The Definitive Guide To The Top 10 Do’s And Don’ts For Denton Home Maintenance

As a homeowner in the city of Denton, you know just how fortunate you are to live in such a beautiful community. Between friendly neighbors and warm weather year-round, residents of Denton are some of the happiest in the state. Thanks to mild winter weather, you don’t need to worry too much about the risks that extreme temperature fluctuations can pose for your home, but following a Denton home maintenance checklist is still important for keeping your biggest investment in the best condition possible. 

Some types of home maintenance are easy enough to conduct on your own, while others are best done with the help of a qualified Denton handyman. Whether you own a single-family dwelling or are a business owner with commercial private property, the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ outlined below can help you maintain your curb appeal, avoid costly repairs, and boost your property value. 

Why Completing Regular Home Maintenance in Denton, TX Is Important

Though Denton itself is a small city with a slower, suburban feel, the community sits on the outskirts of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Many residents regularly commute into the big cities for work and play alike. Between this travel time and the increasing responsibilities placed on individuals and families in the 21st century, property owners often find themselves struggling to keep up with routine maintenance on their homes and commercial property. 

It may seem like an unnecessary hassle, but staying on top of home maintenance can save time in the long run. Collectively, maintenance tasks tend to take less time than a full-scale repair or replacement would take. Additionally, tools, equipment and supplies needed for Denton home maintenance jobs generally cost less than a repair or installation project. By keeping your home’s interior and exterior in tip-top shape, you’ll save both time and money in the long run. 

Denton Home Maintenance Do’s

Do Conduct Regular Inspections

Some home maintenance tasks are obvious. For example, if your dog got startled by last night’s thunderstorm and left a big hole in the drywall, or you moved a heavy piece of furniture and left a deep scratch in your hardwood floor, you’ll become aware of the need for maintenance and repair the moment they arise. 

In most cases, issues aren’t obvious unless you go looking for them. By conducting a self-guided inspection on a regular basis, you can assess your home’s entire structure for damage while also catching problems that could get much worse if not addressed immediately. 

Some of the most important components of your home to inspect include windows and doors. Failing to do so could not just cost you a pretty penny like most neglected home improvement projects but also result in reduced security and safety for your home. 

Do Clean Out Your Gutters

If you ask Denton property owners about the number-one home maintenance task they neglect more often than they should, many will talk about gutter cleaning. It’s widely known that gutter cleaning should be done a minimum of once per year but ideally twice. If there are trees on or even near your property, this is non-negotiable.

Failing to clean out your gutters can cause them to sag and pull away from your roof’s fascia boards or result in a dam that causes water to spill over the edges before reaching the downspout. Because water is unable to flow away from your home, you’re at risk of accruing water damage in your attic, fascia boards, soffits, siding and foundation. If you’re comfortable on a ladder, you can clean your gutters yourself or follow these guidelines on how to unclog a downspout.

Do Refinish Exposed Wood

Homes in Denton today are composed of durable materials like PVC or polyvinyl chloride. This plastic material is resistant to water damage and requires less maintenance than wood. Despite this, PVC has not replaced wood entirely. Many homeowners still have properties that are composed at least in part of wood, especially when it comes to decks, porches, fences, fascia boards, and siding.

When these exterior wood surfaces are installed, they’re finished with stains, paints or sealants. Over time, harsh UV rays, rain, wind, dents and scratches can remove these finishes, leaving wood exposed to wood rot. One of the most common questions that homeowners ask about wood rot repair is whether minor areas of damage can be repaired. It’s possible to stop wood rot from expanding, but the greater the area of decay, the more repairs will cost. 

Combat repair and replacement costs by regularly applying a fresh coat of paint, stain or sealant as soon as you notice any exposed wood surfaces. 

Do Check for Water Damage

Wood rot is just one of many symptoms of water damage. Other effects include:

• Warped wood (including flooring)
• Discoloration
• Rust
• Foundation weakening
• Organic growth, such as algae growth
• A musty odor
• And more

All of these issues are not just cosmetic but extremely difficult to repair. When extensive water damage occurs, replacement is usually required for the affected materials.

Because water damage is one of the most costly types of structural damage, catching any signs of water damage before the problem grows is of the utmost importance. Clogged gutters, inadequate ventilation, and severe weather conditions are just some of the causes of water damage. Pay close attention to sudden changes in your utility bill and look for signs of water or dampness where it shouldn’t be in various areas of your home. The obvious areas are bathrooms and around windows and doors, but it’s a good idea to check your roof, attic, and basement as well. 

Do Trim Tall Grass and Weeds

According to the Denton Development Code, allowing tall grass and weeds to grow without restraint on your property is a code violation. Your neighbors or a passing Community Improvement Services Officer can report you for failing to maintain your yard. Generally, once reported, you can work out a “compliance plan” with your designated officer to bring your property back up to code. 

