4 Home Maintenance Services That Prevent Costly Damage and Repairs

We've all heard the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Benjamin Franklin may not have been talking about residential property maintenance when he said that, but it's never truer than when it's applied to home maintenance service.

Frisco homeowners take a lot of pride in their homes and like to keep their property looking and functioning at its best, but that can be very frustrating when you don't have the time, tools, or expertise to take care of regular maintenance tasks for everyday household issues. Sadly, if those "little" problems are neglected, they worsen and spiral into huge headaches that are time-consuming and expensive to repair.

The answer is professional home maintenance services from Mr. Handyman of Frisco. Not only could our experienced handymen make your home more comfortable for you and your family, but they could also lower your utility bill with home maintenance services that make your home more energy-efficient and prevent costly damage before it has a chance to take hold.

1. Gutter Cleaning & Repair

Would it surprise you to learn that gutter repair and cleaning is among the most critical maintenance projects you need to protect your home against serious damage? Most homeowners don't realize how much those little troughs on their roof eaves actually do and how badly they are needed. We're putting it in the number one spot because it really is that important.

Under normal circumstances, your gutters collect all the rainwater that falls on your roof, then channel it safely into downspouts where it’s funneled away from the house without causing any harm. That may not sound impressive, but just one inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces 620 gallons of water. The average annual rainfall in Frisco is about 40 inches, higher than the national average. That means 24,800 gallons of water fall on your house every year—or much more if you have a larger roof.

When your rain gutters are crammed full of dead leaves, dirt, animal nests, and other debris, all that water has nowhere to go and pours down the exterior of your home instead—causing severe problems that range from a leaky roof to a cracked foundation, affecting everything in between. Water damage could degrade the structural stability of your entire house and encourage the growth of mold and mildew that threatens the health of your family.

Not up to the task of spending your weekend up on a wobbly ladder scooping handfuls of rotten debris from gutters? No problem—Mr. Handyman will get your gutters sparkling clean and repair any breaks or weak points while we're at it. We even install gutter guards to help stop them from filling up so fast in the future.

2. Window & Door Frame Repair

Door and window frames are usually made of wood, either on the exterior, the inside of the house, or both. This makes them vulnerable to wood rot—a form of decay caused by excess moisture in timber—because they are exposed directly to the elements or form an entry point for moisture to get into your house. (And where does all that moisture come from? Usually from broken, overflowing rain gutters.)

Wood rot causes timber to soften and crumble apart. When window and door frames rot, or even wooden doors themselves, the seal keeping your home safe and dry is broken. Decayed frames let in air drafts that change the temperature of your home, causing your HVAC system to use more energy to keep up. They also let moisture into your walls and ceiling, where it festers and causes support beams to rot. Once timber has begun to rot, there's no way to restore it to its previous condition and strength—it needs to be replaced, which might involve replacing entire sections of your house if the damage is allowed to spread over time. Needless to say, wood rot mitigation is expensive and stressful, which is why it's important to know how to prevent wood rot in your Frisco home.

By maintaining your door and window frames and replacing rotten wood on frames before they fall apart, our exterior trim repair helps prevent moisture incursion and the spread of wood rot, saving you money and your peace of mind.

3. Dryer Vent Cleaning

If you've ever had to hang laundry on a clothesline to dry, you know how convenient it is to have an automatic clothes dryer. But did you know your dryer won't function safely or efficiently without regular air duct cleaning?

Your dryer vents excess hot, humid air through the ductwork when it's drying your laundry, while lint and other debris gather in the lint trap. Over time, lint also makes its way into the duct, where it partially or completely obstructs airflow. When a dryer doesn't vent properly, it won't effectively remove moisture from fabric and it works much harder to dry your clothes, using more energy and raising your utility bill. Not to mention, it could create a spark that sets the flammable lint ablaze, sending flames racing through the walls of your home.

Unfortunately, this happens more frequently than people think. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 2,900 clothes dryer fires are reported in the United States every year, resulting in five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Given that information, dryer vent cleaning is the most crucial home maintenance service to prevent costly damage—and much more importantly, to keep your family safe.

4. Pressure Washing

It may seem odd at first that pressure washing prevents damage—isn't it just for washing dirt off your siding or driveway? It definitely does an excellent job at cleaning off dirt and making your outdoor surfaces look brand-new again, but pressure washing is not all about appearances.

Pressure washers are capable of producing pressures that range from 750 to 3,000 psi (pound-force per square inch), which is capable of blasting away built-up grime and stains that other cleaning methods don't budge. For comparison, a typical faucet produces pressures of around 50 psi. This equipment is highly effective for getting into every nook and cranny of your outdoor surfaces and items, removing grime and harmful bacteria that eat away at finishes and leave the material underneath vulnerable to bigger problems — such as wood rot.

Pressure washing also removes loose paint and other debris from decks and porches far faster and easier than sanding, effectively priming them to be refinished. Professional pressure washing is an important part of your home maintenance service that not only prevents damage but also improves the look of your property — and increases your property value.

Rely on Mr. Handyman for Comprehensive Home Maintenance Service in Frisco

Whether you're in Frisco or a nearby area such as Little Elm, Celina, or The Colony, you can rely on the service pros at Mr. Handyman of Frisco for the home maintenance services listed above and many additional maintenance services that will enhance your home's comfort and livability. Our skilled handymen also have years of experience in repair and renovation trades, from carpentry to tile installation and much more.

Give us a call today to request service or get some expert advice so you can make an informed decision about the care and maintenance of your home!