Fall in Missouri can be hot one day and freezing cold the next. It won't be long though until the cold settles in to stay. There are a few things that you should do to make sure your home is ready for that to happen. Our mid-Missouri renovation company has made a list for you in today's blog. Some of these things were suggested in our Get Your Home Ready For Fall Weather blog, but just in case you missed doing them before now, they are worth mentioning again.  


Inspect Your Heating System
Make sure that your heating system is in good working condition now so that you don't have to suffer any extremely cold nights waiting for someone to have time to come out and fix it later. If you will be using a fireplace, start stocking up on wood and have a professional clean the chimney before you begin using it.  

Weatherize
Doors and windows need to be checked for drafts, and any damaged caulk should be replaced. You will also want to make sure that there is no insulation missing from where it should be. Both of these things will keep the cold air out and the heat in, plus it will keep your energy bills lower.  

Have a Pest Plan
Cold weather causes bugs, rodents, and other creepy crawlies to seek warmth and shelter inside your home. Make sure that the places you don't spend a lot of time in, like the attic, an unfinished basement, or crawl spaces, don't have any spots where these creatures can sneak in. If so, get them sealed up right away.  

Check Your Pipes
Water needs to be drained out of all of the pipes on the outside of your house so that it doesn't freeze during the cold weather. The ice can expand to the point that the pipes will burst, causing water leaks and big problems. Also, drain and put away hoses so that they will be in good shape when spring rolls around and you need them again. 

Check the Gutters... Again
As we've mentioned before, due to all of those falling leaves this time of year, your gutters will need to be cleaned out at least a few times, possibly a lot more depending on where you live. Anything left in your gutters can cause blockage, and in the winter ice and snow can turn into ice dams, expand, and damage the gutters which could mean water damage to your home later on.  

Reverse Ceiling Fans
Hot air rises, and if you set your ceiling fan to turn clockwise at a low speed during cold months it will pull the cool air up. This updraft, in turn, will also push the warm air down and throughout the room. In the warmer months, a counter-clockwise direction pushes the cooler air down to the floor.    

Check Smoke Detectors
You are going to be spending a lot more time inside the house once the weather gets cold, so you want to make sure it is safe to spend all of that time in. Test the smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. Actually, you really should do that once a month. Batteries should be changed every time daylight savings time occurs. No particular reason, but if you relate those two things with each other it just makes it easier to remember to do it.


Taking care of those tasks will help to keep your house warm and cozy all winter long. If you do run across any problems while you are going down this checklist, give the experts at Midwest Renovation a call at 1-866-230-5415 and let us help you out. We will make sure any necessary repairs or updates are taken care of in a timely, cost-efficient, and professional way so that your home is ready for anything and will last a long, long time. 

Autumn will be here in just a couple of weeks, and with it, a new set of seasonal weather. Midwest Renovation has a few fall maintenance tips for you so that your home stays in great shape through all of it. Many you can take care of yourself, but a few you might want to hand off to the professionals at our Missouri renovation company. 


Clean Out Gutters
Unfortunately, due to all the leaves that fall this time of year, you may have to do this task more than once before the season is over. Clogged gutters can cause water to flow down on your home rather than away from it, and in the winter the clogs may form ice dams that do the same and can damage the gutters. These water leaks can cause issues with the walls, foundation, and more over time. Gutter guards may be an option for you to help with this. 

Check Outside Water Spigots
Water needs to be drained out of all pipes on the outside of your house so that it doesn't freeze on cold nights and cause cracks, which cause water leaks. This could mean a flood in your home once spring rolls around and you turn the faucets back on. Also, drain and disconnect hoses and put them away for the season so they'll be ready to use again next year. 

Have Your Roof Inspected
You can climb up there and take a look, but this is one task that is best left to the experts. Sometimes roof damage is small enough to be overlooked by the untrained eye, but these small problems lead to big ones down the road. One obvious problem that can usually be spotted more easily is shingles that are curling, cracking, or buckling. If your roof isn't in its best shape, rain will make its way into the house and cause a variety of huge problems. Calling our mid-Missouri roofing experts will get you a FREE inspection and quote for any work we feel needs to be done, and we will never suggest anything that isn't necessary. 


Inspect Your Fireplace
Dampers that aren't working properly don't do the job they are there for, and anything blocking the air flow will need to be removed. If you notice any cracks in the chimney or it appears to be leaning, then it's time to ask for expert help. 

Seal Doors and Windows
A good quality caulk can fix any cracks in door and window seals. This will help to keep your energy bill lower by preventing heat from escaping. If you see cracks anywhere else, like around the doors and windows beyond the seals, or cracks in the walls, you will want to let Midwest Renovation take a look. 

