Home Maintenance Tips for Coastal Dwellers

Whether your seaside home is your permanent residence, a vacation getaway, or an investment rental unit, it needs your tender loving care to stay in good condition in its never ending battle against the elements.

Given the asset value of your home, it’s crucial to maintain it to the best of your ability. We advise scheduling routine inspections and maintenance, so you don’t leave essential needs unattended. As both your neighbor and NJ Coastal Home Insurance expert, we wish to help you with the following tips to keep your home as trouble-free as possible.

HVAC

Start with your HVAC unit. It is the workhorse that keeps your home at desirable temperatures year-round. And, other than a new roof, it’s the most expensive to replace. As such, it makes sense to invest in regular maintenance.

Many HVAC shops offer contracts to service your unit in the spring and fall. Find a reliable provider and schedule them to service the unit before they get crazy busy. Averting potential failures and extending your unit’s life while lowering your utility bills makes following this advice an easy choice.

Roof

Keeping your roof in tip-top shape is critical. When winds bring high-velocity gusts pounding your home, it’s crucial to inspect it after each windstorm or hurricane. Additionally, it would help if you checked it at least once per year for damage, missing tiles or shingles, or signs of deterioration. When you have any problems, get them fixed ASAP. Water damage and leaks can turn a relatively inexpensive fix into a costly nightmare.

Gutters and Downspouts

Before tree leaves come down in the fall, you should check and clear debris from your gutters and downspouts. Make sure water from them or elsewhere on your property drains away from your home.

Landscaping

Your landscaping beauties your home and offers some protection for it too. But it’s also a hazard if a tree is not trimmed correctly, has branches too close to your abode, or roots pushing against sidewalks or other structures. Overgrown shrubbery can cause damage when it is too close to your foundation. It can produce harm by rubbing against your home or inadvertently diverting water toward it. 

Exterior Structures, Furniture, and Siding

In addition to the siding that clads your home, most coastal properties have exterior structures such as a deck, outbuildings, fences, gazebos, spas, docks, boardwalks, and more that take a beating from the sun and weather. They are exposed to the elements 24/7 year-round, making them vulnerable and in need of your regular attention. You want to inspect them to determine they are in good structural condition and working order.

Close to the ocean means damp salt air constantly eats away at wood and metal. A quality protectant, whether paint, stain, sealer, or some combination of them, will add curb appeal and, more importantly, lengthen their use. Pressure washing the siding, decks, and other exposed surfaces to remove salt and any decay it causes is necessary, especially before treatment. Doing this allows your sealants and paints to provide their complete protection capabilities.

Your grill and outdoor furniture also wear down due to sun exposure, weather, and use. Keep them free from salt deposits and, if possible, store them inside when not in use. Such preventative care will keep them looking good and lasting longer. Items made with rust-resistant metal are a solid recommendation. Non-resistant metal surfaces will stand up better when maintained with outdoor paint or other treatment formulated for coastal areas.

Doors and Windows

It’s crucial to check your doors, windows, and any other access to your home to avoid expensive repairs. Make sure they open and close with ease, and all hardware is screwed tight. Check for air and potential water leaks. Refurbish old and worn weatherstripping. 

If either your doors or windows show signs of aging, you should consider replacing them. Advancements in technology make modern doors and windows stronger, more resilient, with better insulating and weatherproofing factors. By upgrading, you will enhance your home value, lower your utility bill, and strengthen your security against wind and crime. 

Interior Surfaces

Salt rides on air and invades your seaside home to cover everything in it. As such, it’s advisable to wipe clean horizontal and vertical surfaces. Floors, walls, countertops, appliances, windows, window ledges, doors, shades, shutters, lamps, and hardware need periodic maintenance to slow down salt air deterioration. Use clean water or a mild cleaning solution suitable for coastal homes. 

As you clean, look for mildew because coastal homes are more likely to have problems if dampness gets in places kept closed up for an extended period. Mold develops on any surface, including walls, cabinets, hard and soft furniture, and more. Airing out the home helps, but routine cleaning along with it is better. Wipe all surfaces with mildew-resistant cleaning products that will inhibit its growth.

Lastly, it’s a helpful suggestion to create a checklist to make sure you inspect everything that requires your attention. Then put the inspection on your calendar and commit to doing it without fail. An additional suggestion for your checklist is to review your NJ Coastal Home Insurance policy. Many insurance companies have left the market or are aggressively scaling back on limits and policy terms.

Because of our 55 years of experience, expertise, and market access, at Dickstein Associates Agency, we can secure coverage for coastal residents. We understand your needs and how to address them best. We work to deliver policies that will cover losses affecting the dwelling, its contents, loss of use, rental income, personal possessions (for those renting out their homes), and personal liability.

About Dickstein Associates Agency

Dickstein Associates Agency has distinguished itself as a leading provider of personal and business insurance in the tri-state area since 1965. We pride ourselves on being advocates for our clients and providing them with quality and affordable coverages. As Trusted Choice™ independent insurance agency, we partner with various national and regional carriers, allowing for flexible coverage for each client’s unique circumstances. For more information on how you can leverage all your insurance to work best for you, and how we can secure the best insurance in the marketplace suited to your specific needs and business objectives, contact us today at (800) 862-6662 or www.dicksteininsurance.com.