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.   

Rain gutters may not appear to be that important, but they actually play a big part in keep your home safe from flooding, damage, and premature wear-and-tear. They need regular upkeep, and if they are damaged or have pulled away from the house, you'll want to call the best home renovation company in Missouri to fix the problem right away. 


Gutters are there to funnel rain off of the roof and away from your home, which protects the house from damage. If you don't take care of problems before rainy weather hits, the following things could happen that may cause costly repairs for you in the future.

Water Staining
Stone and brick masonry will stain if they have extended contact with water. Without a good gutter system in place, this is sure to happen. Having siding isn't any better, because the water will get underneath it. 

Roof Leaks
When gutters are not in good shape, they can cause water to run under the shingles on your roof rather than redirecting it away from the house. This will eventually lead to leaks in the roof. It's not just rain, but snow too that can cause problems, because as it melts, that water will need to be funneled away from your home. 

Cracking
It can be impossible to prevent cracking of sidewalks, patios, and driveways from happening over time, but it will happen much quicker than it needs to if your gutters are letting water rush over, and in some cases underneath, them. Damage can also happen to doors and windows when water isn't redirected away from them.  

Damaged Foundation
If the gutters are not directing water away from the house, it will fall straight down and run against the building's foundation. Over time, this can cause cracks in the foundation to begin forming. 

Erosion
That water that is falling directly next to the home will also displace the soil and any landscaping nearby. You end up with a moat instead of the flowers and shrubs you planted there. 

Flooding
That moat will eventually begin making its way into your basement, causing leaks and possible flooding. This is extremely possible if there are any cracks in your foundation, which is another symptom of not having gutters that work properly. 


Midwest Renovation can take a look at your gutter system to make sure that it is working properly, and we can install one if your home doesn't have one yet. This small detail can make a huge difference when it comes to preserving the length of a house's life. Our mid-Missouri roofing company knows what to look for and how to fix any problems that may arise when we inspect your roof. Let us take a look so that you can rest assured that your home is in the best shape it can possibly be. 

Roofs are a tough part of your home or office building to keep a close eye on. Small damage can go unnoticed, allowing it to grow and become a huge problem, often with no warning. Our storm damage restoration experts in Missouri know the little signs to look for so a problem can be caught early, before it causes too much trouble. Today, Midwest Renovation has a few warning signs that you can keep an eye out for. 


Damage Around the Building
After a storm that produced hail, look at the areas surrounding your building. Damage to trees around your home or office means that there is a good chance some damage may have happened to the roof. That same weather that nature took on happened to your building too. Severe damage to the area around your home is a sure sign that you should have the roof looked at.   

Visible Damage on the Building
There are many higher parts of your home that can be seen from the ground, at the correct point of view. Look out for signs of damage on areas that you can see, which will indicate the possibility of damage higher up on the roof. Some of these could be: 

• Dents in siding
• Bent, sagging, or damaged gutters
• Dented vents
• Water leaks from any part of your ceiling

Damage Clues on the Roof
If you see any of the things listed above, having a professional take a look at the roof of your building is a wise idea. Obvious damage, like large dents or cracks in shingles, aren't always what you will find. Hail actually needs to be larger than golf-ball-sized to break through roofing material. 

It's the harder-to-spot damage that causes the surprise problems down the road. They also age your roof prematurely, not allowing it to last as long as it was built to last. Rather than a big hole, hail is more likely to leave a soft spot, or bruise, on your roof. While not an immediate problem, these bruises can cause cracks that spread and eventually allow water to leak through and enter your home or office.

Another small difference that isn't always easy to notice is loosened or missing granules in the roofing material. Over time, the loss of these granules can expose the asphalt coating of the roof to more bad weather and shorten the roof's lifespan tremendously.  


Catch Hidden Damage Early 
It's always better to be safe than sorry, and when you give the best roofing company in mid-Missouri a call, it doesn't cost you anything to have your roof checked out! All of our inspections are always completed at no cost to you, and you only have to hire us afterwards if you choose to. Our storm damage experts are highly trained and are required to pass a rigorous certification process before heading out into the field.  

Not only do we know what to look for and how to fix it when it comes to storm damage to a commercial or residential building, but we understand the complexities of insurance claims too. We work with any insurance company, and you can even begin filing your claim directly from the Midwest Renovation website. As an added bonus, we can also finance any portion of your deductible for up to 12 months with 0% interest. If you are even slightly worried that your roof could have hail or other storm damage, or if it has been over a year since your last inspection, let us take a look. You'll rest easier once you do. 

