Your home’s exterior has to put up with a lot! It gets beaten by the weather day in and day out, and it can be forgotten about every time you go to remodel your home. As such, it gets grimey, overgrown, and even a little broken, and it’s important to take stock every now and then. Your home’s curb appeal needs a bit of TLC in certain areas, and we’ve listed the most suffering below for your convenience.
Even if you like overgrown plants, they’ll need trimming back from time to time! (Pexels Image – CC0 Licence)
Your Windows
How long has it been since you had the windows cleaned? Probably a few years now – the job doesn’t tend to rank highly on spring cleaning lists! However, if you’ve seen some condensation or dirt getting inside, it’s a sign there’s something wrong with the integrity of your windows. It could just be a build up, but it could also be a break or crack in the pane or glass somewhere; inspect carefully, wipe it down, and see what’s left behind.
The Driveway
It’s very easy for a driveway to get overgrown and cracked if you’re not careful with its upkeep. So get the strimmer out there and get rid of those weeds! And if you’ve got cracks, buy a sealant from the local DIY store and stop the problem from getting any worse. If you want to put a stop to cracks in the long term, you can also think about installing a concrete driveway to help make the front exterior of your home much stronger. Concrete tends to hold up better than other materials and is relatively cheap to lay as well, though it can be hard to dress up with shingles, pebbles, or bark.
Any Plant Beds
Plants can very easily take control when they’re left to their own devices. They can grow outside of the beds you built for them, and they can soon drive out other plants you’ve put down. Take a moment now to check on your front garden – how does it look out there? Is one bush overpowering everything else? Get some shears and cut it back; it’ll help all the greens and flowers out there look much more healthy! It might even be worth it to plant a tree, to prevent such creep from taking over again.
The Porch
Having a porch at the front of your house makes for amazing curb appeal! However, if the porch is rarely used, and thus rarely taken care of, it can only help the property to look more rickety. A porch should be brushed and scrubbed down about once a year, and if you notice signs of wear in the varnish, it’s time to put a new coat on top. Porches are great for hosting during the summer and relaxing during the autumn, so why not get some cozy furniture out there too?
Curb appeal doesn’t last forever! Get out there and see what needs a refresh.