Homeownership comes with a lot of responsibility, especially where maintenance is concerned. Neglecting upkeep can lead to an unsightly appearance and, in some cases, damage to the structural integrity or safety of your home. When your spouse comes to you with that “honey-do” list, it’s important to know what to look for and when you should bring in a professional—someone like the experts behind SmartLevel Concrete.
Concrete can be found in many places on your property, including sidewalks, driveways, porches and even inside the home. It can also be a significant hazard if not maintained properly. Unlevel or crooked concrete often leads to trips and falls, Emma Osborn of SmartLevel Concrete says, but are easily repaired with the help of a leveler.
“We drill a small hole about the size of your pinky into your concrete and then pump polyurethane foam underneath,” Emma says. “As it expands, it lifts the concrete back up and then solidifies. And in about 15 minutes, you can drive a car on top of it.”
You’ll be able to tell your concrete needs leveled if it appears sunken or if you can hear a hollow sound when you tap it, which indicates there is a void beneath the slab. Large gaps between steps or your driveway and garage entrance can also be indicators.
“When you’re driving into your garage from your driveway and you feel like you really have to rev up to get over that hump, it shouldn’t be like that,” Emma comments.
To fix the issue, leveling is a quick process and has a relatively small environmental impact, and is “typically a third to half the cost” of replacing concrete, Emma says.
While leveling can be performed on cracked concrete as well, there are times when replacement is the better option for homeowners.
The roof and gutters are other important parts of your home’s exterior that should not be neglected. Nick Onega of Tri State Roofing recommends having your roof inspected routinely to assess any damage, and doing regular preventative care to your gutters to prevent overflow and clogging.
“I’d say every couple of years just have someone look at it and re-caulk some areas,” Nick says. “For siding, it just depends on the type. Clean your gutters out, preferably yearly, and you can put gutter guards on, too.”
While gutter cleanings are often accessible projects for homeowners to perform on their own, roof repair and replacement are both big projects that are best left to professionals, Nick says. There’s often a good indicator that it’s time to replace completely. “If it’s super old or super brittle, sometimes you just can’t repair it,” Nicks says. “It's going to keep on breaking and cracking and tearing.”
As we saw in the spring, storms created issues for homeowners around Columbus who endured damage from high winds, tornados and hail. If you're unsure or worried about the wear and tear on your home's exterior, Nick explains there are a few ways you can tell if storms have caused damage through a visual assessment.
“For wind, you’ll see [loose] shingles, and even bent shingles,” Nicks says. “For hail, on your downspouts and gutters there will be dings. And If you have any kind of soft metal on the house, you’ll see damage there.”
Doing regular maintenance on your roof, concrete and other outside areas of your home can shorten your honey-do list significantly, and keep your home looking great in the process. And if necessary, making a quick call to a professional will get the job done straight away.