Storm damage in Missouri to homes and other buildings is a very common occurrence. When Mother Nature decides to throw bad weather your way, all you can really do is wait until it's over and get ready to pick up when it's done. If this happens to you, our Missouri storm damage experts can get your home or office back to normal, and in most cases, even better than before! Midwest Renovation has put together a list of things that you should do immediately after storm damage happens.


Assess the Damage
Once the storm has safely passed, you will need to take a look around and see what damage has been done. Be very cautious of downed power lines, the smell of gas, or anything that could cause more trouble if not handled immediately. You'll also need to board up broken windows and do any other quick fixes you can to keep more damage from happening before someone can get there to fix it. 

Make a note of the date and time of the storm, and take photos of everything. You never know what information will be most important to your insurance company later, so the more proof of damage you have, the easier it will be to get it covered.

Call Midwest Renovation
If you end up with big damage that has to be taken care of before you can safely inhabit the building, like a tree through your roof or a hole in the side of the house, give our mid-Missouri renovation company a call right away. We have a 24-hour emergency line available 7 days a week at 573-635-5412.

We can come out and perform a free damage assessment and let you know exactly what is wrong, what needs to be done, and how quickly it needs to be addressed. Our storm damage inspectors are certified and highly trained, and the same friendly representative will be with you from the inspection through completion of the job if you decide to hire us.   


Review Your Insurance Policy
Before contacting your insurance company, you will want to take a look at your policy. This will help you to understand what should be covered and what may not be covered under. Going to them with a little knowledge already under your belt can give you an extra edge. 

Report the Damage
Most insurance companies allow you at least a year to make a claim, but they all vary, so double-check the guidelines for your particular company. The sooner you get it taken care of, though, the quicker the repairs can be approved by them. Midwest Renovation has people on our team that have worked in the insurance industry, so we know how everything works from both sides. For your convenience, you can begin an insurance claim directly from our website. We work well with all insurance companies, and as an added bonus, we can finance any portion of your deductible for up to 12 months with 0% interest!  


We all hope that it never happens to us, but if you do find your home or office the victim of storm damage, our Missouri storm damage repair team hopes that this list will help you to get everything fixed quickly and easily. As we mentioned, all of Midwest Renovation's inspections, estimates, and quotes are done at no charge to you, so you can feel comfortable giving us a call to find out exactly what we can do for you. Customer service is our #1 priority, and we hope that you give us the chance to show you what a wonderful job we can do. 

Our Missouri commercial and residential renovation company can handle a lot of different projects to make every type of improvement and repair to your home or office. No matter what you have in mind, the professionals at Midwest Renovation have the knowledge and expertise to make it happen. One simple improvement that you can make is adding awnings or shutters to your building. Here are a few reasons why. 


Improved Curb Appeal
By adding awnings or shutters to the outside of your home or business, it will immediately have a more interesting look to people passing by. There are a nice variety of colors and styles that you can use which add interest, texture, and dimension, making the building more appealing to look at. Boosted curb appeal is always a wonderful way to increase the value of a home. This is also an easy place to add a fun pop of color outside. 

Energy Saver
Your house can heat up quickly during the day from the energy transferred through window glass. This could mean high air conditioning bills during the already hot summer months. An awning over those windows is a great way to provide shade, allowing less heat to make its way into your home. Not all shutters are added just for looks. Many are functional and can be closed when the sun needs to be blocked, or simply for privacy, and opened back up when you are ready.


Weather Protection
You can even add larger awnings to an entire side of a house to help shade outdoor areas like decks or patios. Retractable awnings give you the added benefit of rolling them back when they are not needed. Not only does this protect everyone from the heat of the sun, but also from rain on days when it's still nice enough to be outside. If the rain is too much for you to be outdoors, your patio furniture is still protected from the inclement weather. This could mean that you don't have to rush to pull those furniture cushions indoors to keep them dry. Awnings can also help to shield the areas covered from sleet, hail, snow, and strong winds.     


There are lots of options when it comes to adding awnings or shutters to your home or office. Our Missouri construction company can meet with you to show you the different types that will work the best for your specific project.

Consultations and estimates from Midwest Renovation are always done at no charge to you, so you will always know the cost involved before any work begins. We will be happy to show you all of the possibilities available to you, and when you're ready, our team of experts will get the job done right. For this type of improvement, as well as any others you may be interested in for your home or business, give us a call.  

If you are looking for a commercial and residential contractor in Missouri that you can trust, there are a few things that you can do to make sure you find just the right one. With lots of choices out there, it may seem overwhelming to try to narrow it down. Midwest Renovation has a few steps for you to take to set your mind at ease. 


