We still have a while before the temperatures drop enough for you to turn on the furnace and bundle up, but why not get ahead of the winter prepping game? Start with our end of summer home exterior maintenance checklist, and you’ll be good to go before the leaves even begin to fall.

Review

First, survey your home for damage and general wear and tear:

• Inspect siding, roofs, gutters, windows, and doors for cracks, peeling, and missing materials.
• Check for broken flashing seals around vents and chimneys on the roof.
• Look for sagging or disconnected gutter sections along the roof edges.
• Examine the ground along your home’s foundation for broken fasteners or roof granules.

Instead of climbing a ladder for a DIY remedy, trust a professional home exterior remodeling contractor to patch up your roof, fix broken gutters, and repair siding if you notice any problems when you inspect your home this fall.  

Reclaim

Don’t let your roof and gutters become victims of foliage, dead or alive. Overhanging branches can scrape up and wear out your shingles or break off in a storm and puncture the roof. Needles from shedding pine trees can build up on the roof and retain moisture, hindering your home’s drainage system. Remove accumulating dead foliage and trim back low-hanging branches to prevent roof damage.

Your gutters and downspouts can become clogged with leaves, roofing grit, feathers, trash, pinecones, needles, acorns, and more. Debris will weigh the gutters down and cause water to pool and overflow, settling near your home’s foundation. Consider LEAFAWAY® gutter protection from your Minnesota clog-free gutter professionals, so you never have to worry about cleaning your gutters again.

Reapply

Caulk is a waterproof filler used to seal joints in and around shutters, rail systems, window panels and frames, and doors. Every homeowner should repair dry and cracked or loose caulk to eliminate air leaks and prevent water damage. If you can fit a nickel in between the gaps of the siding and window or door frames, you should reapply caulk.

Other openings, such as gaps between movable building components, may require weatherstripping. Check your door thresholds and window sides and sashes to see if the rubber or metal is damaged. Replace missing or worn weatherstripping around windows and doors to keep the elements out and the conditioned air in.

Replace

Home improvements are a big—yet worthwhile—investment. According to the United States Department of Energy, the average American spends $200 to $400 every year on wasted energy that is lost through drafts, air leaks, and outdated HVAC systems. Properly installed energy efficient windows and doors can reduce heat and cooling loss. Contact your Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor to install new ones and lower your energy bills.

A roof, siding, and gutter replacement could increase resell value, boost your home’s curb appeal, and maximize energy efficiency. Seamless steel siding is one of the most weather-resistant, low maintenance, and environmentally friendly materials in the home siding industry. Check with Spotless & Seamless Exteriors, your local steel siding contractor, to see what styles and colors are available. Review our blog about when to consider a new roof or replace gutters if you are having trouble making a decision.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors can handle any of your home exterior remodeling needs. Contact us for a free estimate.

With winter over, it’s time to talk about spring weather preparedness. Storms bring high winds, heavy rains, hail, and other hazardous conditions that could damage your property. We’ve put together a rundown on how to prevent, detect, and repair storm damage to your home.

How protected is your home?

Before the storms roll in, it’s important to assess how protected your home is from the elements. A worn or damaged roof, poor siding, or improperly installed rain carrying system could cause leaks, flooding, mold growth, and structural damage even in mild weather. Severe winds, rain, and hail will put more stress on your home’s exterior.  

How do you detect storm damage?

Some of the most obvious signs of storm damage are fallen trees, sagging gutters, broken windows, shingle debris, and flooded basements. But there are many other subtle signs you should look out for when surveying your basement, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, roof, and siding after a storm:

• Expanding wood, dripping water, or discoloration on the ceiling and walls.
• A musty odor throughout your home.
• Cracked, dented, or missing shingles, vents, or flashing on the roof.
• Dark spots from where roofing granules have been knocked away from asphalt shingles.
• Roofing granules collecting in gutters or discharged from downspouts.
• Dented, cracked, missing, or discolored siding.
• Cracked wood finishes or stripped paint.
• Broken window or door frames, holes and tears in screens, or dents on windowsills and windowpanes.

