Home Maintenance: 5 Quick Exterior Fixes

Whether you’re looking to sell your home and want to enhance its curb appeal, or just want give it a bit of a makeover, there are a number of quick-fix ideas out there that will get the exterior of your home looking fresh and new again.

Let’s face it, the types of extreme weather that we experience in Canada, from snowy, slushy, bitterly cold winters, to sweltering summers can make the exterior of your house look worn out in just a few short years. Add to that the fact that routine maintenance tasks tend to get pushed further down the to-do list when you’re juggling competing work schedules, kids’ activities and so on. If all or even some of this describes your situation, take a look below at five fast, easily achievable outdoor fixes that will get your home looking the way you want it to:

Make That Front Door Pop

Believe it or not, your front door is a huge part of your home’s curb appeal, maybe even the most important. Make it welcoming and inviting to guests by restyling it will help make a really good first impression. Give it a coat of fresh paint or install a custom-made wooden door. Polish the knobs and fixtures, and make sure all dirty spots are buffed out. Welcome mats and flowers or plants (hanging or otherwise) are nice touches as well adding a wreath that that reflects the current season. Christmas isn’t the only time of year for hanging a wreath. Visit your local garden centre and/or surf the web for dozens of ideas for eye-catching wreaths for spring, summer, fall, and winter as well as for specific occasions throughout the year.

Outdoor Lighting

Adding low-voltage landscape lighting gives you extra bang for your buck in that this will not only make a significant impact on the look of your exterior but provide enhanced security as well. Lighting fixtures can illuminate the walkway leading to your front door and accent any trees you may have in the front yard. If you aren’t able to use lights that require wiring (or just aspire to greater energy efficiency) you may find that solar fixtures can be substituted, though they are less reliable and throw off less light.

Though you needn’t spend a fortune, it’s important to think quality when you are shopping for the components of your low-voltage outdoor lighting system. In the type of climate that is typical throughout most of Canada, you will want a system that can stand up to the elements.

Clean or Replace Your Gutters

If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, hail, sleet, etc. then you should definitely give your gutters a once-over to see if they need cleaning or even replacement. Just a good, thorough cleaning will go a long way towards helping them do a better job of keeping excess water away from your home. Once they have been cleaned, check to make sure that all the connections are in good condition and that the downspouts have been secured. A quick power wash to spray them down and restore their original colour is a good finishing touch.

If you’ve had your gutter system for a while though it may be past the point of a simple cleaning. Peeling paint and rust spots do not convey a positive impression and may suggest neglect to some observers. A snap-fit vinyl gutter system can be put together with minimal tools and doesn’t require any painting. If you have a big enough budget to work with, copper systems both look great and are of exceptionally durable quality.

Window Boxes & Mailboxes

Window boxes are a fast and simple way to add colour and charm to the exterior of your home. There is a wide range of available styles to choose from that will complement the style of your home and enhance its curb appeal. Window boxes made of iron or copper give off a traditional look and feel while painted wood can suggest a summer cottage year round. Mix and match flowers and plants to suit your lighting conditions and colour scheme. Try to plant flowers that will add pizazz like daisies, marigolds, or petunias.

For your mailbox, try modernizing it with some fresh paint and personalizing it with your last name. Make sure it is securely fastened in the ground and isn’t tilting off to the side and think about maybe adding some flowers to around the bottom of the stand.

Landscaping/Lawn

Take a GOOD look at your yard around the home. Is the lawn, trees and flower bed areas free of weeds and other debris? One of the most effective ways to spruce up a tired looking yard is adding new mulch to flower beds and around trees. Mulch can provide a polished look to your yard, and will keep your plants hydrated. Mow and edge your lawn on a regular basis and pull weeds by hand. You would be surprised how good your home looks when the grounds are maintained and neat.

The above suggestions are meant to give you some ideas to start with and is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list. There are many different things that you can do to enhance the beauty of your home and it needn’t be time-consuming, drawn out or expensive process.

At Peel Exterior Maintenance Inc. we are your one-stop shop for all your landscaping, yard work, lawn care and seasonal maintenance needs. We have more than 40 years of landscaping and horticultural experience under one roof. We have the finest quality stones available in the region and as well as sand and gravel, topsoil, and mulches. Whether it’s just keeping the yard tidy or a full-scale overhaul of your home’s exterior, we have the experience and expertise to execute your vision perfectly as well as supply you with lots of helpful hints and suggestions. If you’re ready to take the next step in improving your home’s exterior, call Peel Exterior today at (905) 873-8988 for a consultation or contact us here.