Look Locally
Searching for a construction company that is located far away from you may mean extra travel expenses, plus they won't be familiar with other businesses in the area they may need to work with. You should be able to find a contractor that is close to where you are. If they have been there for a while, it will be easy to find out how they conduct business through past customers. 

Hiring a local company means that you are supporting your community. Rates can be more competitive when you work with a local company too. They will also be nearby if needed for an emergency. Midwest Renovation has offices and agents throughout the state of Missouri, with the home office based out of Jefferson City. That puts us right in the middle, but with members of our team located all over the state. 

Research the Company
A great way to find out how a company operates is to check reviews. Past customers are generally very honest about their experience, especially if they were unhappy. While you are at it, make sure that the company you are considering is fully insured and licensed for the services they are offering.  

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) should have records on the company that you can check out. They have a strict rating system set into place to let consumers know the reputation of a business. Our mid-Missouri renovation company is very proud to boast an A+ rating from the BBB. 


Call & Ask Questions
Once you have some candidates in mind, give them a call and ask questions about your project and how that particular company would handle it. If you like the sound of what you hear, set up an in-person meeting to get to know them better. A simple conversation can tell you a lot about whether or not this is a company you can imagine yourself working with. When you meet, ask to see some examples of past work that they have completed. 

Talk About Cost
You will want to know what you are financially getting into before you get into it. Make sure that you believe the contractor you are working with will give you the best price for what you are asking. Midwest Renovation offers a free consultation and quote before we take on any job. We also can provide an itemized estimate so that you fully understand where your money is being used. 

If you are needing to repair damage, we also work easily with any insurance company, and you can conveniently file a claim directly from our website. 0% financing is available through our Missouri construction company for up to 12 months if you need assistance covering your insurance deductible. 


Ask About Materials
Not only do you want to make sure that the contractor you hire is the right one for the job, it will ease your mind to know that they will be using high-quality materials to complete the project. We pride ourselves in only using trusted brands that we know will stand the test of time. Some you may know already, but if not, we are always happy to explain them to you.


Give Midwest Renovation A Call
As we always say, "One call does it all!" Contact our Missouri renovation company by calling 1-866-230-5415. We'll be happy to answer any and all questions that you have and set up a time for an in-person meeting for your free consultation and estimate. Customer satisfaction is a huge priority to us at Midwest Renovation, and we always work diligently to provide services that you can be 100% satisfied with. We would love to work with you soon! 

Our Missouri construction company offers a wide variety of services for new construction, remodeling, and storm damage repair. To do this, we also have a wide range of products that we have fully researched, seen in action, and know are the best quality to use for both commercial and residential construction. 


Occasionally we will use this blog to highlight some of those products. Today Midwest Renovation would like to tell you about Boral Versetta Stone®. This is a mortarless, cement-based, manufactured stone veneer. It gives you the impressive look of real, traditional stone masonry, but it is much easier to install, as well as a more affordable option. There are some great reasons why this may be a product you want to use on your home or office. 

• Fast & Easy
  This material does not need to be painted, coated, or sealed. It also does not need additional footings for support as real stone would. It is lightweight, and the entire project can be finished much quicker than traditional masonry would take. There are no seasonal restrictions on installation, so you can begin a project using this project any time of the year.
  
• Beautiful Outdoors & Indoors
  This incredible product not only gives the outside of a building an attractive look, but it can also be used for indoor projects. These photos demonstrate that wonderfully. 

photos from www.BoralAmerica.com

• Well-Built
  It is made with a light-weight, fiber-reinforced concrete, giving it a tensile and structural strength. It passed the freeze/thawing test and received a Class A fire resistance rating. In addition to that, this panelized stone veneer has been rated for wind resistance up to 110 MPH and found to be corrosion resistant for up to 60 years.
  
• Eco-Friendly
  Boral Versetta Stone® is made from a minimum of 50% recycled content, and that fact has been validated by UL Environment. It is also a National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center Green Approved product. 

As if those weren't enough reasons to convince you to take a closer look at Boral Versetta Stone®, the company also backs their product with a 50-year limited warranty. This is in addition to Midwest Renovation's own 5-year installation warranty for commercial and residential customers. 

It doesn't cost you anything to give the best Missouri renovation company a call at 1-866-230-5415 for a FREE consultation and estimate. Our knowledgeable agents will answer your questions and offer suggestions about where this type of product, or one of the many others that we have to offer, would look the best. Whether you are building a brand new home or updating a current location, we've got the experience, training and knowledge to get any job you need done right.