4 Essential Maintenance Tips for Your Oceanfront Home

Living by the beach is a dream come true for many people out there, which, in fact, comes with a number of health benefits. From cleaner air promoting respiratory health and immune-boosting ocean breeze to promoting a more active lifestyle, your life can do a 180-degree turn after changing your habitat.

However, whether you are already browsing North Shore Place villas for sale or only considering moving closer to the beach, it is essential to realize that oceanfront house maintenance comes with some unique responsibilities and challenges compared to other homes.

This article covers the most crucial maintenance tasks to ensure your home stays in top condition. Apart from using resistant materials and watching for termites, you will also need to protect your metals from rusting, monitor humidity levels, and regularly clean your windows. Keep reading!

Rust Prevention and Protection

Metal bars and doors are the first things that will start to rust because they are exposed to saltwater, rain, and humidity. If you want to avoid this problematic condition, you need to invest in resistant materials, such as stainless steel. However, no matter what you use, it is essential to clean your metal parts and apply a protective coating regularly.

You have several options when it comes to rust prevention methods. Some of the most common ones include:

Spray-on coatings. These are applied to the metal surface and ensure that moisture doesn’t penetrate the material. In addition, they can include corrosion inhibitors and lubricants created to protect against the elements.
Powder coatings. The powder acts as a barrier between rust and metal. It is also an ideal option for metal frames as it is more durable than standard paint.
Spray-on sealants. Similar to spray-on coatings, these sealants can give your metal a shiny finish and protect it against rust.
Dry lubricants. These are applied to the metal surface and help prevent moisture from spreading into the material. They are also ideal for window frames as they make the opening and closing of windows easier.

In addition to using protective coatings, you need to clean your metal parts regularly. This is essential for maintaining their appearance and ensuring that they don’t start to rust. Here are a few simple steps to follow:

Use a wire brush to remove dirt, grease, and other contaminants.
Apply an abrasive cleaner to remove any remaining rust or corrosion.
Wipe the metal surface with a cloth soaked in rust remover to get rid of any leftover marks.
Make sure that no moisture remains on the metal surface!

Humidity Control

Living by the sea doesn’t mean that you will live in a tropical paradise year-round. In fact, air temperatures tend to be colder than on land, meaning your home will require more time to adjust to temperature changes. It can cause humidity problems in the form of mold growth, condensation, and leaks in your roof and walls.

To stop these problems from happening, it is essential to ensure that your home is properly insulated and sealed. If you have any damaged areas, you need to repair them immediately. Otherwise, any water leakage will not only cost you money but could also be harmful to your health.

In addition, you need to check the humidity levels in your home. If you have a humidifier or dehumidifier, you should use it regularly to ensure that the air doesn’t become too dry or moist. Alternatively, you might want to invest in a humidistat, which is a device that automatically monitors and maintains the optimal humidity level.

Window Maintenance

Proper window maintenance is essential for ensuring that your home stays in top condition and reduces the risk of leaks. Besides making sure that your windows are properly sealed (you should check them after each storm), there are three other tasks that you need to perform regularly:

Cleaning. Regularly clean your windows and use microfiber cloths and cleaning solutions designed for windows to avoid scratches and damages. Once you are done, make sure that all water has been removed from the frame and apply a protective coating. If you don’t have the time or the desire to clean them yourself, try hiring a professional window cleaner.
Maintaining. If you have double-paned windows, make sure they close properly. Otherwise, they will allow moisture inside your home and promote mold growth. Plus, your energy bills will skyrocket due to unnecessary heat loss if they don’t close properly.
Checking. Remember that stormy weather could leave your home flooded and damaged by high winds. Make sure that your windows open and close smoothly, especially if you live near the coast. If necessary, consider using weather stripping on the edges of your windows or adding a storm door. However, keep in mind that storm doors often add extra weight to the window opening, which can cause issues over time.

Eliminating Termites and Other Insects

Termites are small insects that can cause severe damage to your home, which is why you should always put in extra efforts to protect it against them. If you live in a coastal area, you should also check for other smaller pests.

Here are some of the most common signs of termites:

Mud tubes. These are created by termites as they crawl along the ground looking for food. If you notice areas where there is a larger amount of mud than on the rest of the ground, check them for mud tubes.
Beetle corpses. If you find dead beetles on the ground, check if they have been killed by termites.
Piles of wood dust. These are created when your wood starts to break down due to the activity of termites.
Sawdust piles. Similar to wood dust, sawdust piles create when the termites “saw” through your softwood.

Termites can chew through the hardest woods in a matter of months, so make sure that you regularly check your home for their presence! In addition, be sure to check for other insects such as ants and roaches regularly.

Final Word

Living by the coast comes with several health benefits. Still, it also has some downsides — primarily a high number of unique maintenance tasks. To ensure that your home remains in top condition, you need to regularly clean and check for mold growth, protect metal parts from rusting, and keep an eye out for any signs of termites or other insects.

Hopefully, this article gave you a better insight into the tasks you need to perform to protect your home against the elements and pesky animals. Keep our tips in mind and enjoy waking up every morning to the soothing sound of waves.