To maintain good relationships with your neighbors, as well as take pride in your property, keeping your home’s exterior up to code should be one of your top priorities when it comes to Denton home maintenance. 

Denton Home Maintenance Don’ts

Don’t Use A Power Washer Without Experience

If you’ve ever wondered what pressure washing services can do for your home, the short answer is a lot. The terms ‘power washing’ and ‘pressure washing’ are often used interchangeably, but the former technically refers to using heated, highly pressurized water to clean a surface, while the latter uses cold water. 

Regardless of the water temperature used, both power washing and pressure washing can improve the longevity of your home’s exterior. The buildup of debris such as dirt, pollen, and pollution isn’t just unsightly—it can also cause deterioration. Power washing can quickly and effectively remove this debris, making your home look like new in mere minutes.

That being said, pressure washing can be incredibly dangerous. Improper use has resulted in serious injuries in the past. Proper technique is also required to avoid damaging your home. If you’ve never used a power or pressure washer before, it’s best to hire a professional to do the job.

Don’t Ignore the Benefits of Replacement

Products and materials in our world today are often designed to be disposable. To save money and live more sustainably, it’s generally a good idea to perform repair and maintenance improvement projects before demolishing and replacing a component of your home altogether. 

That being said, there comes a time when maintenance is no longer your best course of action. When the time, energy, and cost required to maintain one of your home’s structures, such as a deck, becomes greater than the investment in constructing a brand-new deck, it’s time to consider the latter.  

Don’t Forget About Your ROI

Your property isn’t just the place you call home—it’s also your greatest investment. If you plan to live out the rest of your days in your current home, you may not be concerned about your property value. However, if you expect to sell sometime in the near or far future, it’s important to keep your return on investment (ROI) in mind when completing home maintenance tasks.

Unless you have all the time in the world, you may have to prioritize some tasks over others. Take some time to research which home improvement projects offer the highest ROI in Denton, TX. For example, recent research shows that adding a deck or a porch to your home has an average return of 90%. Therefore, keeping your deck in the best condition possible is undoubtedly worth your time and money.  

Don’t Put Your Health And Safety At Risk

In addition to ROI, one of the most important factors to consider when prioritizing home maintenance tasks is whether you or your family’s health and safety are being placed at risk by putting the job off. Some of the tasks that can help protect you and those around you include:

• Dryer Vent Cleaning: Nearly 3000 house fires each year are caused by a clogged dryer vent. At least twice per year, remove the vent on the back of your dryer and use your vacuum to suck out all the lint. Not only will this prevent a fire, but you’ll also likely notice your drying time speed up and your energy bills go down. 
• Check Door and Window Latches: In the event of an emergency where you are required to leave your home quickly and safely, you want to be sure that your doors and windows can open easily. Sticky latches and broken hinges aren’t just an inconvenience. In some cases, they could be a serious safety hazard.

Don’t DIY When You Should Call The Pros

Tasks such as cleaning out dryer vents, mowing your lawn and caulking seams between window panes and trim can be done easily on your own if you have at least some experience with home maintenance and repairs. Other tasks require the help of a trained professional to ensure they’re completed properly. These may include:

• Attic insulation
• Ceiling repair
• Power and pressure washing
• Deck staining, painting and sealing
• Large drywall repairs
• Two-story home gutter cleaning
• Wood rot repair
• Flooring repair
• Window frame repair
• Weatherproofing
• And more

Be honest with yourself about what you’re capable of doing yourself, as well as what you have time for. Although you’ve cleaned your gutters out before and could theoretically do it again, if you disliked the job and lack several hours on the weekend to do it, you’re likely to put it off much longer than you should. By hiring a professional for these tasks, you can spend your time on more important activities and have peace of mind in knowing your home is getting the attention it deserves.  

Cost of Home Maintenance in Denton, TX

Because there is such a wide range of home maintenance projects, it’s difficult to say how much these will cost. The cost of home maintenance in Denton, TX, depends on:

• Supply chain disruptions, supply, and demand at the time of material purchase
• Inflation
• Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional
• The extent of work required

If you currently have a repair project that needs to be done to protect the health and safety of you or any other occupants on the property but don’t have the funds to carry out the project, take advantage of the City of Denton’s Homeowner Repair Assistance Program. If your income falls below a predetermined threshold, you may be eligible to receive assistance for necessary repairs. Contact the city for a free evaluation. 

Inquire About Our Denton Home Maintenance Services Today! 

Do you need help with semi-annual gutter cleaning? Looking to get your wood deck refinished or your siding pressure washed? Our professional team at Mr. Handyman of Flower Mound, Lewisville and Denton can help you with a myriad of Denton home maintenance projects. We proudly serve not just Denton but many of the surrounding areas as well, including but not limited to Justin, Highland Village, and Ponder. 

Contact our office team with any questions you may have. We look forward to helping you with all your Denton home maintenance needs!