The kids are back in school, the leaves are starting to drop from the trees, and nightfall comes around much sooner. As the end of summer comes closer, make sure that you’re taking advantage of the nice weather. Now is a great time to provide your home with a little upkeep and TLC to keep it in great shape to get through the fall and winter. Here are ways that you can ensure that the exterior of your home is ready to go for the upcoming seasons.
Proper drainage around your home is essential. Any water that pools around the near outside of your home can seep into the foundation of the home, making it less stable. You want to make sure that the land around your home slopes down to remove the water. You also need to ensure that there is no build-up or debris on these slopes that stops the water from properly draining. This is important even in the winter, because melting snow can cause problems if it’s not directed away from the house. If you’ve had a problem with damp basements, it may be time to get some landscaping done around your home’s foundation to help with water flow.
Your gutter system is vital to the well being of your home. Make sure the downspout points out, away from your home and not towards it. Downspout extensions of at least 3′ that move the water away are very effective. You also want to clean the gutter system out so the water doesn’t pool inside it from trapped debris. This can cause the water to enter into the roof, walls and foundation of the house, making it less stable. Cleaning out your gutters (including flushing the downspout) once the majority of the leaves are off the trees around your home is a must before winter.
Checking for any leaking air throughout your home should be done periodically, especially before winter rolls around. You want to replace leaky windows, tighten doors and make sure that other areas of air infiltration are taken care of. Also check for cracks in your siding – either caulk them or get your siding repaired. You can not only keep your home more comfortable by eliminating drafts, but you can save money on your energy bills, as well.
Trim back any trees or shrubs that might be touching the sides of the home. This provides easy access to the inside of the homes for many different pests. You want to enjoy your home, without the ants and bugs crawling around. Also, vegetation growing against the side of your home can lead to mold and mildew development, which can damage your siding. Check with your local nursery as to the best times to prune your shrubs and trees – some can be done now in the fall; others should be done in the spring.
When the time comes to spruce up the exterior of your home before winter, speak with us here at Window Outfitters. We are able to provide a large selection of windows to choose from. Check us out on Pinterest for the window lines that we carry. We also install and repair siding, gutters, and roofing. We are a full-service, licensed MN exterior home improvement contractor, serving the entire Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, and we offer free in-home consultations. Call us today if you’re considering some exterior remodeling before winter.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