Following a storm, safety is top priority. Avoid climbing on your roof and be careful around broken windows. If your home has been flooded, contact a water removal company immediately. A professional can examine the extent of damage to your property so you know how much repairs will cost and if you should file an insurance claim.

Who should I contact for storm damage repair?

When a large storm strikes your area, you may have contractors coming to your door offering repair or replacement services. Always check that they are reputable. Ask for their license, proof of insurance, certifications, business address, and Better Business Bureau listing or Angie’s list ratings. Let Spotless & Seamless be your first call for storm damage repair.

Spotless & Seamless Exteriors provides asphalt and metal roofing installation and repair to homeowners throughout Minnesota. As your local steel siding contractor, we also offer United States Seamless® installation. Seamless steel siding is custom-fit to your home on-site, ensuring a flawless, seamless finish. One of the most durable and energy efficient siding materials in the industry, seamless steel will protect your home from the harshest elements.

SSE offers clog-free gutters that keep leaves and twigs out of your rain carrying system so your home can withstand torrential downpours. Rely on our revolutionary Superspout™ to carry rainwater away from your home and protect your foundation from flooding. As a Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor, we provide a variety of quality windows and doors for homeowners throughout the Twin Cities who have sustained storm damage or are just looking to upgrade.

We’ll take care of the mess and make sure your home is properly repaired with quality materials. Contact Spotless & Seamless Exteriors to learn more and request an estimate.

Homeowners decide to replace windows for a variety of reasons, including increased home security, weather resistance, energy efficiency, and style. We’ve outlined the five common types of replacement windows you should consider.
Three main factors that distinguish window styles are

1. the window sash, or the frame that holds the glass panes,
2. how the window opens and closes, and
3. how the window projects from or is set into the wall.

Read on to discover the unique benefits each style offers your home.

Double-hung windows

Double-hung windows feature two panels of glass, each encased in a square or rectangular sash. Both sashes slide vertically to open and close and can be tilted inward or outward so you can easily wash the inside and outside of the window. Designed with Ply Gem Low-E glass, our double-hung windows are durable, versatile, and energy efficient.

Bay and bow windows

Available in double-hung or casement styles, bay and bow windows project outside the wall or corner of your home, adding a unique architectural element. A bay window is a deep shell of three glass panes, with one large center unit and two flanking it at a 35- to 45-degree outward angle from the wall. A bow window usually has four or five windows with less framing, creating a shallower, expansive shell that allows more natural light and adds elegance to any room. Bay and bow windows open up space for a cozy, cushioned window seat or a focal, sunlit shelf.

Sliding windows

Sliding windows feature two glass panels with one fixed and one gliding sash resting on an aluminum frame. The gliding sash opens sideways to overlap with the other along a track. Customizable and available in almost any size, sliding windows offer an unobstructed view of the outdoors and feature simple locks for a tight seal and increased home security.

Garden windows

Common over sinks or in kitchen areas, garden windows are constructed of glass panels that project from the exterior wall in a box-like shape, offering you a peripheral view of the outdoors. The side windows can be opened and closed easily to ventilate. The top window allows natural light to stream into your home, creating a natural mini greenhouse for plants or an eye-catching display case. Constructed of vinyl sashes, our garden windows require minimal maintenance and feature a weather-tight seal.

Casement and awning windows

Casement and awning windows are glass panels permanently set in the window frame that can be cranked open for adjustable ventilation. Casement windows are left- or right-hinged windows that crank outward to open, much like a door on a hinge. Awning windows are hinged from the top and crank open from the bottom. Casement and awning windows close tightly and securely, allow maximum air movement when opened, and are often paired with an inside screen.

If you’re looking for Twin Cities window replacement, look to Spotless & Seamless Exteriors. We are a Minnesota seamless steel siding contractor, but we also install windows and doors throughout the state. We offer Ply Gem windows known for their style, durability, and energy efficiency. Contact your Minneapolis/St. Paul window replacement contractor today to learn more.