7 Exterior Maintenance Tasks Brisbane Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore

1. Clean Your Exterior Windows & Glass

Exterior glass collects dust, pollen, squished insects, bird droppings, fingerprints, salt deposits and more. Sometimes we don’t even notice how dirty our windows are because the buildup is gradual. Take a look at your windows now. Can you actually see your garden outside? Or is your view obscured by grime and smears? 

Dirty windows make our home look neglected, even if the rest of our property is well-maintained. It’s especially noticeable on large windows, glass doors and glass pool fencing. Regular window cleaning can also help prevent dirt from scratching our glass and stop debris build-up that can damage window tracks. This could save a lot of money on future repairs and replacements.

A good home exterior cleaning routine should include window cleaning. Don’t forget to clean the window frames, tracks, flyscreens and sills too. If your home has upper-storey or hard-to-reach windows, a professional residential window cleaning service can make your regular exterior upkeep easier and safer.

2. Clean Your Gutters

Gutter cleaning is one of those exterior property maintenance jobs that’s easy to postpone, even though neglecting it can lead to big problems. The longer you leave it, the more leaves, twigs, seed pods and other debris build up in your gutters. This debris stops rainwater from draining properly. Then when the next downpour arrives, you’re suddenly dealing with overflowing gutters and water rushing down your fascia boards, exterior walls and foundations, which can cause serious water damage. Not good. 

Downpipes need attention too. Even a small obstruction in a downpipe can stop our entire drainage system from working properly. So next time you’re cleaning your gutters, don’t forget to check the downpipes too, clean them and make sure water is flowing correctly. 

For Brisbane homeowners, landlords, property investors or owner-occupiers whose property is surrounded by trees, gutters need to be cleaned and inspected more often, especially after heavy leaf fall. It’s also a good idea to check them after a storm, because wind and rain can dump extra debris in your gutters, or even damage parts of your drainage system.

Here are some signs to look out for that will let you know that this Brisbane exterior maintenance task is overdue:

• Water pooling around downpipe outlets
• Overflowing water
• Plants growing from the gutters
• Staining beneath the roofline

3. Roof Inspections

The roof is our home’s primary barrier against Brisbane’s weather. That’s why task no. 3 that Brisbane homeowners should never ignore is periodic roof inspections. When inspecting your roof, look out for:

• Cracked or displaced tiles
• Damaged ridge capping
• Loose roofing materials
• Rust or deterioration on metal roofing
• Damaged flashing
• Debris accumulation

Strong winds during storms can cause roof damage that may not be obvious immediately. By the time you notice a water stain on the ceiling, moisture might have already affected your insulation, ceilings or structural materials. That’s why regular roof inspections matter, especially after a storm, because they help you identify problems early and fix them before they turn into an expensive nightmare. Brisbane City Council recommends that residents check and maintain their roof when preparing for severe weather. 

When inspecting your roof, please be very careful. Inspect it from ground level unless you have the right safety equipment and working-at-heights training. If you need a closer inspection, contact a qualified roofer rather than risking a serious fall.

4. Check Exterior Walls, Paint & Cladding

Our exterior walls are constantly exposed to Brisbane’s sunlight, rain, humidity and changing temperatures. Exterior coatings, like paint and protective finishes, shield the underlying materials from moisture, UV exposure and general weathering. But once a coating begins to fail, water can reach timber, masonry or other building materials, leading to rot and deterioration. 

Regularly checking these walls, including the paint and cladding, is an important part of maintaining your home’s exterior and preventing these serious issues. When inspecting your exterior walls, look out for things like:

• Peeling or bubbling paint
• Cracks
• Mould or mildew
• Water staining
• Fading
• Damaged weatherboards or cladding
• Gaps around joints and penetrations

Including wall and cladding checks in your exterior property maintenance routine doesn’t take long, but it can help you prevent minor defects from becoming huge problems.

5. Mould & Mildew Removal

If you notice mould or mildew while inspecting your interior walls, then you already know what’s next on your Brisbane home upkeep list. Remove mould and mildew before the growth spreads or causes staining. 

But mould and mildew are not limited to exterior walls! You can also find them on:

• Paths
• Driveways
• Patios
• Decks
• Fences
• Roof tiles
• Pool surrounds
• Outdoor stairs

Beyond making your property look bad, mould and mildew growth can make walking surfaces slippery and dangerous, especially when they are wet.  Regular home exterior cleaning can help slow regrowth and keep your property looking its best.

IMPORTANT: The cleaning method should always suit the surface. Aggressive high-pressure washing isn’t appropriate for every material and can cause more damage if you aren’t careful. So do your research or ask a professional before you start pressure washing something.

6. Checking Drainage

Drainage directs rainwater away from our properties, protecting our foundations, walls, gardens and outdoor surfaces. So we ned to check on it from time to time and make sure it’s working properly.

To properly inspect drainage around your property, you need to check:

• Surface drains
• Stormwater grates
• Downpipe outlets
• Driveway drainage
• Areas where water pools beside the house
• Soil erosion around the property
• Drainage around retaining walls

If you notice persistent pooling of water in certain areas, it could signal a blocked drain, damaged stormwater pipe, or another drainage problem that needs further investigation. Don’t ignore these signs, as the problems will only get worse.

HOW TO DO IT: Walk around your property shortly after heavy rain, as long as it’s safe to do so. Note any problem areas and take photos so you can monitor them or show them to a qualified professional.

7. Inspecting for Pests

Small exterior openings can let insects, rodents, birds, bats and other pests into our homes. As someone who has experienced insect infestations in my house before, I can tell you it’s not nice. I wish I had kept up with my exterior maintenance before it happened. 

When inspecting, check around: 

• Eaves
• Roof edges
• Vents
• Pipe penetrations
• Door frames
• Window frames
• Garages
• Damaged screens
• Gaps in cladding

It’s also a good idea to look for nesting materials, droppings, chewed surfaces, mud trails and unexplained holes. These signs can reveal pest activity even when no animals or insects are visible. Sealing entry points during home upkeep can prevent pests, but be careful not to trap any animals inside your property. If you discover signs of a pest infestation, it’s best to arrange a professional pest inspection rather than trying to identify or treat it yourself without experience. 

BAT IN THE ATTIC? If you find bats in your home, take extreme caution and never handle them yourself. Queensland Health provides official advice about bats and human health, including what to do following possible contact.

How Often Should You Check Your Home’s Exterior?

How often you check your home’s exterior depends on where your property is located, how many trees surround it, how much traffic it gets, and how much dust exposure. Local weather, shade, and moisture levels also play a role. As a basic rule, we’d suggest inspecting your home’s exterior 2-3 times a year, and after any major storms. 

Here’s a checklist homeowners, landlords, property owners, and owner-occupiers can use to carry out a Brisbane exterior home maintenance check: 

• Examine your windows and glass for cracks, damaged seals, condensation, and gaps around frames.
• Inspect your roof for damaged, missing, or loose tiles, shingles, flashing, and signs of leaks.
• Clear and check gutters and downpipes for leaves, blockages, rust, sagging, and secure connections.
• Check eaves and potential entry points for gaps, damaged screens, nests, pests, and areas where water could enter.
• Check exterior walls for cracks, peeling paint, stains, mould, rot, or other signs of water damage.
• Inspect your paths and driveways for cracks, uneven surfaces, loose materials, and trip hazards.
• Review drainage to ensure water flows away from the home and does not collect near the foundation.