Home Maintenance More Important than Ever as Housing Market Tumbles

Oct. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- RIDGEWOOD, N.J.  – This year more than ever, the housing market is on the decline. According to recent data released by real estate website Zillow.com, home values posted the largest decline in the first quarter since late 2008. In fact, prices have fallen for 57 consecutive months, according to Zillow.

Now that the days of “house flipping” are on hold for most Americans, homeowners have postponed buying and selling property. Instead, they’re turning their attention to inexpensive household maintenance, knowing that taking preventative measures to boost home quality will save time, energy and money in the future.

“It’s important for homeowners to take care of their long term investments by doing a little inexpensive up-keep,” said Karen Sager, president and CEO of MasterShield® Gutter Protection (http://www.mastershield.com), the long-time industry authority in gutter guards. “Extensive home remodeling isn’t necessary when a few simple projects can keep a house looking brand new and prevent future damage.”  

What can happen if a home is not maintained properly? According to Sager, more than most homeowners may think.  

Gutter Gaffs
Gutters often accumulate and trap unwanted debris such as leaves, twigs and needles that interfere with water management. Clogged gutters can not only manifest puddles of water, attracting disease-carrying mosquitoes and other bugs, but also cost homeowners thousands of dollars in water damage whether it be from rotting wood in frames and siding, landscape erosion or foundation repair. Furthermore, clogged gutters can lead to congested underground drains where debris can collect until an expensive  remedy is required.  (http://info.mastershield.com/Master-Shield-Gutter-Guard-B...)

Energy Emissions
During cooler months, heat transfer comes from the living space of a home up into the attic. Approximately 25-40 percent of the energy used to heat a home is lost through the roof. Plus, as much as 12 percent of a house’s heating loss occurs around windows and doors. Drafts and air leaks can increase energy costs and waste valuable resources. Moisture can also seep through cracks in windows and doors, causing water damage to homes.  

Here are three simple projects that can help homeowners strengthen their properties, and effectively save time, energy and money in the long-run:

1. Install MasterShield Gutter Guards
Gutter guards are typically plastic or metal protectors installed over gutter troughs to block unwanted debris from collecting and limiting gutters from moving unwanted water away from a home. MasterShield Gutter Protection is the nation’s premier micromesh gutter protection and revolutionary industry leader in gutter guard technology, boasting a water filtration system and self cleaning properties superior to industry standards (http://info.mastershield.com/Master-Shield-Gutter-Guard-B...). The product successfully blocks obstructions such as leaves, twigs, and even tiny shingle grit, from accumulating in gutters. The gutter guards also protect gutter exteriors from water damage, mold, grime and residue accumulation, and surface cracking.

“MasterShield gutter guards form a protective barrier that shelters a home from permanent water and insect damage,” said Edward “Alex” Higginbotham, the industry authority in gutter guards, former contractor and MasterShield Gutter Protection inventor. “They are able to block debris and withstand inclement weather conditions while consistently filtering water. The gutter guards are also self-cleaning so minimal maintenance is required on the part of the homeowner.”

2. Add insulation
Insulation is material used in homes to reduce heat flow out of the structure during winter months. Windows, doors, roofs, walls and air infiltration barriers are all important sources of heat loss, making the attic floor and the top story ceiling primary candidates for insulation. Homeowners can choose from a plethora of materials, including fiberglass, radiant insulation, rock wool, foam, plastic fibers and even recycled materials.

Insulating a home makes the living environment more comfortable by maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the space. Insulation makes walls, ceilings and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and also saves money and energy resources. Supplementing attics with insulation can effectively cut energy bills by 15 percent or more.

3. Caulk and weather-strip
Caulking seals cracks and joints around a home, keeping air and moisture out. Homeowners should caulk all joints between the foundation and siding, the roof overhang and the house, around vents, open holes where wires, pipes or cables enter the home, and around chimneys and water spigots. Caulking can effectively saves homeowners up to 10 percent on energy costs, while preventing water damage inside and outside of a house.

Weather-stripping seals air leaks around movable joints such as windows, garage doors and any entrance doors. It should be installed around casings and jambs so a complete seal is created. Many materials can be used, including felt, foam, tape, tubular rubber and reinforced silicone. Weather-stripping saves homeowners time and money, and prevents insulation damage as moisture can reduce its effectiveness and amplify heat loss.

While many homeowners have suspended household remodeling projects and pushed off buying and selling property due to the shaky economy, simple inexpensive projects are still important in order to maintain home investments and preserve energy efficiency.

“The instant gratification of expensive remodeling and increasing ‘curb appeal’ is often more attractive to homeowners in the short-term,” said Sager. “But it’s taking preventative measures like installing micromesh gutter guards, adding insulation, caulking and weather-stripping that will effectively save money, prevent damages and protect property features in the long-run.”  

About MasterShield
MasterShield (http://www.mastershield.com) is the latest generation of gutter protection from Edward "Alex" Higginbotham, the inventor of micromesh gutter guards. It revolutionized the industry by being the first gutter guard to combine a micro filter with a strong but flexible recycled aluminum body, allowing the product to be installed with the pitch of the roof. MasterShield filters water to 50 microns, about half the width of a human hair, so that nothing but water will enter your gutter. Keeping gutters clear and free flowing helps prevent water damage and eliminates breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects. All MasterShield dealerships are independently owned and operated.

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