Let’s hit those annual exterior projects. As we know, mother nature wants our homes and will slowly work her way into the cracks and crevices slowly taking them back! So summer is the time to deal with those cracks and crevices.
- Windows: If you have a drafty window, it could be the window sash (perhaps only single pane), the weather stripping, and/ or the exterior caulking. Check all three! And now is the time for that caulking. Note the bottom of the window will likely not have caulking so water can drain out. If so, don’t caulk that location.
- Doors: If you have a dog that likes to rip up the weather stripping on your door like I do, now is the time to replace it. Most hardware stores will have the weatherstripping you need. Bring a piece with to match it.
- Siding: Mother nature loves the nooks and crannies of siding connections. A great way for water to sneak in and work out of your site. Caulk these locations. Reminder vinyl siding does not get caulking at the joints and connection points, rather, the system relies on its own drainage and the drainage of the weather barrier below.
- Trees: All too often there are trees leaning towards homes, or branches hovering over roofs just waiting for that windy storm to unleash its fury. Have those risks mitigated by having them removed. If the branches are not too big and you’re comfortable to remove them yourself, great. If not, hire a professional.
- Roof: Inspect your roof (safely) or have a professional look at it. If there were recent storms, have them look for damage. Make sure the penetrations are still sealed right. If you have dormers, check to confirm the seal at the soffit is good (bats love this location!), and seal as necessary. Clean those gutters! Keeping water away from homes is 90% of the way to solving water problems.
- Driveway: If you have pavement, seal those joints and re-seal the pavement. It will last so much longer!
- Misc: Now’s the time for all those other small exterior projects. Straighten posts, fix railings, protect your tress, trim hedges, fix decking boards, look for holes where mice could get into your home, etc.
This almost feels like a list to prepare for cold weather. Well it is! Did you know the average first frost in St. Cloud occurs between September 21 and 30? That is only a few weeks away. Yikes! So yes indeed we need to start preparing for the cold season, and what better time to do that than when it is still warm.
I will add a little bible verse to this, Matthew 7:25: The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. (And because we sealed, caulked and got ready for winter!). Blessings!
