Home Maintenance After a Remodel or New Build in Colorado
Building a new home or completing a remodel is an exciting investment. Once construction is finished, however, your home begins another important phase; settling, adjusting, and responding to Colorado's changing seasons.
Even a brand new home requires maintenance. Materials expand and contract, caulking can shrink, doors may need minor adjustments, soil can settle, and mechanical systems require routine care.
The good news? A little preventative maintenance can help protect your investment and catch small concerns before they become expensive problems.
>Free Colorado Home Maintenance Checklist<
We've put together an easy to follow Colorado Home Maintenance Checklist covering spring, summer, fall, winter, severe weather, and the important first year after a remodel or new build.
Download it, print it, and keep it with your home records.
Homeowner Note: This guide provides general maintenance information. Always follow manufacturer instructions, warranty requirements, applicable building requirements, and recommendations from qualified professionals for your particular home.
Expect Some Normal Settling:
During the first year, your home will experience its first complete cycle of Colorado seasons.
You may notice:
-small drywall cracks
-nail pops
-minor gaps around trim
-doors that need adjustment
-or caulking that begins to separate.
These don't necessarily indicate a construction problem.
Keep an eye on them and photograph anything you're concerned about so you can determine whether it's stable or changing.
Bear Roots Tip:
Take a photo when you first notice something and another a few weeks or months later. It's one of the easiest ways to monitor changes in your home.
Keep Water Away From Your Home:
Proper drainage is one of the most important parts of maintaining a Colorado home.
>Check gutters and downspouts regularly and make sure water continues to drain away from your foundation.
Newly disturbed soil can settle after construction, creating low areas where water collects.
>Periodically walk around your home and look for standing water, erosion, or soil beginning to slope toward the foundation.
Also make sure irrigation isn't continually spraying or saturating areas directly next to your home.
Check Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Systems:
Small problems are much easier to address when they're caught early.
>Periodically check under sinks, around toilets, appliances, showers, and your water heater for signs of moisture or leaks.
>Pay attention to electrical outlets, switches, and lighting. Persistent flickering, frequently tripped breakers, warm outlets, buzzing, or burning odors should be evaluated by a qualified electrician.
>Your HVAC system also needs regular attention. Check filters frequently, keep vents unobstructed, and have heating and cooling equipment serviced according to manufacturer recommendations.
Inspect Caulking, Grout & Wet Areas:
Caulk isn't permanent. It naturally shrinks and deteriorates over time.
Check showers, tubs, countertops, backsplashes, sinks, windows, exterior penetrations, and other areas where caulking helps keep moisture out.
Replacing deteriorated caulking is a simple maintenance item that can prevent much larger moisture problems.
Bear Roots Tip:
Remove and replace caulking every 2 - 3 years. Especially if it's in an area that sees a lot of water.
Take Care of Your Exterior:
Colorado can be tough on homes.
Sun, hail, snow, wind, freezing temperatures, and rapid temperature changes can affect roofing, siding, stucco, decks, paint, trim, and exterior sealants
.
A few times each year—and after major storms—walk around your property and look for anything that has changed.
Pay particular attention to:
Roofing and gutters
Siding and stucco
Exterior paint and trim
Windows and doors
Decking and railings
Exterior caulking
Drainage and grading
After significant hail or wind, photograph anything that appears damaged and contact a qualified professional if you're unsure.
Prepare for Colorado Winters:
Before freezing weather arrives:
Disconnect garden hoses.
Winterize irrigation systems when appropriate.
Check exterior plumbing.
Know where your main water shutoff is located.
Keep required mechanical vents clear of snow.
Monitor plumbing during extended periods of extreme cold.
When removing snow or ice from decks, concrete, or specialty surfaces, always use products and tools recommended for that material.
Manage Colorado's Dry Climate:
Colorado's low humidity can affect hardwood flooring, cabinetry, doors, trim, and other natural materials.
Some seasonal expansion and contraction is normal. Maintaining reasonable indoor humidity and following manufacturer care recommendations can help minimize excessive movement.
Don't Forget Wildfire Maintenance:
If your property is located in a wildfire-prone or Wildland-Urban Interface area, routine exterior maintenance becomes even more important.
>Keep roofs and gutters clear of leaves and pine needles, prevent combustible debris from accumulating beneath decks, maintain vegetation around structures, and follow current recommendations from your local fire authority.
Keep Safety Features Updated
Safety should never be overlooked in a new or remodeled home.
Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace batteries yearly.
Ensure fire extinguishers are accessible and in working order.
Check stair railings and handrails for stability.
Review emergency exits and keep pathways clear.
Maintaining safety features protects your family and your home.
Plan for Seasonal Maintenance
Seasonal changes affect your home differently. Planning ahead helps you stay on top of maintenance tasks.
Spring: Inspect roof and gutters, service HVAC, check for winter damage.
Summer: Maintain landscaping, clean outdoor living spaces, check irrigation.
Fall: Prepare heating systems, seal windows and doors, clean chimneys.
Winter: Monitor for ice dams, protect pipes from freezing, check insulation.
A seasonal checklist keeps your home ready for changing weather.
Keep Your Home Records:
Create a simple file for your home containing:
Appliance manuals
Manufacturer warranties
Paint colors
Flooring and cabinet information
Plumbing fixture models
Roofing information
HVAC service records
Contractor invoices
Construction or remodel documents
Photos of completed work
You may not need this information today, but you'll be glad you have it when something needs maintenance or replacement years from now.
A Little Maintenance Goes a Long Way:
Your home is one of your largest investments. Maintaining it doesn't need to be complicated.
A few minutes spent checking your home throughout the year can help you identify small concerns before they turn into expensive repairs.
At Bear Roots Builders of Colorado, Inc., we believe taking care of our clients goes beyond completing construction. We want homeowners to understand their homes, know what to watch for, and enjoy their investment for years to come.
>Free Colorado Home Maintenance Checklist<
We've put together an easy-to-follow Colorado Home Maintenance Checklist covering spring, summer, fall, winter, severe weather, and the important first year after a remodel or new build.
Download it, print it, and keep it with your home records.
Homeowner Note: This guide provides general maintenance information. Always follow manufacturer instructions, warranty requirements, applicable building requirements, and recommendations from qualified professionals for your particular home.
Build it right. Maintain it well. Enjoy it for years to come.
Schedule a free consultation today or call us at 719-344-2824
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