Inspect Your Windows and Exterior After Extreme Minnesota Weather

While we’ve enjoyed a someone mild early winter here in the Twin Cities, that looks like it’s changing. With some recent cold temps and snow, it’s clear that winter is here as usual. When the harsh Minnesota weather comes knocking, it can do some damage to the outside of your home. Checking on your home’s exterior after a winter storm is crucial to keeping your home in the best shape possible.

Not only is the roofing and siding on your house going to go through some wear, but those windows might also take a bit of a beating. This is why it is always important to not only keep up with the maintenance of the windows but also ensure that you have them checked thoroughly for any damage after any harsh weather.

Even though modern, high-quality windows and exterior doors are designed to protect your  home and those who live there from these outside elements, nature still sometimes takes its toll on them. Here are some tips to keep in mind when inspecting the windows and entry doors of your Minnesota home.

Inspecting Your Home’s Exterior After a Winter Storm

You’ll want to check both inside and outside. Pay particular attention to these areas:

1. Check the window glass for gaps, breaks or other damage to the window itself, as well as the frame and the sash. Add a bit of silicone caulk to the area if you find any. This should give you a temporary seal until you can get repairs or replacements made.
2. Take photos of any of the damage that you find around the home and submit them to your insurance company as soon as possible. You want to prevent any further damage from happening and they can help cover the costs of having these places repaired. But remember, insurance coverage is only available if the damage can be linked to a storm, so submitting your photos and claim as quickly after a storm is critical.  
3. Make sure that the weather stripping around your windows and doors is still intact and in good condition.
4. Check all hardware around the doors and windows to make sure they’re not loose or broken. Carefully inspect the areas for breaks, cracks, alignment issues and other problems.
5. Make sure that none of the wood fixtures around the windows or doors have cracks in them. This can lead to rotting in the future or deterioration of the wood with time. If you do find cracks, put in wood filler when it’s warm enough to do so.  
6. Clean any debris and ice from the exterior surfaces of the windows and doors.
7. Check your glass to make sure that it still has a sealing factor. Place ice cubes inside a bag, place the bag against the interior surface of the glass for a minute and a half and then remove the ice from the glass. Wipe away the moisture. If any moisture is inside the glass and cannot be wiped away, the glass does not have a good sealing factor.
8. Lubricate the hardware items for the windows and doors to ensure that they are going to work properly. This can be done using silicone spray; just be sure that it does not contact other surfaces to reduce damage.

If your home is in an area that’s been hit by an extremely severe storm such as an ice storm or blizzard accompanied by high winds, it may be time to have your windows and doors professonally inspected. We can handle that for you.  Call us here at Window Outfitters. We’re used to working with homeowner’s insurance companies for exterior storm damage.  We are THE window replacement company for the Minneapolis area, and we’re here all winter long.  

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.