Summer is a great time to get outside and spruce up your yard and the outside of your home. You'll probably be spending a lot of time outdoors, so improving your curb appeal will make that a more pleasant experience. It's also a wonderful way to increase the value of a house and make a good impression on potential buyers. Midwest Renovation has a few ideas on how you can get the outside of your home looking it's best this time of year. 


Pressure Wash
We recently wrote about the benefits of pressure washing. It's a quick and cost effective way that our mid-Missouri renovation company can clean up your siding, driveway, and deck to make your house look like new. Removing the layers of dirt and grime that naturally build up over the year will greatly improve the look of any home. 

Paint the Exterior
If you have any type of painted wood on the outside of your home, like wooden siding, trim, or shutters, once it's been cleaned it may need a fresh coat of paint. Just like painting a room inside the house makes it feel fresh and new, the same goes for a paint update on the outside. For an added pop of color, you could even paint your front door a fun shade. If you come across any rotted pieces of wood, let our construction company in mid-Missouri take a look at it to see if it's an indication of bigger problems.   

Stain the Deck
This doesn't have to be done every year, but the protective stain on your house's deck will wear out over time. Depending on the type of stain used last, you should re-stain it every 2-4 years.  

Trim Trees & Brush
Get rid of any broken or dead limbs that are leftover from those spring storms, and trim up the bushes around your home to tame overgrown patches. Make sure the area around your AC unit is free of any plants or weeds. Take a good look at your yard and spot any areas that look bare. Now is a good time to put some fresh flowers in the ground or plant a new tree.  

Replace Exterior Lighting
A well-lit front porch and walkway are an important safety feature for any home. Updating old fixtures can greatly improve the curb appeal of the house and give it a stylish new look.  


Taking care of summer home maintenance inside and around your home keeps it in great shape for many years to come. Sprucing up the curb appeal outside not only gives you a wonderful place to hang out all season, but it also increases the value of the house. Some of these tasks can be handled by the homeowner, but if you'll be making repairs or updates that require a professional, give Midwest Renovation a call. We'll come out, take a look, and give you a quote at no cost to you.  

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.