Maintenance of a Kit Home
Regular maintenance of a kit home ensures that your dream home will remain in tip top shape. Most minor repairs can be done by the typical homeowner. However, larger jobs should be handled by a professional.
Your home should be examined periodically for any signs of developing problems. By taking care to remedy a situation early there will seldom be any major problems you will face, because kit homes are built to be low maintenance. Your home will continue to be your true sanctuary and it will look great.
Exterior Maintenance
The maintenance of a kit home will of course include the exterior as well as the interior of the home. The roof should be examined regularly and any debris should be removed. A long handled brush can make this task easy and quick. It is recommended that you do not walk on the roof. If necessary you can place large boards across the roofing to use as a platform surface. This will help to spread out the weight and stress placed on the roofing structure.
As you examine the roof look for any signs of problems along the seams and the edges. These can be the areas that develop problems over time in rare instances. Use a good quality roof coating to seal such areas.
Guttering is meant to collect water and allow it to drain away from the foundation. Keep a regular check on your gutters and remove any build up of debris. If left unattended the water will not drain properly.
Caulking around windows and doors will maintain a tight seal which will help to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Carefully check around the exterior of the windows and doors for any areas that need attention. This should be done at least twice per year.
You can also keep the exterior of your kit home clean by washing the siding once a year with water and a very mild detergent or one part bleach to five parts water.
Interior Maintenance
Keeping a heating system in top shape is essential in it running efficiently. The regularity that the filter needs to be cleaned or changed depends on the type of system you have. Always check the system before using for the first time of the season.
As mentioned above, exterior caulking around windows and doors should be checked. You should also ensure that there is a good seal around the windows and door frames on the interior. An easy way to check is to hold a match or candle near the area to be inspected and watch for a flicker indicating a breeze. Obviously that means there is a problem and should be addressed. Your goal is to have a home that is virtually airtight. That will make heating and cooling efforts more efficient.
There are dozens of small details related to the maintenance of any home. Depending on the wall finish you have you may or may not be able to use strong cleaners to wash them down. Instead, use a mild detergent mixed with water to clean such surfaces.
As simple as this may sound it needs to be said. Some surfaces in the home will require regular cleaning to keep them looking their best and others, such as the ceiling, will be virtually maintenance free. By periodically doing routine checks and keeping up with regular maintenance of a kit home most major problems can be avoided.
