Spring brings changes, and with those comes a lot of stress about whether you started early enough or if you're able to handle the amount of property you have. When this season hits full swing, it's important to keep a calm head and get into motion.
These are the top exterior home renovation projects everyone should consider to get their property ready for the next season!
1. Power Wash the Pollen Away
Pollen is annoying to almost any homeowner who simply wants to enjoy the great outdoors. Instead, their home gets hit by a cloud of yellow and green dust that can make the entire property look dingy and unkempt.
Instead of hoping the rain comes and takes care of it, rent a power washer! Renting a power washer costs less than $80 a day and allows you to blast away the gross debris from your exterior stone veneer siding. This lets your whole property look fresh and brand new.
2. Add More Outdoor Lounging Areas
Spending time with friends and loved ones is good for mental and physical health and can help you lead a more balanced lifestyle. If you're ready to make that possible for yourself, it's a great idea to stop and add spaces like a roof deck, an extended patio, or even a lovely pagoda to shade under.
The materials are generally affordable, from lightweight roof pavers to sealants, but you'll need to make sure you're not taking on more than you can bite. These types of projects can take a lot of work and experience, so if you're out of your comfort zone: call a professional to help.
3. Consider Adding a Fresh Face
Paint and siding updates can change everything. Start with your porch itself, adding a fresh coat of paint in whatever color or style you like. From here, consider adding new siding or updated exterior cladding that will let your home shine. Taking care of details like a new frieze board, if needed, and making sure every part of your home's exterior is in good working order, are things that every homeowner should do every spring.
4. Ensure Your Soil Is Ready for Spring
Spring will change your soil, so it's vital that it's aerated, fertile, and able to absorb water without allowing for puddles to form across your yard. Add drainage where necessary, and take the time to focus on any trouble spots where standing water always appears.
If you want bulb plants to grow, it's better to plant them in late fall, but putting them in the ground in early spring can allow you to still get some gorgeous splashes of color in the new season. Look for local flowers that pollinators can enjoy.
5. Look At Necessary Property Repairs
Winter can be harsh, and nobody knows that better than the exterior of your home. Check for cracks and lines in concrete or pavement, and repair this as quickly as possible. Allowing it to go through further freeze and thaw cycles will simply make the crack larger, which could cause an extremely expensive repair down the line.
You should also look at your windows and doors to make sure that they're still in good condition after the cold. This will stop them from leaking air and will keep your heating and cooling bills down throughout the year.
6. Keep Moisture At Bay
Moisture is a killer when it comes to property value, and nothing's as important as blocking it out of your home. Steps like adding crystalline waterproofing or good water-diverting drainage are a good start, but you can do more by checking the slope of your lawn and ensuring water isn't sliding down into your home.
Another good step is to stop and check your gutters and downspouts. Are they guiding water away from your home, or are you finding deep divots where water is hitting soil?
7. Remember to Plant Mindfully
Plants can make a huge difference in soil health and in the health of your environment. Adding a detail like a rain garden will give the extra moisture somewhere to go instead of standing in your lawn while also allowing you to grow native plants that thrive in the weather that naturally appears in your area.
Another good idea is using plants for wind buffering from busy roads, framing parts of your home you want to show off, or simply partially shading windows.
Make a thorough planting plan before the season starts, and decide the purpose and use of every seed and plant you're putting in. Of course, you can always put in pansies that you find pretty or tomatoes you want to eat, but remember how much of a difference other plants can make as well!
Your Home Can Shine This Spring!
Whether you bought your home months ago or years ago, it's never too late to start a big exterior change! Consider some of these renovation projects to watch your property flourish.
Roger Marx is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on home improvement projects. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on backyard projects in his spare time. Roger’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource.