5 Ways To Prep Your Home For A Minnesota Summer
We did it everyone. We made it through another Minnesota winter. And although 2017 has been fairly mild in the St. Cloud area, the cold weather and storms can wreak havoc on the outside of your home. Make the most of your summer by getting your home tidied up this spring, so you have more time to enjoy the patio once we get to June. Below are 5 ways to get your home ready for summer.
1. Clean Out Your Gutters
It’s always smart to work your way from top to bottom when cleaning up your home. Once I made the mistake of cleaning my deck before clearing my gutters, which led to a deck full of dead leaves. Starting with the gutters is smart for a few reasons:
- You’ll protect your home from potential water damage. With spring comes storms, by clearing out the gutters, you ensure they won’t have a blockage that could lead to water leaking into your house. The hour it takes to clean the gutters is worth avoiding a wet basement.
- It’ll give you a chance to see if any repairs are necessary. While you are on your ladder or roof tending to the gutters, you will be able to spot issues with either the gutter system or roof as a whole. Diagnosing these issues early is the key to avoiding catastrophic damage to your home. If you don’t think something looks right, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll tell you if your roof needs repairs, or if there’s nothing to worry about.
After your gutters are ready to take on the downpours of spring, it’s time to check out the other aspects of your house.
2. Check The Siding
Siding maintenance will depend on what type of material was used. For wood siding, you’ll want to check for areas of rot. If the area is large, you might need to install a patch. Otherwise, use paint and stain to refresh dull spots and give your home a fresh look.
To clean vinyl siding, there are a few methods. First, you can rent a pressure washer to quickly and efficiently eliminate any dirt or mold that might be on your siding. If you’d like to avoid renting equipment, you can use the same vinegar solution to clean the vinyl, just make sure to rinse it with normal water after. Also, try to avoid getting the vinegar on any plants, they don’t like it.
3. Work On The Windows
Chances are, your windows will need a little TLC to be ready for summer. You can start by washing them. For a streak free shine every time, use this method:
How To Clean Windows
- Fill a bucket with one part hot water, one part vinegar and another with just warm water.
- Using a sponge or squeegee, clean the windows from top to bottom using the vinegar solution. Protip: only clean windows on a cloudy day, the sun will cause streaks from the fluid drying too fast.
- Rinse the window frames with the warm water, to avoid damage from the vinegar.
Now you can check if the window is functioning correctly. Open it a few times, if a vinyl window sticks, use a wax or Teflon product like this to lubricate it. Don’t use a petroleum or oil based product like WD-40, it will collect dirt over time, and can damage your windows.
After the window is functioning right, you can check the frames to ensure there are no gaps. If there is, use caulk to seal them.
4. Clean Your Patio Furniture
Assuming your properly stored your patio furniture in a dry place over the winter, cleaning it should be fairly simple. Spray it down with a hose to remove dust and debris. If there is still dirt, use a mild detergent and brush to remove it.
If you notice any chipped paint, sand it down and apply a fresh coat to keep your patio furniture in top shape. You’ll thank yourself during the 4th of July block party, and will impress everyone with your grill skills.
5. Wash Your Cement Or Pavers
Salt and dirt will end up on your driveway and patio during the winter and spring months. Cleaning it up is a quick way to get your home ready for entertaining. If you decided to rent that pressure washer for your siding, it can make quick work of your cement as well. Just use a degreaser spray to prep the cement, then use the pressure washer with detergent to clean it off.
If you are feeling extra ambitious, applying a sealant can help protect your cement. Once it has dried from washing, use a paint roller to apply waterproof sealant. Just make sure to give it 24 hours to dry before parking on it. Sealing your cement will make cleanup and maintenance easier in the future.
If you found any damage to your roof, siding, or windows and would like a professional opinion, let us know, we’d love to see how we can help keep your home in top shape.
Did we miss anything important? Comment below. Here’s to having a safe and fun summer, we all know that it’s way too short in Minnesota.