Rosie on the House: Ways to keep your house looking sharp

Small updates can improve curb appeal, cleanliness, and function while helping homeowners avoid more expensive repairs. Here are five areas worth adding to your home-maintenance radar.

Pathway lighting

A well-lit walkway does more than make a front yard look inviting. Pathway lighting can help illuminate the route from the driveway or sidewalk to the front door and add a finished look to the landscape.

The key is to think of lighting as guidance, not as adding as many fixtures as possible. Space lights so that they illuminate the walking area without creating harsh glare or bright spots. The International Dark Sky Association also recommends using timers or motion detectors so outdoor lighting is available when it is useful and turned off when it is not. Warmer-colored light can produce a more comfortable environment.

Windows and carpets

Heat, dry conditions, and that ever-present dust can be tough on windows and carpets. Fine desert particles can settle on window glass, screens, tracks and frames, while sunlight can bake that dirt onto the glass and make it harder to remove.

One of the biggest window offenders in desert homes is hard-water buildup, particularly when irrigation or pool water repeatedly hits the glass. The resulting calcium and magnesium deposits can leave cloudy or crusty-looking spots. Many stains can be removed, but severe buildup can etch the glass.

Carpets have their own challenges. Dust, dirt, crumbs, pet hair, etc., can be tracked inside and work deep into carpet fibers, where regular vacuuming may not remove it completely.

During monsoon season, strong winds, dust storms, rain and humidity add another layer of trouble, with moisture, mud and dirt getting tracked into homes. Increased humidity can also slow drying times, making it important to address moisture promptly. For carpets, frequent vacuuming, entry mats and quick spill cleanup can keep small bits from setting into your carpet.

Homeowners should also look beyond the glass when assessing whether windows need attention. Screens, tracks, sills, corners and drainage holes can accumulate dust, dead bugs, mildew and other debris.

* Note: Seals on double-pane windows can fail, trapping moisture between the panes. Cleaning alone cannot fix this issue.

For a quick check, look at windows from a few feet away at an angle in sunlight. Spots and streaks that are difficult to see head-on often become obvious when the light hits them differently.

Clean windows can improve a home's look by letting in more natural light, creating brighter views, and making the whole house feel fresher. Between professional cleanings, frequent dusting, keeping sprinklers away from the glass, and cleaning screens can keep windows looking their best.

Fascia and paint

Fascia plays an important role along the roofline and often supports the home's gutter system. When paint begins peeling, or the wood becomes soft, the problem isn't necessarily cosmetic.

Moisture is a major culprit. Poorly maintained gutters and roof drainage can allow water to repeatedly contact fascia and other exterior wood, causing deterioration and rot.

That's why painting should start with an inspection and proper preparation. Remove peeling paint, address damaged wood, and clean the surface before applying a new coating. Painting over deteriorated material can hide a problem instead of solving it.

A fresh exterior paint job can certainly sharpen a home's appearance, but the real goal is to protect the materials underneath. Think of good paint maintenance as both curb appeal and preventative maintenance.

Drywall

Arizona homes are no strangers to drywall cracks, but not every crack is necessarily cause for alarm. Drywall expert  Rick Thompson says the most common culprit is movement, which can result from foundation "heaving," a settling addition, vibration or age.

Because drywall is nonstructural and largely cosmetic, a small crack can often be repaired without turning into a major project. The important question is whether it keeps coming back.

"When does a crack need more than a simple patch? When it's recurring," Thompson says.

In that case, the area may need to be opened up or inspected from the attic to determine whether the framing is broken, something is resting on top of the drywall, or the backing is inadequate where two pieces of sheetrock meet.

The heat can also make drywall brittle and compromise its integrity. Thompson says some of the most common repairs he sees include stress cracks and water damage associated with air conditioning drain pans.

One problem homeowners tend to overlook, he says, is a small crack. Waiting until it becomes substantially larger can turn a simple repair into a more involved one. One caveat: newly built or remodeled areas may need time to settle before repairs.

Epoxy garage floors

The garage floor might not be the prettiest part of the house, but it can greatly affect how the space looks and functions. Floor coatings are popular because they're easy to maintain, aesthetically pleasing and available at different price points.

According to epoxy floor installer Zander Lykins, homeowners should select a solution that fits the concrete's condition and their budget.

Preparation is particularly important. If the concrete is not smooth, anticipate preparation including grinding and patching cracks until they disappear. Cracks must be patched ahead of the coating. The prep work should end with a good vacuum of the floor.

Finish options include stain, a single-color epoxy, decorative flakes or metallic finishes. The condition of the concrete can affect the cost of preparing it for a coating.

* Note: If you are planning on hiring someone, make sure they are licensed and bonded and get a quote based on the condition of your floor.

Once the coating is installed, maintenance is relatively simple. Do keep the floor out of the direct sun, as it can cause the products to fail even with UV-stable products.

Keeping a house looking good isn't about constantly changing it. Sometimes, it's about caring for the details that are already there and giving the overlooked parts of your home a little attention before they become bigger projects.