From a place to make memories to providing shelter from the elements, there is truly no place like home. The exterior of your home has one important job: protecting you and your family from all weather conditions. Even the strongest of houses are susceptible to extreme storms and general wear and tear. This is why it’s so crucial to maintain the key components of your home’s exterior.
Let’s explore some of the features that make up your home’s exterior, how they work together to safeguard your interior living space, and why it’s just as essential to keep up with necessary repairs.
Shelter From the Storm
When dangerous weather whips through your neighborhood, it can beat against your home’s exterior. In these circumstances, even the best quality housing materials could succumb to severe weather. Thankfully, when disaster strikes, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The skilled contractors at Advantage Construction know just how vital it is to safeguard your exterior against the harsh Minnesotan weather.
From choosing the right shingle to ensuring your windows are professionally sealed, we are here to help every step of the way. Whether you want to improve your home’s value or make significant repairs or replacements following severe storm damage, maintaining your home’s exterior is a smart investment.
Key Components of Your Home’s Exterior
There are four main elements to a home’s exterior: a gutter system, roof, siding, and windows. Let’s take a deeper look at the four main components of your home’s exterior to see how they work cohesively to keep you and your loved ones safe.
1. A Gutter System
Although you may not think of them, your gutters are working overtime to help protect your home from external damage by directing water away from your roof and house. While it may not seem like that big of a deal to not have functioning gutters, that’s simply not true. Surging stormwater needs to flow through designated areas, and if this is restricted, many issues may arise.
There are many reasons why a gutter system can lose effectiveness, including:
- Severe storm and hail damage
- Debris buildup
- Ice
- Snow
- Rust
- Decay
- Blocked downspouts
Faulty gutters could result in thousands of dollars in costly water damage from the roof to the foundation. That’s because water can pool under your roof, weaken its structure, stain siding, generate mold and mildew, and even create cracks in your foundation. Keep an eye out for gutter warning signs, such as:
- Overflowing water
- Plants growing in gutters
- Sagging or warped panels
- Cracks or chips
- Lifted or rotten shingles
- Noticeable pests
- Fan-like patterns below downspouts
Scheduling yearly cleaning services and routine maintenance can help maintain your gutters. One great way to avoid debris buildup is by adding a gutter guard to reduce maintenance needs. But don’t stop there! Upgrade to a seamless gutter system for maximum protection. Click here to learn more about the benefits of installing a custom seamless gutter system in your home.
2. A Durable Roof
Your home’s roof is the first line of defense against hazardous debris and extreme weather conditions. It also works in tandem with other housing elements, like your gutter system, to swiftly move water and moisture away from your building and foundation. When your roofing style becomes damaged from severe storms and hail, it needs to be repaired or replaced to ensure optimal performance and home protection. Knowing when to replace your home’s roof can be rather tricky.
Since Minnesota is known for its unpredictable weather, roofing problems can occur, potentially leading to more extensive and costly damage. Heavy rains, high winds, hail, temperature fluctuations, snow, and ice can all pose a threat to your roof, even if it is not immediately apparent. Make sure to look for telltale signs of roofing damage, including:
- Detached shingles
- Fading
- Discoloration
- Warped shingles
- Holes or gaps
- Mold or weed growth
- Rotting wood
There are so many ways that weather negatively impacts your roof, so it’s essential to work with an experienced roofing inspector to assess possible damage from moisture, hail, or other factors to prevent further issues down the line.
3. Steadfast Siding
Your home’s siding is made from durable material that works to withstand tumultuous weather throughout the years. Even though siding is a steadfast exterior feature that’s quite resilient, it can still be impacted by severe weather, water, and fire damage. Siding damage usually occurs in the following ways:
- Cracking
- Chipping
- Discoloration
- Peeling interior paint
- Mold or mildew
Since siding damage may be hard to spot, it can lead to water damage, which isn’t always immediately apparent. Learn more about how strong storms and hail can damage your home.
When it’s time to make repairs, enlist help from the quality siding experts at Advantage Construction. Our team will repair or replace our siding to strengthen your home’s exterior against harsh weather, moisture, dirt, and pests. Choose your preferred siding option below:
- Premium vinyl siding
- Insulated vinyl siding
- Steel siding
- Engineered wood siding
- Hardie board
- Boral Versetta Stone®
4. Properly-Sealed Windows
One of the last places most people think to check for damage is their windows. That’s because window damage is either very noticeable or slowly appears over time. Since your windows play a crucial role in your home, they need to maintain their proper function. There is also a significant financial impact on poorly sealed windows. They can allow for greater warm air leakage, which can drastically spike your utility bills in the winter. Although window damage may be difficult to discern, some noticeable signs indicate problems, like:
- Cracks
- Splintered lines
- Holes
- Chips
- Shattered windows
- Extra moisture
When you are inspecting your windows after a storm, double-check your window frames as well for any cracks, dents, or other issues. If you’re not sure whether or not a problem may be considered a significant concern, it’s best to consult with a window repair technician for assistance. Get a window inspection to avoid the lingering effects of faulty windows, including mold and high energy bills.
Prepare Your Home for Every Season
Creating a yearly care plan for your home’s exterior is a great way to preserve its integrity throughout the years. There are many excellent ways to keep your home’s exterior in great condition, including:
- Seasonal maintenance
- Winterization
- Preparation
- Timely repairs and replacements
- Working with a knowledgeable home repair specialist
If you’re unsure where to start, consider reaching out to the trusted roofing and exterior home specialists at Advantage Construction to help you every step of the way. Our professional team can assess damage and craft a customized repair or replacement plan, including high-quality material and style recommendations. We will even help you file an insurance claim to maximize your financial reimbursement.
Keep Your Home’s Exterior in Great Condition
The bottom line is that you need to replace any of these critical exterior structures when damages happen to prevent further issues from developing. Whether severe storms ravaged your home’s exterior, a fire melted your vinyl siding, or your child hit a baseball through your window, you need to act fast to continue maintaining the key components of your home’s exterior.
Contact a reliable exterior home repair company like Advantage Construction to assess your damage, offer homeowner’s insurance assistance, and help you every step of the way.