Inspect Concrete
Concrete surfaces around and on your home, such as driveways and foundations, should be free of cracks. If these are not sealed before snow falls, they will only get bigger and harder to fix. 

Check the Attic
Colder weather causes pests to seek warmth, often inside your home. They will be found in areas that you generally aren't in as much, like the attic, and they may also get into the vents. Making sure there are no holes for them to come in can help to avoid this. Also check that you have proper insulation in place while you are up there. This is another great way to keep your energy bills low. 


Now is the time to take a look around the outside of your house and find any possible problems that need to be taken care of before the weather gets too cold to want to do it. It's also a wonderful time to give our construction company servicing all of Missouri a call at 866-230-5415 and schedule your FREE inspection. 

Yearly inspections are the best way to make sure everything in your home is working the way it should, allowing it to last for a long, long time. Midwest Renovation is staffed with highly trained, certified inspectors that know exactly what to look for, and how to take care of any problems that may be found. Trust us to keep your home in tip-top shape, all year long.   

Summer is finally here! Early in the season, before it gets too terribly hot, is a great time to take care of those home maintenance tasks you didn't get to in the spring. Our Missouri residential and commercial renovation company has put together a list of things you should check to make sure your home is in its best condition for the season. 


Preventative Care
The following things may not need any attention at all, but they need to be checked at least once a year, just to make sure. Catching problems early is the easiest way to save yourself from bigger, costly fixes later on. 

• Have your roof inspected. 
  This is a good time to get on top of that roof and check for any damage that occurred over the winter or during any of those spring storms. Even the smallest deterioration could let in water or other elements that can cause damage to the house. If you aren't exactly sure what to look for, or you just don't want to climb up there, give us a call. We offer free roof inspections in Missouri by trained professionals.  
• Check pipes & hoses for leaks.
  Outdoor faucets and spigots definitely need to be looked at because they will be getting a lot of use over the summer, and if they are damaged, water could seep back into the house. Indoor pipes should be inspected for leaks too, as well as the hoses going to your washer, ice maker, toilets, dishwasher, etc...  
• Inspect attics, basements, & crawl spaces.
  All kinds of things can happen in the areas of your home that you don't spend a lot of time in, and in places like crawl spaces that you probably never see. Take the time to look around for signs of water leaks, like mold and mildew. Small "critters," like bugs or rodents, may have tried to move in at some point, and you want to get rid of them right away. In the attic, turn off the lights and look for signs of light making its way in. This could signal cracks that need to be sealed up.  
• Check for cracks.
  Other areas in your home can develop cracks from normal deterioration over time. Areas to keep an eye on are the foundation, walls around doorways and windows, exterior walls, and concrete flooring.  

General Maintenance
Making sure everything in and around your house is in good, working condition is the best way to make sure that it all lasts for a long time. Summer is a good time to take care of these general home maintenance tasks.

• Clean windows and screens.
  Now that the weather is so nice, it's the perfect time to make sure the outside of the windows are as clean as the inside. While you are taking care of that, take a close look to make sure no damage has happened since you last checked. Give your window screens a good washing too, and repair or replace any that are torn. If you're at the point of needing new windows, Midwest Renovation carries and installs quality windows that are energy efficient and available in custom sizes and shapes. 
• Make sure AC is ready for the summer.
  The easiest way to keep your heating and cooling systems doing their job is to replace filters regularly. Once a year you really should have a professional inspect it to make sure it will keep you cool all season long. The drain line needs to clean and kept clear to prevent clogging, which can cause water to back up into the house. 
• Reverse your ceiling fans.
  Another way to keep your home cool is to switch your ceiling fans to spin counter-clockwise. This causes them to push the cold air down, creating a nice, cool breeze. While you're up there flipping the switch, give them a good dusting too. 
• Drain the water heater. 
  Sediment can build up inside your water heater, especially if you have hard water, which will raise your energy bills, could cause the water heater to stop working, and possibly cause water backups and leaks. A yearly check can keep this under control.  

Curb appeal is an important aspect for the value of your home, and it also just feels good to love the way the outside of your house looks. There are lots of improvements that our construction company in mid-Missouri can do for you to make your curb appeal even better. Among these is providing the best quality exterior siding. If you're unsure about putting new siding on your home, Midwest Renovations has a few reasons why this could be a good idea. 


