Owning beachfront property is a dream come true for many people, but knowing how to properly care for the property is an essential part of ensuring the property brings you joy for years to come. To that end, here are five tips for taking care of beachfront property.
Tip #1: Purchase The Right Insurance
The first step you need to take toward caring for your beachfront property is to ensure you have the right type of insurance coverage in place. Obviously, beachside properties have their own unique set of potential challenges, especially those that are related to being near to the water. Therefore, in addition to having the standard coverage in place, you will also need to obtain flood insurance so you can make the necessary repairs without taking a massive hit to your pocketbook if disaster strikes.
Tip #2: Choose Resistant Materials
When replacing or changing outside fixtures, you need to be sure to select resistant materials that will not be negatively impacted by the salty ocean air. This means avoiding metal door and window frames, as the salt will oxidize the metal and cause rust and metal fatigue. Instead, try to install fiberglass frames and only use stainless steel for exterior fixtures. Otherwise, you will find yourself replacing screens, hinges and metal door and window frames far more often than you are used to on the mainland.
Tip #3: Reduce Humidity Levels
Humidity is always a concern with beachfront property, as it can lead to water damage as well as mold development if not addressed properly. Therefore, it is important to take steps to help lower the humidity levels inside your house. You can do this by making sure it is ventilated properly, drying everything thoroughly inside of the house and purchasing a dehumidifier to reduce the overall moisture levels in the air.
Tip #4: Address Beach Erosion
Beach erosion is a concern throughout the island. As such, there may already be some guidelines or standing orders in place regarding how to address this concern with your property. If so, follow these guidelines to help prevent the soil from eroding away. If no guidelines are already in place, you might want to consider planting certain flowers and plants that will cling to the soil and help to slow the erosion process.
Tip #5: Repaint, Restain, and Reseal
Exterior walls need to be washed, repainted, restained and resealed on a regular basis for more than just cosmetic reasons. While they may look fairly good and seem to only have a couple of flaws, those seemingly innocent flaws can easily turn into a much bigger problem. Each time you wash your walls, watch for pockets, bald patches and other problems with your paint or stain. As soon as problems arise, you should repaint, restain and reseal. Better yet, come up with a regular schedule and make it a part of your routine house maintenance plan. It may seem burdensome, but it will be cheaper and easier in the long run if you address this concern before problems arise.
