11 Outdoor Renovations That Could Lead to Costly Car Damage
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Outdoor renovations can really up the value and aesthetics of a home, taking a simple yard and transforming it into a cozy haven or a lush and beautiful display of design. But some improvements can harm one of our most cherished and expensive possessions, our cars. These well meaning renovations can be very costly auto repairs if not given due consideration.
Knowing what pitfalls these projects could have helps you plan better, as well as avoid unintended consequences. If you’re looking to make outdoor upgrades without having to pay an arm and a leg for car repairs here’s a guide to get you started.
Large Stones and Decorative Boulders
Putting boulders too close to driveways or car parking does increase the risk of car damage. Low-profile cars are especially prone to a scratch, dent, or worse, with a minor misjudgment while parking. Boulders can even become a hazard even when you are careful about driving, so stay a safe distance away from any place where vehicles are.
Water Features
Many landscape has fountains, ponds, and streams, but they also bring excess moisture. Mist or splash from the water can even fall on nearby cars, leading to corrosion eventually. With a water or fountain feature involved, those small particles of dirt and minerals will also coat your car’s paint – dulling the shine. If you adore the idea of water features, place them further from parking areas.
Brick or Stone Pathways
A good choice might be installing a brick or stone pathway, but as the material settles, it can move and level. These can cause bumps and jostles for your car when you drive over them, over time causing alignment problems. Uneven edges may cause scratches in the wheels or bumpers of vehicles parked on or near these paths.
Sharp Edged Metal Fencing
Metal fences have a classic look, but those sharp edges can quickly ruin your car if you’re not careful. You could have a nasty scratch on your hands from one close brush while parking. In particular, metal fencing around driveways can be damaged accidentally in tight spaces. Reduce the hazard by choosing fences with rounded edges or by putting them further away from parking spots.
Poorly Drained Parking Pads
Installing a parking pad is a convenient way to add extra space, but if the pad isn’t designed with proper drainage, rainwater will pool, causing rust on the undercarriage of your car. In addition, if you pool water on your concrete or stone surfaces, it will cause mold or algae, which can be slippery and bad on your tires. Consult a professional before installing a parking pad so that water will not gather around your vehicle.
Overhanging Tree Branches
Large trees near your driveway? Watch out for overhanging branches. These branches are nice and offer shade and aesthetic appeal but they can easily damage a car in high winds or storms. Small twigs may scratch the paint, while larger limbs can leave dents or smash windshields. If you have trees near parking areas, regular trimming is important so the beautiful tree doesn’t become expensive repairs for you.
Loose Gravel Driveways
Gravel driveways are inexpensive and beautiful. However, they come with one significant drawback: loose stones. Gravel can fly up, chipping paint and cracking your windshield, every time you pull in or back out. If gravel is your first choice, think about edging the driveway or binding the material to keep the stones from being loose and not damaging your car like a demolition derby.
Low-Hanging Lights
Outdoor lighting is important for safety and ambiance but low hanging lights on the driveway or parking spots aren’t ideal. If they’re too low, you can bump into them, possibly damaging the lights and your car. Also, glass covered lights can break if they are hit accidentally. Select lights that are out of the car’s way safely, and if you want, there’s motion sensor lighting for convenience.
Planting Beds Too Close to the Driveway
If planted too close to the driveway, bushes and shrubs can cause problems. Moisture from the plants can cause rust over time and low hanging branches and thorny plants can easily scratch paint. A little buffer zone between your plants and the driveway will help you avoid these risks while keeping the area looking lush and well tending.
Sprinklers Close to Parking Areas
Close to parking spaces, sprinklers may seem harmless, but hard water that dries can leave water spots that are difficult to remove. Eventually, these spots can even damage the car’s paint. You can position sprinklers away from your car, or choose models that can be adjusted to limit the spray of water.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are useful for keeping slopes under control, but in the event they are close to driveways, accidents can be afoot. Reversing can cause scrapes, dents or a cracked bumper if you make a slight miscalculation. Pulling out can also be blocked by high retaining walls that limit visibility, which increases the chance of accidental scrapes. To get the best results, make sure retaining walls are not placed near parking spots or clearly marked.
Wood Chips and Mulch Paths
Wood chips and mulch are eco friendly, but they take a little work near parking spots. Loose pieces of mulch can also get stuck in the tire and wheel and light pieces of mulch can stick to tires and end up on the driveway, creating potential slipping hazards and scratching your vehicle’s paint if driven over. If you are using wood chips or mulch, think about putting in a barrier to keep them from migrating into the parking areas.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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