Pieces of Siding Are Loose or Damaged
If some siding is falling down or if you see holes in it, those pieces should be replaced immediately. These damages can allow water and/or pests to get underneath the siding and cause a number of different problems inside the building. Keep a special eye on wood siding, because it is possible for dry rot to form, which is not always visible to the naked eye. Someone from our Missouri renovation company can come out for a free inspection to see if this is happening where you are.

Mold & Mildew Are Appearing
Any mold, mildew, or fungus growing on your siding is a sure sign that water is seeping in someplace. After a period of time, this can cause wallpaper inside to loosen or interior paint to begin peeling. 

Siding Looks Faded
Time can be tough on siding after many years, especially if it has never been power washed. Upgrading to new exterior siding will make your home look brand new and increase the value, should you choose to sell it at some point. 

Your Heating & Cooling Costs Have Skyrocketed 
Siding is not usually where you begin the search to discover why your heating and cooling bills have gotten considerably more expensive than they used to be, but it is a possibility. When you've checked the insulation and other places that could be the problem and found none, new exterior siding could solve it.


If you have noticed any of the above problems happening to the siding on your building, or if you don't have siding and would like to make that change, give Midwest Renovation a call. One of our certified inspectors will do a thorough inspection to find any and all problems, and then they will analyze and plan any necessary improvements until everything is fixed and you are completely satisfied with the results. 

These inspections are always done at no cost or obligation to you, and you'll deal with the same person from start to finish. Our construction company serving all of Missouri only uses the highest quality exterior siding from the most trusted companies, so you know the work done will last for years to come. One call gets the ball rolling, so what are you waiting for? Reach out to us today! 

Last week Midwest Renovation's blog covered some common reasons that your roof might leak. This week we are going to share a few of the dangers that a leaky roof can cause for both you and the building you are in, home or office. Our team of storm damage experts in mid-Missouri know what to look for to keep you safe, and how to fix any problems that they may find before anyone gets hurt. 



Attic and Ceiling Damage
It will come as no surprise that a leak coming from the roof of a building is bad news for the top of it, namely the attic and upper ceiling. Attics are a prime space to store items that you don't use on a daily basis, and when water finds its way into one, not only is the room in danger of being ruined, but so are the entire contents of that room. 

When the various pieces of this upper floor become damaged, such as the ceiling joists, rafters, and even the wall framing, the building does not retain the strength needed to keep it standing as it should. Once things begin rotting and deteriorating, the structure can be in danger of collapsing. 

Mold and Mildew
When warmth, humidity, and organic materials are present, mold and mildew are very likely to begin growing. Once these are inside your home, they can spread throughout the rest of the house via the HVAC system, settling in carpets, furniture, and even clothing, where they will keep growing and spreading. Mold is very hard to get rid of completely once it is present, and it can be extremely expensive to remove.  

Black mold is the most dangerous type that can form in a building. Non-toxic black mold ruins the various parts that make up your home, and toxic black mold, which is rare but does occur, attacks the people inside. A few of the health problems that it can cause are: 

• fatigue
• cold & flu symptoms
• sore throats
• headaches
• rashes, muscle aches and fatigue
• respiratory problems

Additional Building Dangers
In addition to the structural damage we spoke of earlier, roof leaks are also notorious for finding their way to the wiring in your home, which can pose the danger of shorting out the electric and even the possibility of an electrical fire. Insulation will also become deteriorated when it gets wet. This will cause it to be ineffective, reducing its energy efficiency and raising the cost of utility bills.  

Additional Personal Dangers
Anyone inside of a building with the problems listed above is in harm's way. The structural damage makes it dangerous to be inside the home at all, and there is always the possibility of getting shocked or burnt when the interior wiring gets wet. Puddles of water also raise the risk of residents slipping, falling, and hurting themselves. 



The team at our renovation company covering Missouri is professionally trained and certified to search for leaks before they are a problem, and also to fix any problems that are already there. Inspections are always completed at no cost or obligation to you, and we'll go over all of the details with you before any work begins. Midwest Renovation is here to keep your home or office in it's best shape and to keep everyone inside safe and sound.  



Jefferson City, MO 65109

Roof leaks are more common than most people realize, but unfortunately, they are often overlooked because they are not in an easy area to spot. Our mid-Missouri roofing company gets a lot of calls from customers that found out the hard way that they had a leaky roof, due to horrible damage to their home. If you are aware of the things that could cause a roof to leak, you may be able to stop a problem before it happens. 


The staff at Midwest Renovation are experts in knowing what to look for and making repairs to keep your home safe and secure. Here are a few of the most common reasons we find leaks in roofs. Some seem obvious, but there are a few that may surprise you.

