A well built home can go for years with little upkeep from the owner, but that isn't to suggest that the house doesn't need attention along the way. A contractor experienced in complete home renovations knows that failure to take basic steps to protect your home investment will lead to problems down the road.

Some of the home maintenance items you should consider are:

1. Yearly Termite Inspections - Most of the chemicals used today to control termites do not provide the long lasting defense of those from years past. This is because many of them have been banned for environmental reasons. It is very important to have thorough inspections performed annually because a home can be destroyed by these pests.

2. Caulk as Necessary - Although some caulk materials are guaranteed for twenty years, most of them don't hold up even near that long because of conditions when applied and the quality of the application. Caulking is needed to seal out air and water, and a small breech can allow water into critical areas where it can cause mildew, rot framing, and present other moisture problems. Additionally, air intrusion can add to heating and cooling costs.

3. Check HVAC Equipment - Not only is the heat pump or other heat and cooling equipment expensive to operate, it is expensive to replace. The compressor unit is generally guaranteed for five years, but other parts may only be covered for a year. Maintaining an annual service contract with a qualified technician can often identify any issues that may be inexpensively repaired if caught early.

4. Maintain Soil Moisture – The soils in many areas around North Texas are extremely expansive depending on the level of moisture in the soil.  If the soil moisture around the foundation is allowed vary significantly from season to season, it may cause the foundation to flex beyond the tolerances for which it was designed causing it to fail.  Maintaining consistent soil moisture around the foundation can prevent this from happening.

5.  Trim The Trees – Another way to protect the foundation is to keep trees and shrubs trimmed to a manageable level.  The bigger the tree the broader the root structure to feed it.  One of the places tree roots like to grow is under the foundation as there is more moisture there than in the surrounding soil.  Eliminating the tree’s need for additional moisture can protect your foundation from damage in the years ahead.

No matter what a home may have been valued at when it was built, one that is allowed to deteriorate may not be worth much without extensive renovations. Protecting the investment through the years reduces the risk of expensive improvements that may have been avoided with proper care and maintenance.