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A lot of families have a secondary home, such as a beach house, to provide an additional location to spend holidays and vacation time with loved ones. That said, owning a second property can be a daunting and time-consuming task, as it requires significant upkeep and maintenance.
For example, when you are responsible for a second property you not only need to consider property taxes and household fees (i.e. electricity bills), but you also need to consider annual maintenance. Namely, properties require regular care to ensure that they are livable, clean and safe. This maintenance can range from yard work to heating and cooling systems, to foundational repairs, and more. Further, some of this work is seasonal and required every year. For example, leaf removal and seaweed pickup along the water. However, some maintenance will be sporadic due to weather conditions (i.e. storms and water damage). As a result, you may require significant repairs on your second home at times when you aren’t even using your second property regularly. So if you already own a second home, it is critical that you take the time to perform repairs and regular maintenance. Consider that taking these measures proactively will help turn your house back into a home.
To learn more about the specific measures you can take regarding regular beach house maintenance, be sure to keep reading below.
Keep Temperature in Mind
When you are on a waterfront property, it is important that you make the space as comfortable as possible. Consider that you may have friends and family staying with you regularly and you want to make sure all your guests are as comfortable as possible. That said, one way in which you and your guests are sure to be uncomfortable is with a broken air conditioning unit. When you begin doing repairs on your property, the first place you should start is with any AC maintenance needs you might have. Start by checking your AC unit to ensure there are no leaks. If you notice your AC repair is more substantial than changing the filter, you may want to contact your AC repair service ASAP.
Further, if your AC repair is needed on a machine with a warranty, you should first reach out to the manufacturing company. These steps may seem overwhelming or lengthy at first, but it is imperative that you take the time to create a cool living space. Beachfront living can be enjoyable, calming, and fun but if you are uncomfortably hot, you won’t be able to focus on the fun times.
Create a Welcoming Outdoor Setting
When you walk past a property, whether it be a regular house or beachfront home, one of the first things you tend to notice is the exterior. This often includes decorations, house paint color, and the lawn. The lawn is immediately noticeable, as it’s the first aspect of a home spotted by someone walking by. For this reason, it is imperative that you take the time to invest and maintain high-quality green spaces.
This starts with landscaping. Should you choose to hire a landscape service, be sure to do your research as you will want to meet with the landscaper to ensure they share the same green vision for your yard as you do! Second, you need to consider the type of grass you have in your yard. To ensure your yard looks as good as it can, consider investing in hydrograss services. Hydrograss is the process of using a machine to evenly apply seeds and water to grow high-quality grass for your hard. This is a superior process perfect for any beachfront property, as once you grow the grass it is easy to maintain and makes your home look great. Further, this system can be outsourced to a company so you aren’t overwhelmed with home repairs and maintenance on your own. Lastly, consider the benefits of residential fencing to protect the grass and garden you’ve created on your beachfront property. The thought of a fence can seem bulky and outdated. That said, there are innumerable fencing options to choose from to ensure you still have the opportunity to display your yard while simultaneously protecting it.
Take Care of Your Plumbing
When it comes to beachfront properties, there can sometimes be issues with water as the “beach life” and “lake life” operate a little differently than your year-round, residential home. Consider, that beach properties tend to have different operating systems as they are designed for short-term or semi-annual use. For these reasons, you need to take the time to ensure that any septic tank repair projects are addressed ahead of your stay at the beach. Start by reviewing all systems in your home to ensure they are fully functioning and working to maximum efficiency. If you notice any issue with a system, such as a leak, slowed system or error in the septic tank itself, reach out to a repair center as soon as possible. Note, that this step is imperative as you need to address septic tank issues as soon as, or before, they arise. Should a septic tank or sewer line break and go unanswered the financial costs associated can be astronomical as you will need to replace the entire system.
Considering these issues, consider taking the following steps to protect yourself from unwanted feed and drastic repairs. First, have your septic system checked on an annual basis by a certified repair company. A maintenance and repair company will not only tell you about ongoing issues but can help diagnose possible issues with your septic system. Second, be sure to clean your septic system when you close your beach house for the season, as you don’t want any issues to arise from afar. By following these steps you can think ahead and account for common issues associated with septic tank issues.
Maintain Your Driveway
When considering projects around your home for the upcoming beach season, it is important to account for whether or not you will need to invest in residential asphalt paving. First and foremost, certain properties might require that you use this service to create a clean appearance throughout a neighborhood. That said, other properties may prevent you from installing new pavement in order to preserve the natural elements near the beach. Thus, you need to start with determining the laws and regulations in your neighborhood to protect yourself from unnecessary fees. Once you determine what, if any, pavement projects you can manage be sure to research the various types of asphalt paving on the market. Depending on the company you choose, in addition to the length of the driveway and specific service, the fees can vary greatly. Further, if you are looking for repair services for destroyed pavement, you likely need to find a specialist who is familiar with pavement repairs. For all these reasons, the best thing you can do is research your options before paying for any maintenance service or addition.
Remember Fire Safety Best Practices
When it comes to fire safety, the issue can often be overlooked. The fact is no one can predict when or how a fire may start. In order to ensure your beachfront house is properly protected, it is imperative that you create a fire safety checklist to account for possible issues. First, be sure to have a fire alarm inspection on a regular basis. This is one of the most critical steps as it’s the initial safeguard to protect your home from fire damage. Second, it is necessary that you invest in fire extinguishers as an additional safeguard. Further, consider additional measures such as fire escape safety later and family escape plan. By taking the time to research and invest in these measures you can make your home a safe space, and take the worry away from the beachside fun.
Don’t Skip Gutter Maintenance
When it comes to cleaning your gutters, it’s easy to put it off. Gutter maintenance can be time-consuming, costly and quite honestly, a boring process. That said, gutters play a critical roll in keeping debris away from your home. This fact is even more true in beachfront and water properties, as a single beach storm can lead to serious destruction. Keep in mind that gutters should be cleaned at least two times a year. However, most people fail to clean them on a basis as regular as that. In order to protect yourself from gutter related problems, consider cleaning your gutters at the start of the beach season and when you close your beachfront home and return to your full-time residence. Further, if cleaning gutters is something you just cannot stand, reach out to a local gutter cleaning company that specializes in these types of projects. Not only will a company have more knowledge about the process, but a small fee now for regular cleaning can save you big money from potential long-term problems down the road.
All in all, when it comes to beachfront properties there are numerous steps you need to consider in order to prepare your home for the beach season. From fencing decisions to yard options, to heating and cooling systems, there are hundreds of decisions that you need to make in order to properly care for a second home. This process starts with regular maintenance and repairs as well as consistently invested time to care for a second home. Consider that taking the effort to properly prepare your home as opposed to trying quick fixes will save you money long-term and make your home that much more comfortable for your stay. Further, finding companies who are well-versed in your specific repair needs will help alleviate some of the stress associated with maintaining a second property.