
Expect Some Repairs and Maintenance Each Year
Living in the southern US states provides homeowners with some absolutely fabulous weather almost year-round, but with that said, it also means your house is prone to specific exterior wear and tear.
About the Author
Emily is a young writer, who specifically has a passion for blogging!
