It’s almost time for the leaves to change colors, to get out your sweaters, carve pumpkins, and go on hayrides. And with the weather changing from the major St. Louis heat and humidity to the milder climate of fall, it’s also the perfect time to work on some home maintenance projects.
As a St. Louis exterior contractor, fall is one of our Lakeside Renovation & Design team’s favorite times of year to help transform homes. See our three main considerations when preparing your exterior for fall. Fall home improvement projects help elevate the look of your home, increase resale value, and prepare you for the winter climate.
And we know exactly which projects will take your home to the next level and give you peace of mind this winter.
1. Roof Inspection and Replacements
Spring and summer weather can perform their fair share of wear to your roof, and you will want to have your roof ready for the harsher winter months. During the fall season, contact a professional roofer to come inspect your roof. A professional will be able to clearly see where damage has occurred and what parts of your roof need to be repaired.
Follow their recommendations to shore up any weak areas. And if your roof requires a full replacement, don’t wait. You will want the new roof installed before winter hits. But don’t be discouraged by a roof replacement. A new roof can add instant value to your home, and typically creates as high as a 68 percent return on investment for the St. Louis region.
2. Gutter Cleaning
Piggybacking off of your roof inspection, do not forget about your gutters. With rain and snow from winter, your home will require proper roof drainage.
Keep up on cleaning out your gutters during fall, and make sure that you remove all fallen leaves and other debris from the fall season before winter hits. This will help prevent ice dams and roof damage.
3. Power Wash, Repair, and Seal Your Deck
Hopefully, your deck has seen some fun-filled days during the summer months, but when winter hits, your deck likely won’t experience much use. Fall is the time to power wash your deck and rid it of any excess residue. After you have cleaned your deck’s surface, take the time to seal it on a sunny day so it can easily dry. This will give it a barrier of protection from snow and hail come winter.
Walk your deck, checking for loose boards. Ensure that the railings are secure, and repair or replace any areas where they may wobble. By taking care of your deck during fall, it will be safe during the winter months and ready for use come springtime.
4. New Replacement Windows
Getting your windows replaced this fall season will do a couple of things for your home:
- Increase energy efficiency
- Enhance curb appeal
- Increase resale value
Fall is the perfect time to invest in replacement windows because you will get to experience the comfort and energy efficiency newly insulated replacement windows can bring when the winter cold cannot penetrate your home.
Check out our reasons why fall is the best season to invest in replacement windows.
5. Furnace Tune-up
The weather is about to make a switch. And during the milder fall weather before the cold of winter hits, it’s time to inspect your furnace and give it a tune-up so it is ready to heat your home effectively. Furnace maintenance is a part of good home maintenance.
Before each winter season, you should replace your furnace filters and give everything a visual inspection. Replacing the filters is the best way to keep your furnace running properly. It promotes proper air movement and allows your home to heat up more quickly.
While you can manually inspect your furnace, it’s a good idea to call in a professional.
6. Chimney Cleaning
Another aspect of your home that may experience more use due to the weather change is your fireplace. But before you get those fires blazing, you will want to have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
Leftover debris and residue in the chimney can pose hazardous problems, so you’ll want a professional to inspect and remove any leftover soot and residue. Without proper cleanings, your home can experience damaging fires or even carbon monoxide poisoning. Plus, having an annual cleaning and inspection will help to extend the life of your chimney and keep it in proper working order.
7. Winterize Sprinklers and Spouts
Toward the end of fall, you will want to winterize your home. Don’t wait for the cold of winter to set in, or it may be too late. The result could be a burst or cracked pipe from undrained water freezing. Getting your sprinklers and water spigots prepared for winter will help keep pipes from bursting and have them ready come springtime.
8. Winterize Driveways and Sidewalks
The concrete of driveways and sidewalks will also need to be sealed and winterized to protect them from moisture absorption and salt. This will prevent cracks and other deterioration of these surfaces.
Fill any cracks in the surface using a concrete filler. Then seal all expansion joints in the sidewalk and driveway, and cover all concrete surfaces with a sealer. This will keep excessive moisture from absorbing into the concrete and freezing. It will also protect the surfaces from salt residue off the underside of your vehicles when the roads have been salted for snow.
Make Your Home Love Fall as Much as You Do
Your home should get to experience the joys of fall along with your family. And it shouldn’t be complicated to have an enjoyable home that will take you into the winter months with peace of mind.
If you are ready to update your home with replacement windows, new siding, or deck repairs, our Lakeside Renovation & Design team is ready to help. Schedule a free consultation with our team to get your home fall ready today.
