Fall Upkeep Checklist to Follow for Minneapolis Homeowners

Is your property ready for winter?  Does your home need some upkeep done to it?  Here are some basic ways to tidy up around the house and make sure that it is ready for the upcoming winter season.

Stand back and look at your home, really look at it. Do you see something that can be improved on? Do you notice that something might need to be fixed? How does it compare to the other homes on the block? Can you do something to make your home more functional and look better?  Larger remodeling projects might have to wait until spring, but there are things you can do now.

When it comes to the fall, one of the best things you can do for the look and life of your home is prepare it for the harsh Minnesota winter. You can do this with the simplest of repairs and fixes before the snow starts to fly and the ice hits the roof. By preparing ahead of time you’re acting now so you do not have to pay big later on.

What should you do to fix any home problems that you might face in the upcoming winter?

• Start with the gutters. If the gutters are lined with leaves and sagging then this is going to have a negative impact on not only the look of your home, but the functionality of it as well. The leaves hold the water in which can cause algae to grow and invite bugs into your home as well. Make sure to clean out the downspouts while you’re at it to make sure they have a steady flow that is not backed up.
• Peeling or chipped paint can have a negative effect on both the look and function of your home. These little spots of chipped or broken paint can easily be touched up and fixed within a minute or two.  (Make a mental note to consider replacing your high-maintenance painted siding with vinyl or fiber cement siding next spring and put away the paint brush for good!)
• The roof is another spot that is vital to check. You want to make sure there are no missing or broken shingles on the roof that can cause water to leak down into the home. You also want to check for soft spots or spots that might be discolored, these can lead to problems in the future.
• The fireplace should be cleaned out, and the flue and chimney should be cleaned by a professional. While you’re at that, you also want to schedule an appointment with a heating and air conditioning specialist to clean and calibrate the unit thoroughly.

Your lawn should not be neglected either. You should prune and clean up the outside of your home to ensure that it is not looking overgrown throughout the season. It can nicely frame the structure of the home if it is done the correct way. Make sure to leave at least 12″ of room between the trees and your home to ensure that mildew and algae does not build up on the side of the house.

Seal up any cracks that you may find throughout your home on all of the windows and doors. You could lose a lot of money if you do not do this. The garage is one big place where heat and cold air can come in and be lost so finding these problem areas can actually benefit you when the snow falls.

Power wash one last time to ensure that your home is in tip-top shape when it needs to be for the winter months. Window Outfitters is able to handle all of your roofing and gutter needs before the winter comes. We are a licensed and professional Minneapolis area exterior home improvement contractor that is able to help you get your home ready for the winter if you’re unsure of the next step to take.  We also install low-maintenance siding as well as replacement doors and windows.  We really are a full-service home improvement contractor for the Twin Cities!

 

 

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.