Whether you live in a beach cottage, vintage bungalow, or one of the coveted carriage homes
within city, year-round upkeep of your house is warranted, particularly in a beach town such as Ocean City, NJ. Salt air, harsh sun, salt wind, and changing weather patterns will deteriorate building materials, landscaping, and fittings. Upkeep pays big dividends by safeguarding your investment, preventing costly repairs, and maintaining your home safe, comfortable, and viewable to family and friends.
Seasonal maintenance tips particular to the weather and local conditions of Ocean City, to keep your home (and carriage home or whatever your taste) in ship shape.
Springtime to clean up winter slop and ready for warm weather.
Roof and siding inspection: Inspect for loose, missing, or broken shingles, corroded flashing, or ice- or snow-induced cracks in siding. Make repairs promptly.
Clean gutters and downspouts: Clear out trash, free draining, and downspouts to keep water away from your foundation. They become clogged with snow and salt in winter.
Paint and caulk inspection outside: Caulked or painted surfaces around doors and windows can crack or peel with cold and water. Seal joints once more to keep the water out.
HVAC readiness: Prepare your air conditioner for the next heat wave, clean filter, refrigerant check, and duct leakage test.
Check plumbing: Winters will freeze pipes. Check exposed basement, crawl space, and attic pipes for leaks. Seal minor leaks early before major ones occur.
With heat and humidity increasing, summer has its own specific issues too.
Scan for termites and insects: Heat = bugs. Trim landscaping, ground clearance wood, and check wood materials for damage.
Maintain shutters, awnings & shades in working condition: Shutters, awnings, or shade covers bear the brunt of sun, wind, and salt. Check that they are securely fastened, clean them, and replace damaged material or rusted hardware.
Seal deck boards and exterior wood: Wood will rot or warp from sun and water. Sealing or staining will prolong its life.
Inspect windows, screens, and ventilation: Insect-infested screens or loose-fitting windows let heat and insects in; ventilation maintains indoor humidity levels.
Water feature maintenance: Hoses outdoors, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need inspecting. Summer use will show leaks or clogs that should be fixed.
With the fall season, the need to prepare your house for colder, wetter, and perhaps stormy conditions comes too.
Weather-strip & caulk windows & doors if necessary. Drafts lose energy.
Maintain heating equipment: Replace or change furnace filters; have the furnace serviced. Clean fireplaces' chimneys if you have fireplaces.
Winterize outdoor plumbing: Drain hoses, turn off outside faucets, and insulate exposed pipes. Freezing water will burst pipes and leak.
Roof and attic inspection: Check for any signs of leaks, mold, or wetness in the attic. Insulate and ventilate if needed to also reduce ice dams and heat loss.
Storm preparation inspection: Shove furniture outside into the yard, check shutters, take away yard material that will be used as a projectile when the wind is powerful, and clear gutters so rain will flow freely.
While fewer things are being worked on around your home in winter, some preventative maintenance here and now prevents mid-winter breakdowns.
Look for ice dams, snow load: Too much snow on roofs creates ice dams, water leaks, weight damage, structural hazard. Clean out entry ways.
Check HVAC/heating systems: Replacement of filters, check thermostat and safety features. Store backup heating gear.
Safety device check: Emergency lighting, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors must be inspected and batteries replaced. The more frequently the heating equipment is operated, the more fire risk there will be.
Prevent damp & mold: Snowmelt indoors or condensation during cold weather can bring in mold. Utilize the aid of dehumidifiers, have adequate air circulation, and maintain interior temperature levels consistent.
Seal drafts & insulate: Windows, attic doors, crawl spaces, seal drafts and insulate as a means of keeping the heat in and the energy bills down.
It's hard to remember all this unless you've got a procedure.
Make seasonal checklists: spring, summer, fall, winter. That way you'll be able to know what to keep an eye out for and when.
Keep record: when done, who, what replaced. Repeat problem analysis and resale value.
Call in the experts when: roofers, plumbing, electrical. It's wonderful to do some quick DIY repair, but safety-critical systems call for licensed experts.
Consult professional sources: The EPA's WaterSense program gives advice on water conservation as well as how to maintain fixtures so leaks never arise and waste is prevented.
Use homeowner checklists such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or National Center for Healthy Housing. They both provide extensive descriptions of what to inspect and how frequently under differing conditions.
Design a home according to Ocean City's positioning close to salt water and ocean storms where extra caution must be exercised in certain areas:
Salt corrosion: Railings, hardware, metal hardware, outdoor lighting, all are at risk. Salt needs to be stripped and marine-grade paint or stainless metals employed where appropriate.
Storm water drainage: Use yard sloping to direct water away from foundations and seal and clear gutters/downspouts.
Window & door weatherproofing: Exposed to harsh winds, weakened seals will suffer. Storm doors or reinforced windows replace where feasible.
Roofing materials: Nailed it, sloped roofs, impact shingles, and wind uplift flashing protect your home.
Being on top without overdoing it (or over-spending):
Divide jobs seasonally: Don't do everything at once. Get the high-impact or time-sensitive ones done first.
Create a maintenance budget: Homeowners spend 1-3% of home value annually on maintenance. Prevents getting behind.
Do-it-yourself or subcontract: Some of the work can be accomplished (trim, gutters, detector testing), but others (electric, plumbing, roof) have to be done by professional skill.
Local codes & ordinances: Ocean City likely has building codes or flood-zone rules that govern what can or cannot be done or how repairs should be made.
