You just moved into your new beach house, and it’s everything you hoped it would be. The cool breezes by the water feel incredible, the scenic view of the ocean puts you in a good mood, and the endless sunlight keeps you healthy and active. Now, let’s make sure this dream home is taken care of properly, so the happy days continue.
Below are the top maintenance tips for keeping a coastline home in mint condition:
Replace the Air Conditioning Filter
You want to be doing this at least once a month. The salt in the air can sometimes be a bit overwhelming when living on the beach, so you want to make sure the air you’re breathing inside your home is fresh and clean. Although the salty air can have its benefits, it’s best to keep this in moderation and leave it for the outdoor activities.
Keep Windows and Doors Sealed
You always want to make sure your windows and doors are sealed and shut completely. When living by the beach, you’ll experience thunderstorms, and possibly even worse, a few mild hurricanes. At the least, pay attention to the amount of time the windows are open when the humidity is very high. It’s understandable that when living in a beach house, you want the cool summer breeze blowing through the home. Therefore, when opening up the windows for fresh air, attempt to only do it on days when the humidity is down.
Pressure Wash the House
This should be a relatively inexpensive and straightforward task, yet extremely important. With the high wind speeds along the coast, it’s almost inevitable that sand, dirt, and dust will fly up and hit the home. Pressure wash the outside of the house to keep it looking clean and flawless. Also, this will prevent mildew from forming and keep the paint shinning.
Wipe Down the Counters Inside
There will be a lot of moisture in the air as well as salt. Keep disinfectant wipes on hand to keep your countertops clean. All tables, chairs, and inside furniture must have its fair share of attention when it comes to cleaning time.
Reseal Your Deck
You want to do this at least once a year. The intense heat and sunlight can be detrimental to the looks of the wooden deck, so make sure you make this a priority.
Sweep Often
To prevent sand from being scattered throughout your home, keep a broom and dustpan nearby. Vacuum cleaners were not designed to pick up every grain of sand, so make sure you’re sweeping instead. It would be best if you also tried to stay away from carpeting as much as possible. Over time carpet attracts the moisture from the air and the ocean, making it a breeding ground for mold.
Hire a Landscaper
You want to make sure your yard is free of tall trees and potentially hazardous branches in case of a severe thunderstorm. The last thing you want is to have to repair the roof or a broken window because a tree fell over and crashed into your awesome beach house.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it: nothing too time-consuming or high-maintenance, just a couple simple tasks to keep the beach house in great shape. Go ahead and take the initiative to cross these few items off the to-do list to make the best of coastline living.
About Danny Margagliano
Danny Margagliano has over a decade of experience selling 30a real estate. He works for 30a Local Properties along the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida. He specializes in working with residential investment properties and second homes. Danny also is a former professional surfer as well as a firefighter paramedic.
