Tips and Advice for Properly Maintaining Your Farm
Everyone wants their farm to be both successful and well-maintained, but it can feel overwhelming when you're caring for dozens of animals, endless equipment, and the physical land itself.
These are some of the best things you can do to keep your worries at bay and ensure your property lasts longer and helps your farm succeed.
1. Ensure Your Barn’s Roof is Sealed
Your barn is only as secure as the roof you put on top of it. Ensure that you use liquid-applied flashing to keep moisture and insect life out and that you pay attention to whatever insulation or moisture protection is necessary. Whether you're using this space for animals or to store grain and produce: it must be kept as moisture-free and safe as possible. While checking the flashing, please take a moment to review the roof and shingles and be sure that they're in great shape and built to last.
2. Don't Let Wood Sit Blank Indoors.
The interior of your property doesn't have to be boring to look good! Many types of wood can benefit from a stain or paint, not only so it looks better but also because you're more likely to take the time to seal it if you're willing to take the time to stain it. The best wood stain for interior doors should go on evenly and have clear use directions. Ensure that you apply it in a well-ventilated area, and you take your time applying as many coats as you want for the color you're aiming for.
3. Use High-Quality Building Materials
Building materials should be high quality regardless of whether they're for a shed or a farmhouse. Of course, you should be aware of your budget and plan accordingly, but taking the time to pick quality materials that will last longer will allow you to ensure your property lasts longer, holds up better against moisture and damage, and is generally more reliable. In addition, you want your animals and produce to turn out well: so invest the time and money necessary to ensure they're given that chance.
4. Protect Your Floors in All Areas
What types of floors do you have within your property? Beyond the inside of a barn or farmhouse, consider the types of floors you keep in the areas where you store your agriculture vehicles. These floors see a lot of moisture, dirt, and other things that will quickly stick to any surface possible. An awesome idea for anyone wanting to update these spaces is to use waterproof garage floor paint to seal the floors and give them a fresh look.
This is also a great idea if you have a large facility and you want to mark where the vehicles should be parked and any clearance areas necessary to ensure people working on the property are safe. Keep extra paint on hand so that you can touch it up or add new portions whenever necessary.
5. Don't Allow Moisture to Damage Your Property
Water is one of the most incredible forces on earth. It can smooth a boulder down into a pebble and form the Grand Canyon: so why wouldn't you want to protect your property against it? Applying sealant can help to some degree, but it’s also important to ensure that every part of your property is as waterproof as possible. This means using good sealants, paying attention to drain placements in garages and large open spaces, and ensuring that your land itself has ways to divert rainwater away from high flood-risk areas.
If you can, gathering water is legal in most states and will allow you to save more money: but it's also important to research the legality and safety. All water should be tested and possibly sanitized before being given to livestock, and it's important to check for the protection of your products as well.
6. Ensure Your Animals Health Comes First
When animals are healthy and well cared for, they can help you create better products from goat milk soap to sheep's wool. Think about the health of your animals, what you can do to support it, and what areas of your property could be the most problematic for this. How and where you store their feed, where they're kept at night, what natural hazards are in your area, and what you'll do for them when the temperatures drop all matter. Proper care, a safe environment, and regular vet checks will ensure they give back all of the good you put into them!
Your Farm Can be as Successful as You Want
Farms are some of the most financially sound investments you can make: so it's important to take it seriously and put the work and time into helping it achieve. From the health of your animals to how well built and maintained the buildings on the property are, think about all of the components that could help you build a better farm: and put the time and cash into helping it succeed.
Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
