It’s always a good idea to keep your home in tip top shape because you never know when you may have to sell. Local home inspectors say it’s a good idea to start with your deck.  First off, inspect it. Start by cleaning the surface with soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. Then check for splinters and popped nails; break off splinters, sand sharp edges, hammer nails, and tighten screws. Finally, check the structure for rotten boards, broken railings, and wobbly steps. If you discover extensive damage to the deck, consider a replacement.

Next up, give your front door a makeover. A fresh coat can transform your home’s facade for the cost of a quart of paint. Choose a color that’s appropriate to the architecture. Traditional homes calls for historically correct hues, say a red or black door on a white Colonial-style home. For a Federal-style brick building, earth tones, including brown and green, are the best complement, or you can pick up the neutral hue of the mortar.

Now let’s talk about your roof. Button up the envelope. A leaky roof allows water to penetrate inside, where it can ruin insulation and drywall, and create opportunity for mold. On a sunny day, use binoculars to spot cracked, curled, or missing shingles, which are signs that the roof is near its end of life. Also check flashing around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys, and the rubber boots around vets for cracks. If you know that your roof needs to be replaced, you should look into a metal roof. More and more homeowners are making the switch to metal because it lasts three times as long as traditional asphalt roofs, is extremely energy efficient, and can withstand extreme weather conditions. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a trusted leader in the industry and would love to show you why metal is a choice that is becoming more and more popular.