For many homeowners, making the outside of their homes beautiful and creating curb appeal is an essential part of home-ownership. A house with curb appeal tends to stand out from the rest and can help increase the value of the property. However, there are some exterior updates that you may be considering that could end up causing damage to your home.

Planting too Close to the House

If you are considering redesigning your home’s landscaping, there are several things that you need to consider. If you are looking to add trees, shrubs, vines, or other plants to your landscape, it is imperative to avoid planting them too close to your home. Trees, shrubs, and plants that have been placed too close to your home can cause extensive damage, resulting in expensive repairs.

Along with damaging the siding, as trees mature, they can begin to penetrate your home through cracks and gaps in your eaves, eventually raising the roof joist up a few millimeters at a time. They can also invade your plumbing, and block and collapsing sewer lines, resulting in significant repairs, warns Maureen Gilmer at the Landscaping Network.

Poor Drainage on Your Patio

Patios have become popular outdoor extensions to the home in recent years, and when it is constructed correctly, it’s something that you and your family can enjoy for years to come. However, if it develops a water problem, it can take considerable attention and money to fix the problem. If your patio has poor drainage, the first thing you will probably notice is standing water.   However, if it develops a water problem, it can take considerable attention and money to fix the problem. If your patio has poor drainage, the first thing you will probably notice is standing water.

In the case of standing water, while it doesn’t look the best and can create a problem with bugs, it doesn’t result in any long-term damage. However, more substantial issues could result in water running up against the house, which could result in rot or mold, warns Hunker.com writer Josh Hulbert. If you don’t have proper drainage on your patio, the problem could even extend into your home, causing flooding, backed-up plumbing, and cracks in your foundation. Composite decking is a great option for your back patio, make sure to connect with Decks & Docks Lumber Company for all of your dock material. 

Excessive Moisture

While covered porches can boost your property’s value without having to spend a lot of money, they can also cause significant damage to your home. Depending on where you live, your covered porch can be vulnerable to the development of mildew and mold. If left untreated, these harmful organisms can get into your home, causing your family to become ill.

Most covered porches will have a problem with moisture, which results in the growth of mold and mildew because the moisture gets onto the ceilings and is not able to dry out fast enough, this is especially true during the rainy season. To help prevent this, consider installing a ceiling fan to help stop mold from forming on the ceiling of your covered patio and spreading throughout your home.

Upgrading the exterior of your home is always a good idea, especially if you are looking to sell your home. However, there are some improvements, which if not done correctly could end up costing you even more than the added value they would bring.