You’ve finally decided to follow your heart and purchase the mountain cabin you’ve always wanted. That’s great! Having the opportunity to live in the mountains, cozy up in your own cabin, and look at the views from the mountaintops every day for the rest of your life is truly a privilege that many people will never have.
There’s nothing like sitting out on your patio on a warm spring morning and listening to the birds calling to one another in the trees. It’s also a pleasure to build a fire in the cabin’s fireplace and watch the snow fall in the winter from the coziness of your mountain home. However, one thing you need to know before you decide to follow your heart and purchase one of the mountain homes you’ve had your eye on, is that maintenance on these types of homes is a little different from maintenance on homes down in the valley of North Carolina, Charleston or wherever you decide to purchase your home.
From pressure washing the driveway and patio so that there’s no mold or mildew build up on the exterior of your home to letting in enough sunlight for the indoor plants you’ve purchased or being sure you have adequate pest control, there’s a lot to do whether it’s spring, summer, winter or fall. So, while you’re bringing home floor plants inside to decorate your new home, keep on reading this article, to find a few tips on how to maintain your gorgeous mountain home the right way.
Look for signs of mold and mildew regularly.
Since you’re living in the mountains the exterior of your home is going to be exposed to a lot of moisture. It’s important to look for signs of mold and mildew on your patio, the exterior, and inside of your home. You can cut down on this, and make sure that the outside of your home is clean and bright by talking to the Charleston pressure washing experts about getting rid of the grime, algae, dirt, and debris that can cling to the surfaces of your home, deck, patio, and other areas. As a homeowner, you’re going to want to have a pressure washing service come out and pressure wash your things on a regular basis when you live in the mountains.
Keep up with your pest control.
When you live in the mountains in a log home, you’re going to have to deal with pests that could destroy the wood and take up residence in your home as well. The best way to do this is by hiring a reputable pest control service to come out and inspect and spray your property on a monthly basis.
Keep your gutters and downspouts covered.
Along with the spectacular mountain views come a lot of leaves that fall in the autumn of the year. That’s why it’s important to keep your gutters and downspouts covered with a wire mesh cover, so that they don’t become filled with leaves and debris. If they do become clogged, then rain water or snow runoff will have no place to go and will eventually sink through your roof and into your home, where it will create all kinds of problems that you don’t want to deal with.
Check your homes roof regularly.
The spring rains, summer thunderstorms, and snowy winters can easily wreak havoc on the roof of your home. No matter what materials the roof is made of, you need to have regular inspections done to ensure it’s in good shape and can stand up to the stormy summers and harsh winters that living in the mountains can bring. Make sure that any inspection done concentrates especially on the seams around chimneys and anywhere that your rooflines intersect, as these places are where debris collects the most.
If you have any missing shingles, tiles or other materials from the roof, make sure to have a reliable roofing company come out and fix it for you. Never try to repair or replace a roof yourself if you’re inexperienced, as it can end in an accident or worse. It’s best to let the professionals handle the inspection and repairing or replacing of your roof because they are trained to do so.
Check your chimney, fireplace, and damper before winter.
Living in the mountains usually means that you’re going to be in for some pretty serious snowstorms. It also means that your home probably has a fireplace and that you’re going to want to fire it up as soon as the weather starts to turn a little bit chilly. It’s important for you to have the chimney, fire pit, and even the damper inspected well before you light that first fire of the season. There are many fires every year that are caused by a damper being clogged or a chimney not being up to par. It’s even possible that a bird has built a nest in the area where you light your fires, and that you could end up with smoke backing up into your home instead of out of the flue like it’s supposed too.
Keep wood stored away from your home.
If you don’t want to end up with termites, raccoons and rodents in your home with you during the winter months, it’s best to store your firewood away from the house. While it’s tempting to put the wood right next to the house where you can step out onto your front porch, grab an armful, and go back inside where it’s warm, it’s not a good idea. Instead, try putting your wood in another spot, but make sure it’s at least 18-inches off the ground to keep it from getting wet and refusing to light when you need it to the most.
These are just a few maintenance tips you need to know about when you’re making your home in the mountains. While the mountains are breathtaking no matter the season, living in them takes a bit of work on your part to make your house truly a home.