Shingle Damage
Roofs are installed to handle a lot and last a long time, but years of exposure to the elements will eventually take its toll. If you have a home that was built a very long time ago, there is also the risk that the shingles used back then were not up to the higher standards of today. Replacing cracked or damaged shingles may save you from having to replace an entire roof. Even if the problem is as simple as an exposed nail, the hole from that dislodged nail is a place for water to start seeping into the house.  

Damaged Roof Flashing
Flasing is a thin piece of metal that covers a transition point in a roof, creating a water-resistant barrier. This can crack or corrode over time, which means the flashing can't do the job it was meant to do. Checking it regularly will alert you of any wear and tear before it's too late.  

Bad Seals On Skylights and Vents
Skylights, if not measured exactly, can be a problem due to improper installation. The insulation can also decay over time. If you notice water filling more easily than usual at the downhill slope, a leak may be beginning to form. The seals around the vents in the top of your roof also run the risk of decaying from their exposure to natural elements. 

Cracked Chimney
A chimney is an actual giant hole in your roof. Precautions are taken to keep outside elements out of it, but over time those may not help enough. Bad flashing is the most common reason that a chimney can leak, but the mortar used to hold it together can crack over time, letting in small amounts of water which eventually lead to large amounts of water if not fixed. 

Gutter Problems
Gutters are put in place to keep water away from your roof, but if not taken care of properly, they can do more damage than good. Not clearing out debris that has collected in your gutters will cause water to back up, and with nowhere else to go, it will flow towards your roof. Pooling water will eventually find it's way into small cracks. Don't think this is only a problem in autumn when leaves are falling. Water in the winter can freeze, causing ice dams which also block gutter flow and can even cause cracks. 



Getting up on the top of your roof isn't always the easiest task for a homeowner, and it could be dangerous. Instead, give Midwest Renovation a call and let us check for damage for you. Our storm damage inspectors are highly trained and certified, and our inspections are always free and completed at no obligation to you. 

If a problem is found, we will discuss the options that our trusted renovation company in mid-Missouri can offer to get your roof back in excellent shape, keeping your home or business dry and safe. Check back next week to find out about the dangers that a leaky roof can cause.   



Jefferson City, MO 65109

Inspecting your roof regularly and making little fixes as needed can prevent some costly repairs down the road - but how do you know if you need a new roof? It's important to pay attention to damage on or around your roof and we want to share a quick at home exterior checklist you can do yourself. If you do notice damage, Midwest Renovations offers customers free roof inspections in Missouri, and if repair is needed, we are your choice contractors for quality roof repair.

Exterior Checklist - What to look for

1. Roof Age

2. Gutters

The leaves are turning and the temperatures are definitely getting colder. Now's the time to think about some simple home maintenance tips before the weather changes completely. The best renovation company in Missouri has a few tips to help you get your house ready. If you do find issues with your roof, gutters, chimney, or other structural issues with your home, give us a call right away! We have free consultations on all of our services, and can help you with all of your commercial or residential renovations in Missouri!



Tips to get your house ready for the Fall

2. Seal those cracks - Use good quality caulk to seal up your windows and doors.  This will help your energy bill by preventing heat from escaping, and is probably the least expensive maintenance item. While you are doing the sealing, check your walls/windows/doors for cracks and other damage.  If you see any, give us a call to take a look!

3. Inspect your Fireplace - Check for blockages and check that the damper is working correctly.  If you see cracks or a leaning chimney, we can take a look at that for you.

4. Inspect your Roof - or better yet, have us come out to do a free inspection. Look to see if shingles are curling, cracking or buckling.  Check all flashings around pipes and chimneys.  If you have any leaks or gaps, rain will always find a way in.

5. Check your outside water spigots and disconnect any hoses. - Make sure all pipes are free of water. If you don't drain the water found in them, you can have a pipe develop a leak and flood your home when spring comes.

6. Check your driveway and other concrete services for cracks. - Seal them now before the snow comes this winter.  If you have extensive cracking or other issues with your concrete, give us a call to take a look at your options!

7. Check your attic for proper insulation - and look at your vents as well. Pests love to congregate in homes when the weather outside gets colder, and any attic openings can provide a way in.  Having proper insulation will ensure your energy bills stay low.  If you would like a home energy audit, we can help you.

Remember, fall is the time to take care of your home before the harsh weather, snow, and ice are here. Our Missouri renovation company hopes that these tips are helpful!



What Can We Do For You 
If anything listed above sounds like something you need, give us a call at 866-230-5415 and we'll send one of our professionals your way for a free consultation. If you don't see the service that you need, call anyway and tell us all about it. There is a good chance that our mid-Missouri renovation company will be able to help you out. We look forward to working with you.